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CRUSADERS coach Robbie Deans is wary of the potential of the Waratahs' "baby" back line, even though it could benefit him long-term if they do cause havoc in their Super 14 match in Christchurch tomorrow night.
As the Wallabies coach-in-waiting, Deans knows he will need as many classy, young back line options as possible to emerge if he is to develop a winning squad for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
A good indication will be if the NSW back line, which has an average age of just over 23 and is short of Test experience, can show the potential he feels they have on a dry track at Christchurch.
Deans will be fully focused on his side remaining undefeated but agreed there was extra danger in such conditions because of the unpredictability of a NSW back line that has played only against the Brumbies in teeming rain.
Apart from winger Lote Tuqiri, who has 58 Wallabies caps, the only starting back in the Waratahs with a Test cap is halfback Brett Sheehan with one.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders back line that yesterday lost fullback Leon MacDonald (51 Tests) to fatigue, boasts five All Blacks with a total of 65 caps.
Asked if it could help NSW that their "baby" back line would likely encounter fast-running conditions for the first time tomorrow night, Deans said: "No doubt about it. They have got a lot of capability.
"I have no doubt we will see the Waratahs seek to use those assets, those weapons if you like, across the park.
"They won't want to leave here wondering. So they will seek to attack. They will seek to involve everyone.
"We will see a team prepared to use more expanse than we have seen in the first few rounds. Part of that may have been the weather they were forced to play in. That is what we are anticipating."
Deans believes the Waratahs, after their bye round, will also be ready to challenge the reputations of his players , and believes NSW attack coach Todd Louden's influence could make a difference.
"It was a very evident the impact he had on the Bulls," Deans said of Louden.
"They will have used the last two weeks to perfect and develop their approach.
"It has been a great opportunity for them to not only freshen, but also to put together some of their strategies they already have got, put in some new ones designed around us, or balance what they have been trying to do to date."
Of course, the Waratahs must first win the ball if that danger is to be realised. And Deans has taken steps to minimise that risk by recalling five top-line forwards from the bench to his starting side, which has eight changes.
Back in the starting XV are No.8 Mose Tuiali'i, breakaway Kieran Read, second-rower Ali Williams, prop Greg Somerville and hooker Corey Flynn.
Other changes are:
■ Tim Bateman's call-up to No.12 for Stephen Brett, who is out for six weeks because of a shoulder injury sustained in the Crusaders' 55-7 round-five win over the Cheetahs in Christchurch last weekend;
■ Scott Hamilton's move from the wing to fullback to cover for MacDonald, prompting the promotion of Caleb Ralph from the bench to the wing for Hamilton and Hamish Gard's call-up to the reserves for Ralph;
■ Winger Kade Poki's comeback to the starting side from injury, with Sean Maitland returning to the bench.
"Remember lads, rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to ..........." 
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