Freier: We can beat Crusaders

2008-05-27 13:22

Sydney - While Adam Freier talked tough on Monday and argued the Waratahs had the gameplan to win the Super 14 final, his hooking partner, Tatafu Polota-Nau, was giving all the right signs to indicate the Crusaders will confront a full-strength opposition on Saturday.

Polota-Nau, who will be tussling with new Brumbies recruit Stephen Moore for the Test hooking spot in a few weeks, missed the Sharks semi-final because of a sprained hand.

However, even with his right hand well strapped at Waratahs training on Monday, Polota-Nau showed that he was not hampered with his lineout throwing, spending most of the session practising his set-piece work with Dan Vickerman and the other Waratahs jumpers.

It indicated Polota-Nau is in line to return directly to the Waratahs starting XV. David Lyons, the other forward who missed the semi-final, because of a hamstring injury, sat out the session, but is expected to be picked in the 22-man squad.

Polota-Nau's return is timely. The Waratahs are buoyant after the news Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn will miss the final after breaking his forearm in the semi-final victory over the Hurricanes. Freier explained Flynn was "a huge, huge loss for the Crusaders, and we're going to get a lot of confidence out of that".

"Last time we played them, we really tried to target their lineout and target his (Flynn's) throwing," Freier said. "But he threw really well, and it didn't really suit the way we wanted to play. Like most teams, we try to attack their lineout, and he was one person who really got his throwing right this season."

It was clear from Freier's positive approach he and the rest of the Waratahs were heading to Christchurch with only one thing in mind - to return with the major prize.

Plenty of Waratahs teams over the years have had similar aspirations before travelling into Crusader territory - with so many returning either humiliated or bewildered by the experience. It is, after all, where the Waratahs experienced their most dreadful Super moment - a 96-19 thrashing in 2002. But Freier is convinced this Waratahs line-up doesn't just talk the talk. It will deliver.

"It is all about peaking at the right time," Freier said. "The coaching staff have done a great job in ensuring that happens this season. In years past, we've probably started really well, then had a bit of a soft spot, and finished poorly. This year has been almost the opposite, and there is such a great feeling of confidence in the squad at the moment.

"We know how to win there, and we know how to beat the Crusaders. We definitely have the team to do it."

The obvious question is - what's the difference between the team which heads for Christchurch on Wednesday and the one in March which returned after suffering a 34-7 loss? "Confidence and belief," Freier explained.

"Last time, we had the gameplan to think we could beat them, but we didn't achieve it. If you watch the video, it could have gone either way. They ran away with it by getting two quick tries.

"There's definitely the confidence and belief now, and it's not just token in saying that. We will go over there and play footy against them. Don't be conservative. Don't be concerned about what they're doing. We're just going to worry about what we can do, and do it well."

Over in Christchurch, Crusaders coach Robbie Deans has begun the process of watching the videos of recent Waratahs matches, in particular their semi-final triumph. Deans agreed with Freier believing the Waratahs were peaking at the right time, saying they had "really added some confidence and fluidity to their attack".

"They've always been sticky, defensively," Deans said, adding the final was "going to be an epic".

- SAPA