It’s hard to imagine anything that could make the competition-leading Crusaders even more difficult to beat but that’s exactly what the Waratahs are bracing for in Sydney this week.
The Crusaders will come to Sydney with the support of the city behind them after one of the most emotional weeks in Christchurch’s history.
Saturday will be the Kiwi side’s first game since a horrific shooting at two of the city’s mosques left 50 people dead, many more injured and the city reeling.
The Crusaders’ round five match against the Highlanders was cancelled in the wake of the attacks, allowing players and staff to return to their families.
Israel Folau, whose netballer wife Maria is from New Zealand, said he expected the Crusaders to have plenty of motivation behind them on Saturday.
“My wife she’s got an aunty that lives in Christchurch but thankfully she’s okay but it’s obviously quite sad to see what happened over there,” he said.
“I obviously really feel for them and it’s going to be such a big occasion obviously for the Crusaders to come out here and play.
“There’s obviously a lot to play for and there’s going to be a lot of emotion going around.
“We definitely feel for the people that have lost their lives and their families and obviously it’s going to be emotional but it’ll be good for us as well.”
A devout Christian, Folau said it was saddening to see an attack like the Christchurch shooting take place in New Zealand.
“Everyone has different beliefs and different followings but you just wouldn’t think something like that would happen in places like New Zealand but unfortunately that’s the way the world is going,” he said.
“You see those things happening around the world it’s really sad to see, I just hope there’s other families and those that have lost their loved ones are really coping okay at this time.”
Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu said on the field, they couldn’t be distracted by the emotion around the Crusaders, but admitted the match would have a sense of extra occasion about it.
“They’ve had a week at home obviously after calling off the game, to just re-group with their family and their city,” he said.
“There will be a bit of emotion there from them but I think with footy, nothing really changes for us.
“We will prepare as best as we can because we know we have to be prepared for everything.
“It’s another game that we have to do well and try and win.
“I am sure they will coming over with a lot of emotion and wanting to do well for their city. It will be a massive occasion.”
Regardless of the circumstances, the Waratahs know they have to improve against the Crusaders, particularly in their attack after a lacklustre start to the year.
NSW showed they could mix it with the Crusaders in their one encounter last year, bursting out to a 29-0 lead before being run down to lose 31-29 in Christchurch.
Folau said he felt the challenge of facing the Canterbury side would spur the Waratahs into gear.
“The Crusaders are obviously the number one team for a number of years now,” he said.
“As soon as you play a top side you automatically step up and play to that level so I think it’s great we get to play them early in the year.
“With the way that we’ve been going so far hopefully it’ll click things back into gear because if we get things rolling and get our season back on a good note.”
The Waratahs take on the Crusaders on Saturday March 23 at the SCG, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
