• Former All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg says his former team the Crusaders are "hated with a passion".
• The Crusaders are Super Rugby's most successful team with 10 titles.
• Dagg says they are the favourites to also win New Zealand's inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Former All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg claims opposition players "absolutely hate" the Crusaders.

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Dagg, who played 89 games for the Crusaders, told Sky Sports UK that "people have something against" the men from Christchurch who have won Super Rugby a record 10 times

Dagg, nowadays days a television pundit, added: "I know playing other teams and talking to players from other teams - I'd have a lot of friends in other teams - they absolutely hate the Crusaders.

"They never say why, but they just hate them with a passion. People have something against them, so they will come out full guns blazing."

Dagg also spoke about New Zealand's Super Rugby Aoteroa which started this past weekend and had no doubt the Crusaders are the team to beat in that event as well.

"They have to be favourites and the team to beat, and not just because I played for them and my heart lies with them.

"They've got the squad to do the deeds. They've got a back-line which is a Ferrari and a forward pack which is a Rolls Royce - they've got it all."

The Crusaders has a bye in last weekend's opening round and will open their campaign against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Sunday (05:35 SA time).

Dagg, 32, played 66 Tests for the All Blacks between 2010 and 2017.

- Compiled by Sport24 staff