Smith wary of sprightly Waratahs

Surprise, surprise, an Australian rugby team is talking up its chances of coming to New Zealand and tipping up a Kiwi side.

Led by fullback Israel Folau, the Waratahs have taken a page out of the Wallabies’ book ahead of their match against the streaking Highlanders in Dunedin tonight.

After bagging a couple of tries in his side’s 50-23 spanking of the miserable Rebels a week ago,Folau is suddenly oozing with confidence and has been talking up his team ahead of games against the Highlanders and Chiefs.

Again and again Australian teams have crossed the ditch and talked the talk, but failed to ram home their words on the paddock.

Australia’s five Super Rugby teams are still sitting on a doughnut against their Kiwi rivals this year. A big fat 0-18.

But while some Kiwis might laugh off the lippy Aussies, returning Highlanders fullback Ben Smith, who will equal Anton Oliver’s franchise record of 127 matches in the round 14 clash, isn’t in the same boat.

‘‘It’s a massive challenge for us,’’ Smith, who missed his team’s last three games with an ankle injury, said.

‘‘A lot their guys, the last couple of weeks, have started to play some good rugby and you can see that as a team.

‘‘They’ve said themselves that they’re coming down here and looking forward to playing some good rugby and looking to attack.’’

Coached by former All Black Daryl Gibson, the 4-7 Waratahs are still right in the playoff hunt, and could go top of the underwhelming Australian conference if they beat the Highlanders and the Brumbies trip up against the Jaguares on the road.

On the other hand, the Highlanders are the hottest team in the competition outside the unbeaten Crusaders.

They’re chasing a franchise record-extending ninth consecutive win, something Smith is relishing the chance to be a part of after watching from his couch the past three weeks.

Earlier this season, Smith missed two games with concussion and one with a hamstring strain, and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will no doubt be crossing his fingers and hoping his star fullback can remain healthy with the British and Irish Lions tour looming.

‘‘I’m just really excited to play a rugby game,’’ Smith said.

‘‘The first week was quite tough, not being able to do any running and it was hard to get conditioning in. But after that I’ve been able to get a bit of conditioning in and it’s made it a lot easier to slot in this week.’’

Not a good watcher at the best of times, he was tested during his team’s narrow 45-41 win against the Cheetahs and 17-10 win against the Bulls, before he sat back and watched them tear the Force to shreds last week.

‘‘It’s a lot easier watching when we’re performing like that,’’ Smith said.

‘‘I think the team is just really enjoying the rugby we’re playing. It’s awesome for our team and I think that builds a lot of character from those wins that we’ve got.’’

Smith has a chance to become the most capped Highlander of all time next weekend, when his side visits the Crusaders in Christchurch.