NSW readily admit there’s an aura surrounding the Crusaders, but that won’t stop them throwing three rookies into the deep end against the seven-time Super Rugby champions on Sunday at Allianz Stadium.
The Waratahs haven’t won against the New Zealand powerhouse in eight years, but will go into the crunch game with a brand new wing combination and a fresh face at No.7.
Injuries and suspension have given NSW little choice but to blood the young talent, but rather than protecting them against the might of the Crusaders, the Waratahs are expecting wing pairing Atieli Pakalani and Peter Betham and flanker Jono Jenkins to make a name for themselves in the face of finals-like pressure.
NSW prop Sekope Kepu says there’s a mystique surrounding the Crusaders that is difficult to overcome, but the Waratahs are determined not to get bogged down in what’s happened in the past and are priming themselves for the biggest test of their Super Rugby credentials.
“They’re a great team and I guess they’ve been the consistent team of the past decade,” said Kepu.
“They’ve got that great aura and it’s great to test yourself against some of the best teams and definitely we’re treating it as an important game.
“I guess the history is always going to be there and it’s about us looking forward and doing what we can do at the moment.
“It’s a great occasion and you want to be part of these big games.”
The Waratahs have continued to delay the naming of their side, but in all likelihood, Berrick Barnes will remain at five-eighth, Adam Ashley-Cooper will revert to No.15 and Tom Kingston will move to outside centre.
However, coach Michael Foley will look to utilise his bench to its fullest in a bid to compete for 80 minutes with the Crusaders, and at some stage it’s likely Barnes will move to the back to accommodate Daniel Halangahu at five-eighth.
Foley expects Pakalani and Betham, who haven’t played this season, to be targeted by Crusaders back-three Israel Dagg, Adam Whitelock and Zac Guildford. And to also be pressured by the kicking games of playmakers Daniel Carter and Tom Taylor.
However the Waratahs are backing their newcomers to play a vital role in helping them break a hoodoo stretching back nine matches.
“Those guys will be looking to do their thing and we’ll be supporting whatever decisions they make out there, definitely,” said Kepu.
Jenkins, who is replacing the injured Chris Alcock, said he’ll thrive on the challenge of facing the Crusaders, and at some stage Richie McCaw, when the All Blacks legend comes off the bench.
“You dream to play these games,” Jenkins said.
Despite the personnel crisis at the Waratahs, Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has already billed the Sydney match as their “ultimate test”, reflecting the mutual respect between the two sides who have twice met in Super Rugby finals.
The Waratahs say they’ll need to dictate terms up front if they wish to compete with the Crusaders, but realise it will be all worthless if they continue with their habit of lapsing mid-match.
