On the eve of the Super Rugby season, we look at the burning questions facing the all-star Brumbies roster and whether they've got what it takes to beat the best teams in the competition.

The Brumbies have been knocking on the door of the trophy cabinet for the past three years, but they've fallen just short on all occasions. Many predict this is the year they must walk away as winners given they'll lose Stephen Moore, Matt Toomua, Joseph Tomane and it's likely David Pocock will join them for a sabbatical. The foundations are in place and almost every player has some sort of finals experience. So there are no excuses for failing in their mission. They're no longer a team of youngsters causing upsets, they've broken the shackles of a strict game plan to be more expansive and they've won finals in South Africa. The Brumbies boast one of the strongest core groups in the competition, but coach Stephen Larkham has to get them pulling in the same direction.

Several Brumbies stars were left burnt and heartbroken when they lost the 2003 World Cup final to England. Those players included Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Stirling Mortlock, Joe Roff and Matt Giteau. With that sour taste in their mouths, they conquered Super Rugby to win the title the following year. More than a decade later, the Brumbies are still waiting for their next championship moment. And now they've got a group of players who know what it's like to lose a World Cup final. Stephen Moore, David Pocock, Scott Sio, Scott Fardy, Tevita Kuridrani and Matt Toomua were part of the team that lost to the All Blacks in the World Cup final last year, while Henry Speight, Joseph Tomane and Sam Carter were also in the squad. Will that heartbreak drive them to Super Rugby redemption?

Coach Stephen Larkham has managed to lock down a key group of players at a time when cashed-up overseas clubs throw plenty of money at players in a bid to lure them abroad. Seventeen of the Brumbies' extended squad have stuck together over the past three years to try to build something special. Now they have their chance to shine with 13 internationals in the squad. Larkham recruited Tomas Cubelli to replace Nic White, but only made minor changes to his roster to ensure there's continuity. The Brumbies have promised more attacking freedom this year as they chase tries. But they also boasted the best defence in the competition last year, conceding just 21 tries on their way to a preliminary final.

The Waratahs loom as the biggest object standing in the Brumbies' way of a guaranteed finals berth, and the two Australian rivals will go head to head in round two of the season. The Brumbies have beaten the Waratahs in just one of their past six matches, including the 2014 semi-final and a trial match in Wagga this month. With the new Super Rugby format scrapping Australian home-and-away derbies, the Brumbies must beat the Waratahs in at least one of their clashes to make sure they don't slip down the ladder. The new draw will see the Brumbies play the Waratahs and the Western Force twice in a home-and-away series, but the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels only once each.

They say you need depth to be a title contender, and that's exactly what the Brumbies have got this year. While they don't have Wallabies warming the bench, they've got a group of players who are bursting with talent and waiting for an opportunity. Jordan Smiler is back for an unexpected season after getting out of his deal in France to stay in Canberra for family reasons. Smiler was one of the Brumbies' best players last season, even though his starting opportunities were rare. Then there's Jarrad Butler, Allan Alaalatoa, Andrew Smith, Blake Enever and Nigel Ah Wong. Watch out for Alaalatoa to take big steps in his career this year, he's a prop on the rise.

Nic White and Jesse Mogg have provided the kicking excellence for the Brumbies in recent seasons, with their superb touch finders and long-range goal kicking changing the game at crucial times. Young gun Nick Jooste is well known for his big boot, but he's still settling into his new Canberra surroundings and is focused on developing other areas of his game, not just kicking. Christian Lealiifano will have goal-kicking duties, with Matt Toomua as the back-up. But who's there to step up if the Brumbies' need to slot a goal from 50 metres out to win the game? Time will tell if they've got the legs to make the distance.

You're a genius if you can figure out the Super Rugby draw, who it benefits and who it will hit the hardest. For the Brumbies, not much changes in terms of travelling or opponents. They'll play Japan in the regular season, but avoid Argentina until a potential finals clash. One of the easiest ways to simplify is the 6-5-4 system. That means the Brumbies play six matches against Australian teams, five against New Zealand opponents and four from South Africa. It doesn't explain the complicated finals system and the way the draw rotates every second year. But it's a start for what is a confusing system for players, coaches and fans.