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Sydney - Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes the Reds re genuine Vodacom Super Rugby title contenders this season and expects their summit showdown with his former side the Crusaders on Sunday to be a "ripper".
The ladder-leading Reds are tipped to draw an Australian Super record crowd of well over 40 000 to the Suncorp Stadium clash.
It looms as a classic contest between the seven-time Super champion New Zealand franchise and the rising young Reds combination, who are coming off a bye.
"It's going to be a ripper, we are going to see a lot and I suspect we're going to learn a lot," Deans told reporters on Friday.
"It will be up a notch. Both are genuine title contenders.
"The Crusaders have the history, the Reds are on the climb, they are fresh, they have had time to prepare, to plan and are playing at home.
"I can't wait."
Asked what the Reds had added this year to become title contenders Deans said: ‘‘A bit of starch.’’
"They got close last year, but ultimately dropped off at the business end and that would have been a source of frustration to them.
"You learn from those things. They are a young group and you can see it's not only the playing group, but also the public are excited about it."
Deans expected fifth-placed Waratahs to produce a big performance against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
"I am expecting good things from them this weekend, they've named a good team," Deans said.
"I think they've clearly been in the spotlight and a bit of scrutiny.
"We saw a response in the first half last week (against the Lions). They are aware of their circumstances.
"They came into the year with real ambition and hit the ground running and they are at their point of no return, so I think you'll see a similar response on the weekend."
Deans wasn't overly worried by the presence of the three other Australian Super franchises in the bottom four.
"It's a very competitive competition and you say (those sides are near the) bottom, but there's nothing in it," he said.
He said positives could still be drawn from those struggling teams as some of their international players were maturing and would ultimately benefit from playing in adverse circumstances.
The ladder-leading Reds are tipped to draw an Australian Super record crowd of well over 40 000 to the Suncorp Stadium clash.
It looms as a classic contest between the seven-time Super champion New Zealand franchise and the rising young Reds combination, who are coming off a bye.
"It's going to be a ripper, we are going to see a lot and I suspect we're going to learn a lot," Deans told reporters on Friday.
"It will be up a notch. Both are genuine title contenders.
"The Crusaders have the history, the Reds are on the climb, they are fresh, they have had time to prepare, to plan and are playing at home.
"I can't wait."
Asked what the Reds had added this year to become title contenders Deans said: ‘‘A bit of starch.’’
"They got close last year, but ultimately dropped off at the business end and that would have been a source of frustration to them.
"You learn from those things. They are a young group and you can see it's not only the playing group, but also the public are excited about it."
Deans expected fifth-placed Waratahs to produce a big performance against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
"I am expecting good things from them this weekend, they've named a good team," Deans said.
"I think they've clearly been in the spotlight and a bit of scrutiny.
"We saw a response in the first half last week (against the Lions). They are aware of their circumstances.
"They came into the year with real ambition and hit the ground running and they are at their point of no return, so I think you'll see a similar response on the weekend."
Deans wasn't overly worried by the presence of the three other Australian Super franchises in the bottom four.
"It's a very competitive competition and you say (those sides are near the) bottom, but there's nothing in it," he said.
He said positives could still be drawn from those struggling teams as some of their international players were maturing and would ultimately benefit from playing in adverse circumstances.
