FIVE MEN UNDER PRESSURE TO PERFORM

01 SONNY BILL WILLIAMS [Blues]

He’s the marquee signing and he comes with a big reputation. A success-starved Auckland rugby public are desperate to see the Blues challenge at the right end of the table and there is an expectation that Williams is going to make an obvious impact in helping his new club do that.

Everyone knows how good he is, but they need to see it – need to see Williams at his best, smashing holes and playing others into them. He could inspire everyone to new heights. He’ll also want to make his own statement, let everyone know he’s still got the goods.

02 BRAD WEBER [Chiefs]

Was flying in the early part of last season but faded a little down the back straight. Has an energy and running game that enabled the Chiefs to play at a ferocious pace and was a big part of their early season success.

Has played his way to the cusp of All Blacks consideration, but can he now find that extra gear to make himself indispensable? Can he put together a full campaign of excellence?

03 JULIAN SAVEA [Hurricanes]

There’s no point sugar coating this and Savea knows it – he owes his side a big campaign. He didn’t deliver in 2015 and was dropped last year. The best wing in the world... and he was dropped by his club.

And they had no choice. Savea has his fitness in the best place it has been, he was in a good headspace at the end of the season and he has to use pre-season to get himself yet sharper and faster and give everything and more to the club that put him on the world stage.

04 MITCHELL DRUMMOND [Crusaders]

Andy Ellis has gone and now the stage is set for the next generation of halfbacks to make their mark at the Crusaders. And the first chance goes to Mitchell Drummond. He’s been around for a few seasons, been given cameos and the odd start.

Now he has to see if he is good enough to make regular starts and drive his team around the park. Can he offer the same workrate and decisionmaking as Ellis? Can he basically fill the giant hole that has been left?

05 LIAM COLTMAN [Highlanders]

He’s an All Black now and the expectation is that Liam Coltman will show that in everything he does. There will be pressure on him to take ownership of the set piece and to be a huge presence in the collisions and with ball in hand.

Can he inspire those around him to train harder, play harder and be better? Can he go for 65 minutes each week and deliver all that he needs to?