The Crusaders have Carter but the NSW Waratahs believe they possess their own Dan the Man to turn Saturday night’s Super 14 crunch match in Christchurch.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey believes the flyhalf showdown between the in-form Daniel Halangahu and All Blacks superstar Daniel Carter could well decide the outcome at AAMI Stadium.
“Playing that position obviously has a lot to do with shaping the game,” Hickey said on Tuesday.
“So you want someone who understands game management, who can make good decisions and can identify when the opportunities are there to shift the ball and when to not.
“The five-eighth gets to make a lot of those decisions in the game – and that’s got to be complemented with good kicking skills, good passing skills and being very sound defensively.
“But one of the key things when you look at most five-eighths is that game-management aspect and that’s where Daniel’s excelled.”
Little-known to the casual observer, Halangahu has indeed been one of the success stories of the season.
After fending off Wallabies stars Berrick Barnes and Kurtley Beale to grab the hotly-contested NSW No.10 jumper, Halangahu has produced a series of man-of-the-match displays to guide the Tahs to top spot.
The 26-year-old playmaker admits it helps to have the support of the coach, after playing second fiddle behind the likes of Beale and Mat Rogers in previous seasons.
“It’s just good feeling comfortable in the jersey, knowing that I’m not necessarily playing for my position each week,” Halangahu said on Tuesday.
“I’m playing for the game each week so there’s a difference in mentality, whereas a few years ago it was almost a case of I was given an opportunity and it was, like, `perform or you’re out’.
“That’s crucial – having the respect of the players around me and also the coaching staff as well.”
Hickey backed those comments, saying “Daniel’s consistent performances have meant that he’s secured that jersey up til now and so he can probably feel a little bit more confident and relaxed about that and focus more on how he’s going to run the game”.
But Halangahu is taking nothing for granted, acknowledging he doesn’t “have a mortgage on that jumper” – and that he’ll have his hands full outpointing Carter.
“Everyone knows he’s probably the benchmark as far as being a No.10 in the world,” he said.
The only other time he went head-to-head with Carter was in Christchurch in 2006, when the Crusaders trumped the Waratahs 17-11.
“It was my first year and I probably wasn’t as near as comfortable,” Halangahu said.
“So it’s a totally different challenge this year and I’m much more prepared for this game and we’re really up for it.”
The match could well determine NSW’s finals fate.
With a bye next round, meaning no competition points, the Waratahs could well slide right out of the top four with a loss.
Halangahu said it’s vital for the Tahs – who boast 22 tries in their past four games – not to go into their shells in the high-stakes encounter.
“With the guys they’ve got, you’re not going too well in a kicking battle,” he said.
“You can’t go changing a lot just because of the guys on the other side of the field.
“We’ve got to stick to our guns. It’s something we’ve been doing quite well.
“If they’re happy to kick the ball away a lot, then hopefully that can mean a lot of possession for us and a lot of opportunity for us.”
Winston
Guest
Gulity as charged. Maybe a little harsh. But jeez, comparing one of the best palyers of the modern era if not ever with Halangahu is a joke.
Winston
Guest
Derm
Roar Guru
You're right, bennalong. You don't. But Ora has a particular bee in his/her bonnet about the Waratahs managing to achieve anything in comparison to beloved NZ teams, particularly Crusaders. Don't waste your time - it'll all be over within 24 hours.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
So will I
bennalong
Guest
Are you making a complicated case of the fact that the Tahs beat the Blues who were way down at 8 who beat the Bulls who were number 1 so the Tahs who are 1 won't beat the Crusaders who are at 3 but should be 1 but for the bye? I don't get it.
bennalong
Guest
Hey, eerrr, Do you blokes perchance live in Oz?
bennalong
Guest
I'LL TAKE THOSE ODDS !
