JACK Dempsey cut a frustrated figure, sitting in the stands as part of the Wallabies' rotation policy, when the Waratahs were stunned 31-29 by the Sunwolves at McDonald Jones Stadium 12 months ago.
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On Saturday, the barnstorming No.8 will be front and centre when the Tahs tackle the Auckland Blues at Turton Road.
Dempsey and Newcastle tighthead prop Harry Johnson Holmes come into the XV in the only changes from the 43-25 loss to the Crusaders in the first round of Super Rugby.
"There is a strong vibe in the squad about making up for last year against the Sunwolves," Dempsey said before training on Friday. "I was rested that game with Bernard Foley and Adam Ashley Cooper. Watching was pretty heartbreaking. There is a bit of a chip on the shoulder from last year. We want to come to the regional areas and show them that we are a state team and do everyone proud. History in Super Rugby shows, especially in the Australian conference, that if you win your home games and win your derby games, you will be there at the end of the season. That is our focus and major motivation."
Dempsey had minor back and shoulder issues following the World Cup, which disrupted his pre-season but the Wallaby is now fully fit and "looking to rip in".
"I am feeling the best I have felt in a couple of years," he said.
"I feel like I owe a lot to this jersey having missed a lot of time in the past couple of years."
The Tahs pushed the Crusader in the season opener but made too many errors.
"Coming up against the three-time champs, round one, away was going to be a tough ask," he said. "We have a new coach, a whole new system and new faces. There were a lot of positives in terms of the space we wanted to create. We saw in review mainly, opportunities we didn't identify on the field. If we back ourselves and back the coach's game plan there is space there. We will be looking to execute that in this game. There is also the element of getting the rust off."
More than 20 millimetres of rain fell in Newcastle on Friday and more is predicted before kick-off.
"The weather will probably suit Auckland a bit more," Dempsey said. "I have never played a game at Eden Park (Auckland) where it hasn't been raining. We always back our game plan. Obviously you learn on the run in a game. You have to adapt. You can't just keep banging your head against the wall. We will go in with the game we trained for all pre-season and last week to execute. Most of us have been playing long enough now not to use wet weather as an excuse. We can all catch and pass, whether it is sunshine or hailing."
The Blues, beaten 37-29 by the Chief in round one, are without All Blacks winger Reiko and forwards Tony Lamborn and Alex Hodgson.
"The Blues have always had the same identity since I started watching them as a 10-year-old," Dempsey said. "They have big ball-runners, a strong set piece and explosive outside backs. That won't change."
