There's not many clichés you'll hear from rugby players more than the one about player depth creating healthy competition.

But nobody could blame Crusaders wing George Bridge for going there when discussing his team's immense depth in the outside backs ahead of their Super Rugby title defence.

The 2017 Crusaders rookie of the year, who bagged eight tries playing on the left‑wing last season, sure knows he has his work cut out if he's to match his first year in the competition.

He's not wrong.

Not when Crusaders coach Scott Robertson have the options with the likes of Israel Dagg, Seta Tamanivalu, Manasa Mataele or Jone Macilai on the wing.

Bridge, who scored two hat‑tricks last season, was thrust into action sooner than many expected last year, partly because Dagg missed a chunk of the season with a knee injury and Macilai also with a knee injury missed the entire season.

Macilai is back to full fitness and Dagg, who is yet to rejoin the squad from an extended break, is also expected to be available come the Crusaders' season opener against the Chiefs in Christchurch on February 24.

Assuming Robertson starts the new season the way he finished last year – starting David Havili at fullback and Tamanivalu and Dagg on the wings – Bridge and the rest of the outside backs will be scrapping it out for playing time.

Source: stuff.co