Winston
Guest
so true
Ziontrain
Guest
Typical Aussies here nothing new. No one quite talks themselves up like the aussie boys do, no one. just makes it all the more satisfying when they get rolled which is 90% of the time.
johnno42
Guest
Dingobob, this sort of excrement gets aired every year (lately) it seems... remember last year the blow was about how "Giteau's better than Carter". Faded from the press as the season progressed, and nobody mentioned it again. Expect a similar result with the Halangahu pumping. Perhaps its a bait to get people interested and talking... I really dont know.
Dingobob
Guest
Was this story supposed to go out on the 1st of April. How can you compare a clubbie like Halangahu with a player who has shown consistant qaulity like Dan Carter.
Ora
Guest
A close one to the stormers you have to be kidding, they were thumped by 21 points, The tahs have played two possible three quality teams two on the cusp of quality and four very poor teams. The Crusaders on the other hand have played two of the semi finalists from last year two of the bottom four and three cusp teams in the Blues, Reds oh and then theres the sharks who they tore a new one.
Peter K
Guest
I am a Tahs supporter but if I look at their results objectively then it is easy to see why people have reservations about them and see them as pretenders. If you look at their wins. A 'lucky' last minute win against Qld who were considered a bottom team at the time, no one realised how much improved they would be. A close win over the Sharks where the ref had a big influence. Also the Sharks despite being a strong team as shown by their wins later were on a losing streak and were at the bottom end of the table. A close win over the winless Force who had been thumped by Qld previously, and other teams. A close win against a very good team the Blues with an intercept which always have an element of luck to them. Smashed the Lions and Smashed the Cheetahs who are weak teams. Lost a close one away to a top SA team in the Stormers. Lost to the top team away despite scoring a lot of points which highlights that their defence has slipped from previous years. So yes the rub of the green has been with them. But on the plus side they have shown that they can score tries and get bonus points this year against both quality teams as well as bottom teams. Also they now do play the 80 minutes and hang in their otherwise they wouldnt win the close ones.
Ora
Guest
Three of the the Warratahs last four oponents occupy positions 12 through 14 it is silly to get carried away with their form when you look at the calibre of teams they have come up against recently. Lions 14th, Force 13, Cheetahs 12 Blues 8th who however just smashed the Bulls and have a handy looking draw from here in considering who they have left to play
Ora
Guest
The Crusaders have 7 titles to their name and they have a culture of success, they are looking better than they did last year and even then they still made the top four. The Tahs have a culture of choking or not even getting the spoon to their mouths. It's astounding people around the world that the tahs are top of the table, fortunately most people can see the irony in the tahs having played more games is somewhat deceiving not to mention the quality of opposition they have faced since coming home from Africa is hardly anything to write home about three of their last four oponents occupy positions 12 through 14.
Jameswm
Guest
Peter - the Tahs tend to do well against SA sides with big packs as well, esp at (our) home. We've had a very tough pack for several years now. What you described about the Tahs not having a plan B sounds like the Wallabies as well!
hammer
Guest
well for all those that rate the tahs chances centrebet are offering rather tasty odds NSW $3.85 to Crusaders $1.27 ....
Peter K
Guest
It is stupid comparing Halanghu a good S14 player with an all time great in Carter. Cant are not the team they used to be and yes there is a reasonable chance that NSW may win. However NSW struggle with aggressive , consistent defence, they lack attacking smarts to break good defences down. They perform better against attacking teams than defence oriented teams. Consider how they looked against Stormers. Plan A didnt work against their defence and then they had no idea to break it down. I think because Cant are another strong defensive team they have the edge, as well as because they are at home.
Jameswm
Guest
It's just such a crucial match for the Tahs, the week before their bye. Win it, have a week off, and hit the Brumbies in a good frame of mind and with fresh legs, and the Tahs are set up for a shot at the top 2. Lose, take the negativity into the week off, and the doubts could set in for 2 weeks. The Tahs just have so much to play for. I hope they bring their A game. If they wanted a chance to prove themselves - this is it. It is a very tough ask though - the Crusaders over there. The NSW forwards and defence should be up to the challenge and I like that Horne is starting now.
reds fan
Guest
good summation. it might simply come down to home town advantage for two teams that look quite equal.