The NSW Waratahs are comfortable playing spoilers as they prepare for a hostile environment at the new Christchurch stadium.
The Waratahs will open the brand-new One NZ Stadium against the hosts, the Crusaders, formally kicking off the Super Round in the process.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Te Kama has been sold out for several weeks as the Christchurch faithful flock to the new venue, replacing Lancaster Park, which was damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.
Waratahs playmaker Lawson Creighton knows there will be a sea of red and black in the stands, out to make a statement with their finals hopes on the line.
“I think we've really been working on this as a group and just that contagious energy that we talk about as a team," he told reporters. “You're going to go into stadiums like that and no-one's expecting you to win, no one's going to be cheering for you so that energy that we bring towards each other and in that team environment is a big thing for us.
“...We haven't been happy with our performances over in New Zealand. Sold-out stadium over there, I think there's no better way to go over there and put in a good performance."
The Waratahs have enjoyed recent success over the Crusaders, winning three of their last five against the defending champions.
This success has extended into the Australian teams in 2026, with the most successful team in Super Rugby facing a potential winless season against trans-Tasman opposition for the first time in its history.
“I think you can't go over to New Zealand and not attack them and make them uncomfortable," Creighton said on how to best tackle the challenge of Kiwi opposition.
“We've really got to put them under pressure. If we think it's just going to come, it's going to be a tough day so I think we've got to attack them and put them under pressure.”
“You've really got to stand up physically and attack them and make them uncomfortable. If you let them play, they've got, you know, explosive ball carriers and very, very good outside backs so you give them time and space, it's going to be a long night.”
Creighton is set for his 50th Super Rugby appearance, having moved south from Queensland in 2025.
He was taken off early last week due to a failed HIA, but passed follow-up concussion tests to be available for this week.
