New South Wales Waratahs vice-captain Phil Waugh believes his unbeaten side must play mistake-free rugby if it wants to halt the high-scoring Crusaders juggernaut in Saturday’s Super 12 rugby blockbuster at Aussie Stadium.
Although the Waratahs lead the ladder with an immaculate record of five wins from as many fixtures, the perennially powerful Crusaders lead the competition in point scoring despite playing one less match than the Waratahs.
The Crusaders have piled up 171 points in just four games, running in 24 tries compared to the Waratahs’ 20.
In their last three games before the bye, the rampant Crusaders ran in scores of 50, 59 and 41 points.
Flanker Waugh said there had been ”a real big focus” at the Waratahs training this week on concentration and discipline in executing their game plan and avoiding costly turnovers.
”They [the Crusaders] are very similar to what the Blues were a couple of years ago, when [opposing teams made] a turnover and it was the end of them,” Waugh said.
”They’re a team that can score points quickly and really punish you for your mistakes, so we’ve got to play mistake-free rugby.” While the Waratahs have scored relatively comfortable victories, neither coach Ewen McKenzie or his players believe they have yet been fully tested or played to their top potential.
”Everyone is fully aware that the big tests are in front of us,” Waugh said.
”This week is probably a benchmark game to see where we are at in the competition.” The Waratahs were bracing themselves for an intensely physical contest in a match likely to feature two packs of near Test strength.
”They are very physical, they love that collision zone and it will be a big challenge to see where we are in terms of consistency on the field and physicality,” Waugh said.
A feature of the game should be the battle between Waugh and Crusaders captain and flanker Richie McCaw, two of the code’s finest ball pilferers.
Waugh described his battle with McCaw as ”good fun”.
”Richie is a great competitor and a nice guy as well, so it’s a big challenge for myself. Their whole back row is good and very experienced,” Waugh said.
He felt McCaw’s greatest asset was the way the Crusaders skipper read the game.
”He is a fantastic reader of the game and generally knows where the ball is going to end up and that’s one of the best things about him and you need to match that and try and better it,” Waugh said.
The Wallaby back rower was part of the 2002 Waratahs team, which also won its first five games, but tailed off at the business end of the competition.
”We started well in previous years and fallen away, so I guess there’s that knowledge we can’t do that this year. We’ve got to play consistently throughout,” Waugh said.
”It’s a big challenge but I think it’s a matter of the experience of having been there before and of having made the mistakes, to make sure we don’t make them again.”
McKenzie will name his team on Thursday with five-eighth Lachlan Mackay, flanker Rocky Elsom and winger Winston Mafi all receiving more treatment Wednesday after sustaining knocks on Tuesday. — Sapa-AAP