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Going by the percieved Waratahs "Fors" and Crusaders "Againsts" I think Rupert might just be clutching at straws a little!
Unfortunately, anything but a severe whipping for the Waratahs will be the upset of the season.
I hope the young guns don't come out of it too scarred
Five Tahs face Crusaders test
Rupert Guinness
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Five Waratahs face a master class in Saturday's clash against the Super 14 champion Crusaders at Aussie Stadium.
Kurtley Beale, Lachlan Turner, Sam Norton-Knight, Tim Davidson and Will Caldwell have no Test experience but their direct opponents will be five All Blacks who have played a combined 200 Tests.
Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Chris Jack have also played 371 Super 14/12 games among them compared with their NSW counterparts' 65.
FULLBACK -
Beale v MacDonald
Beale
For: Calm under pressure. Vision. Buckets of speed. Move to No.15 will provide more time and space. May prefer No.10, but relishes new challenge, especially against the likes of MacDonald. "Unknown" factor may play into his hands.
Against: Not played fullback for some time. Possibly battle-weary. Will be target for high balls, and big hits if switched to No.10 in attack. As last line of defence, his tackling will be seriously challenged.
MacDonald
For: Experience. Longest-serving Crusader, debuted 1997. Scored more tries against NSW than any other Super 14 player. Better for full game last weekend against Stormers after return from World Cup conditioning.
Against: Lack of playing knowledge against Beale. May be short of full match fitness.
WING -
Turner v Gear
Turner
For: Speed. Made errors in last week's loss, but confidence is up after try-saving tackle and ball steal from Blues No.13 Isaia Toeava. Improver in two starts. Unafraid with ball in hand. Element of surprise against Gear.
Against: Lacks Gear's strength. Short on experience. On comparative form of respective back lines, has less chance getting ball in his hands in attack.
Gear
For: Plenty of skills. Good at taking right option in tight games. Lethal speed if given a step or two start. Form says he will test Turner's speed and mind.
Against: Turner is unknown to him, and Tahs coach Ewen McKenzie says Turner will score a try soon.
FIVE-EIGHTH -
Norton-Knight v Carter
Norton-Knight
For: When on song, has running, passing and kicking game. Courageous enough to be inventive. Impressed McKenzie last week at No.10 in defence. Long wanted start as a pivot. In fast game, instinct may work for him, rather than against him.
Against: Lack of confidence. Will that first pass remain in his hands? If not, how will he respond? Will the thought of a Richie McCaw-led defence give him the yips?
Carter
For: The five-eighth of Super 14, if not the world. Prolific points-scorer. Sharp vision and step. Accurate kicker for territory and goals. And they say his best is yet to come.
Against: Threat of underestimating Norton-Knight, or Beale, if they switch. Risk of injury due to a lack of match play. Pressure of expectation in World Cup year.
OPENSIDE BREAKAWAY -
Davidson v McCaw
Davidson
For: Versatility. Speed. A No.8 or 6, but being unknown at No.7 will keep them guessing. Confident, due to game time this year. Chance to take on McCaw should inspire him.
Against: Inexperience. Matching the strength and savviness of McCaw at breakdown.
McCaw
For: Leadership. Speed. Strength on the ball. Added match fitness from first game after World Cup conditioning. One of world's toughest and most durable No.7s.
Against: Danger of injury after spell due to World Cup conditioning. Pressure of captaincy so soon after his spell.
SECOND ROW -
Calldwell v Jack
Caldwell
For: Improving line-out generalship. Impact in scrum. Strength. Experience from now being a run-on starter. Taking on Jack may help him press claims for World Cup selection.
Against:Conceding 4cm, 3kg and 68 Super 14 caps in experience. Lack of tested match play in second row alongside likely partner David Lyons.
Jack
For: One of rugby's top second-rowers. True leader. Mobile, strong, tough, uncompromising and now fully rested and ready to play.
Against: Fear of injury after World Cup conditioning. May underestimate Caldwell's strengths and improvement and the NSW lineouts.
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