Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes NSW Waratahs have a great chance of setting up a dream interstate Super Rugby finals clash with Queensland.
The Waratahs play the Blues in Auckland on Friday night and a win could see them take on bitter rivals and minor premiers Queensland at Suncorp Stadium next week.
The sixth-placed Sharks would have to travel from Durban and upset the third-placed Crusaders in the second semi-final to ruin hopes of a NSW-Queensland match.
“There’s been a lot said about the Waratahs’ injuries but they go into the game with momentum,” said Deans, who coached the Crusaders to five Super Rugby titles.
“And we’ve seen in recent times that the Blues are a bit fragile.
“I think they’ve (Waratahs) got a great opportunity to hand themselves a play-off up at Suncorp … wouldn’t that be good.”
Deans praised the Australian Super Rugby sides and believes they are the best performing of the three nations involved.
“The rugby has been great and the interest in the competition is evidence of that,” he said.
“It’s great to have two sides involved at the business end.
“You could argue that we are the best performed when you add up the premiership positions.
“First and fifth (Reds and Waratahs) makes six, third and fourth combined for the Kiwi sides makes seven and second and sixth from South Africa makes eight.”
Deans is excited about the benefits Wallabies’ players will gain from being involved in the finals, ahead of a busy international season which culminates with the World Cup in Deans’ birthplace New Zealand.
“The rugby that our blokes are going to get at the business end is going to be great for us,” Deans said.
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