WALLABIES legend Phil Kearns likes NSW's up-tempo game and predicts Hunter rugby fans are in for an entertaining clash when the Tahs take on the unpredictable Auckland Blues at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
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Although rusty, the Waratahs gave an insight into what to expect under new coach Rob Penney in the 43-25 loss to champions the Crusaders in Nelson in round one.
"They were a bit rusty," said Kearns, who is also a Venues NSW board member and was in Newcastle for the lighting of the Graincorp silos blue to promote the round two Super Rugby clash. "It has been a short pre-season for everyone. We saw some glimpses [from the Waratahs], but you have to do more than glimpses against the Crusaders.
"But there were some good signs, particularly first half in our scrum and a couple of tries in the second half."
Under previous boss, Daryl Gibson, the Tahs played a more conservative game.
Wallabies superstar Kurtley Beale, playing in his preferred position fullback, ran 113m in attack from 13 runs and made two linebreaks, while rookie winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored two tries.
The expansive approach was not without risk but Kearns was encouraged by the performance.
"They really tried to play an up-tempo game, which is good," he said. "We love to see that up tempo stuff. They took a few risks. Sometimes they pay off and sometimes they don't. First game of the season they didn't pay off as much as they would have liked. If the ball stuck on those occasions, it could have been anything.
"They are up against a side in the Blues, who are also fairly unpredictable. They have some really good All Black players in that side. It will be a real tough game for them this week. But if they can make those passes stick they can win."
The Trans-Tasman showdown is the second Super Rugby match the Waratahs have played in Newcastle and follows the surprise 31-29 loss to the Sunwolves last season.
"It is great for people to be able to see the Waratahs live and see some of their heroes like Michael Hooper live and Kurtley Beale live and have them right there in their own city," Kearns said.
The Blues went down 37-29 to the Chiefs at Eden Park,.
All Blacks gun Rieko Ioane scored a first half double as the home side jumped to a 14-point lead, but the Chiefs stormed home.
In a further blow, the Blues lost Ioane and front-rowers Alex Hodgman and Ray Niuia.
Ioane, who has scored 24 tries in 29 Tests, was being substituted early in the second half under New Zealand Rugby's high-performance stipulations.
Hooker Niuia has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury while prop Hodgman, one of the best performers against the Chiefs, has a torn calf.
Five-eighth Otere Black and veteran hooker James Parsons are in line to return.
