‘It’s going to be a war zone’: Waratahs ready to do battle with Crusaders
Teams meet in re-match of last year’s final, which the Aussie outfit won courtesy of Bernard Foley’s late penalty
New South Wales Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is preparing his players for nothing short of a battle when they meet the Canterbury Crusaders in a crunch Super Rugby clash at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
A re-match of last year’s Super Rugby final at the same venue, which the Waratahs clinched courtesy of Bernard Foley’s late penalty, the match has major repercussions for the play-off hopes of both teams.
The Waratahs are in the sixth and final play-off spot with four rounds of the regular season remaining, while the seven-times champions are ninth and facing the prospect of missing out on post-season play for the first time since 2001.
It’s going to be a real battlefield. I really think they are a fine team and they will be coming off a bye, fresh
A bonus point win for Todd Blackadder’s All Black-studded side, though, could bring them level with the reigning champions on 36 points.
“It’s going to be a war zone this weekend, that’s for sure,” Cheika said.
“It’s going to be a real battlefield. I really think they are a fine team and they will be coming off a bye, fresh.”
The Waratahs rebounded from an upset at the hands of the Western Force to beat the Sharks on home soil last Saturday, but the 33-18 scoreline disguised a scrappy win by a side that has not hit the heights they achieved last year.