SYDNEY - The Crusaders have Carter but the NSW Waratahs believe they possess their own Dan the Man to turn Saturday night's Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey believes the first five-eighths showdown between the in-form Daniel Halangahu and All Blacks superstar Daniel Carter could well
decide the outcome at AMI Stadium.
"Playing that position obviously has a lot to do with shaping the game," Hickey said.
"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.
"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."
- AAP
Dan Carter’s battle with NSW first-five Daniel Halangahu could well decide Saturday’s match in Christchurch. Photo / Getty Images
SYDNEY - The Crusaders have Carter but the NSW Waratahs believe they possess their own Dan the Man to turn Saturday night's Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey believes the first five-eighths showdown between the in-form Daniel Halangahu and All Blacks superstar Daniel Carter could well
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