Tahs wary of star-studded rivals

RUGBY UNION: The NSW Waratahs have highlighted the enormity of the challenge they face against the Crusaders today, likening Super Rugby’s record-setting back-to-back champions to the all-conquering All Blacks.

The Crusaders are riding high on a record 19-match win streak but Waratahs flanker Jack Dempsey stopped short of declaring them intimidating.

Even after resting All Blacks skipper Kieran Reid, among others, the Crusaders will field nine All Blacks in their starting XV at the SCG.

Dempsey knows that only a complete performance will be enough to stop the Crusaders, especially in the rampant titleholders’ first match since last week’s Christchurch tragedy.

“These guys are back-toback champions, they’re undefeated at the moment,” he said.

“It’s a bit like playing the All Blacks on the Test scene; you get to measure yourself against the best of the best.

“They’ve had an emotional week behind them also, so we know that we’re going to have to put our best foot forward.”

The match will be the Waratahs’ first at the venue since the turf was destroyed during their win over over the Queensland Reds a fortnight ago.

The surface has since undergone $350,000 in repairs, with the SCG Trust and NSW officials confident the ground will hold up to the test of more than two-tonne set-pieces.

“From what we’ve been told, they’ve dug it all up and resurfaced it,” Dempsey said.

Should the Waratahs lose, they will fall to two-from-five this campaign.