Crusaders' pivot Richie Mo'unga scores a try against the Waratahs last season.

Richie Mo'unga's work ethic, humility and desire to continually improve will ensure he doesn't suffer the dreaded second season syndrome.

It's not uncommon for Super Rugby players to make an initial impact in their rookie campaign, then come unstuck in later seasons as opposition sides work out flaws in their game.

Crusaders' assistant coach Brad Mooar is adamant Mo'unga, who re-signed through until the end of the 2019 season on Friday, will be just as effective as last year.

Stephen Haag Crusaders first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga doesn't want to rest on his laurels in 2017.

The 22-year-old playmaker won the race for the Crusaders' starting 10 jersey at the beginning of last season from Marty McKenzie and Ben Volavola, now at the Melbourne Rebels.

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Mo'unga scored a try in his first Super Rugby game against the Chiefs and impressed so much, he started in all 16 games.

"Our job is to make him better and better all the time. We've spoken about the second season blues thing," Mooar said.

"To me that just doesn't exist if you want to get better all the time. As a first five-eighth there's a lot of attention on him regardless what season it is."

Mo'unga and his Crusader teammates were put through their paces at Redcliffs' Barnett Park on Friday, completing their first week of training since linking up after the Christmas break.

He was chuffed to have his long-term future secured and said it was a "no-brainer", being a proud Cantabrian, who had come through St Andrew's College and the Linwood club.

Mo'unga was the fourth leading point-scorer in Super Rugby last season with 179 points and acknowledged opposition sides would focus on him more heavily.

"I'm not just going to rely on what happened last year. It's a new year and a new team and a new group.

"I guess players might target me a bit more ... It's about playing my own game and not doing anything differently. Just going through my same processes."

Goal kicking and defence were two areas Mo'unga wanted to become stronger in during his second season of Super Rugby.

While Mo'unga was relatively new to Super Rugby, Mooar pointed out he had done his time, playing four seasons of NPC with Canterbury and also impressing with Linwood.

Mo'unga was outstanding for the red-and-blacks in last year's 43-27 NPC premiership final win over Tasman, scoring two tries and setting up several others.

"It seems like his elevation has been really quick, but he's an example of a guy, who's been patient. He's come through each step," Mooar said.

"He's leaned on the clubrooms bar with legends of the game at Linwood and talked about rugby and life and how that works."

Having Mo'unga locked in through to 2019 gave the Crusaders long-term clarity in their backline.

Mo'unga had only scratched the surface of his potential and would be better for last year's Super Rugby experience, Mooar believed.

"He's a real Crusader of the future.

"You don't want those guys that are going to be the spine of your team, and will hopefully be 100 game players, going off contract."

Mooar confirmed the Crusaders had a "full muster" to select from for their season opener against the Brumbies in Christchurch on February 25, apart from injured All Blacks' captain Kieran Read and Fijian flyer Jone Macilai.

Read isn't expected to be available until early April after undergoing wrist surgery in December. Macilai is set to miss most of the season with a knee injury.

The Crusaders' first pre-season match is against the Highlanders in Darfield on February 4.