The early season favourites tag has already been pinned to the Chiefs as they bid to add to their Super Rugby championship haul.

But if you ask Chiefs and All Black flanker Liam Messam, they're dead keen to avoid such labels.

Chiefs and All Black Liam Messam is expecting big things from the side's forwards in order to lay the platform for a star-studded backline this season. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Five months of poring over game footage and the rigors of a summer preseason come to fruition in varying degrees for teams over the coming weeks as Super Rugby 2015 kicks into gear.

The Waratahs might have edged the Crusaders in last year's final for their first crown, but rest assured a blockbuster season is ahead given a certain William Webb Ellis trophy is waiting around the corner.

And nestled away in their home base of Ruakura, Hamilton, the Chiefs are plotting their assault on a third Super Rugby title in four years, having bowed out in last year's finals to the Brumbies 32-20.

'We took some massive learnings out of last season, but we should be there or there abouts come the end of the season,” says Messam, who is heading into his 10th campaign with the Chiefs.

'The boys are already close like always and they have worked hard. The skill level is where it should be for the start of the season and the boys are chomping at the bit to get back out there.”

An impressive offseason of recruitment sees the Chiefs boast yet another stacked team, with the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Hosea Gear waiting in the wings.

One to keep an eye out on is 20-year-old Damien McKenzie, who is expected to vie for the No. 10 jersey in place of a rested Aaron Cruden in the opening rounds.

McKenize was impressive in his first season of the ITM Cup in 2014 along with starring for the NZ Under-20 side.

In 2012, Williams was a crucial cog in the Chiefs maiden Super Rugby title tilt, with his ability to offload in the tackle and sheer size in the midfield - something desperately needed in 2015 if they are to recapture that winning form.

But Messam concedes the hard yards need to be put in up front in order to unleash the big names out wide – an area where Bay of Plenty's Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick, Johan Bardoul and Nathan Harris come into the spotlight.

'I know everyone is going to be talking about our backline which is good,” he says. 'But at the end of the day our forwards need to step up and take it to another level this season so we can unleash our backs.

'It's no good having a star-studded backline if we can't give them the ball they need. That will be one crucial factor we will be working towards.”

First up is tomorrow's Chiefs versus Blues game at QBE Stadium, North Harbour – posing the Chiefs' coaches some selection challenges.

'There has been some difficult decisions with a lot of competition for places,” says head coach Dave Rennie. 'We're rapt with the side we have picked but realise it will be a big challenge at North Harbour.”

In the front row Hika Elliot makes his return to Super Rugby and is joined by props Pauliasi Manu and Ben Tameifuna.

Pre-season captain Matt Symons will continue to lead the side from lock and will be joined by Michael Fitzgerald, who is in his fourth season with the Chiefs.

There are two debutants in the loose forwards in Bay of Plenty's Johan Bardoul and No. 8 Maama Vaipulu, joining All Black and Steamers flanker Sam Cane who will rack up his 51st game for the Chiefs.

Brad Weber will start the match at halfback and is joined by NZ Under-20s player Damian Mckenzie, who has got the nod at first five-eighth.

In the midfield, Maori All Blacks captain Charlie Ngatai will join Sonny Bill Williams with James Lowe, Tim Nanai-Williams and Tom Marshall making up the back three.

The reserves feature four players who are expected to make their Chiefs debut. Prop Siate Tokolahi, lock Michael Allardice, first five-eighth Marty Mckenzie and winger Bryce Heem all have the potential to take the field for their first Chiefs cap.

Chiefs squad to face the Blues:

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Matt Symons ©
5. Michael Fitzgerald
6. Johan Bardoul *
7. Sam Cane
8. Maama Vaipulu*
9. Brad Weber
10. Damian McKenzie*
11. James Lowe
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Charlie Ngatai
14. Tim Nanai-Williams
15. Tom Marshall
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Jamie Mackintosh
18. Siate Tokolahi*
19. Michael Allardice*
20. Tevita Koloamatangi
21. Augustine Pulu
22. Marty McKenzie*
23. Bryce Heem*

*Chiefs debut