Preview - Highlanders v Waratahs

The inhabitants of New South Wales aren't exactly shouting it from the rooftops, but there's a creeping sense that this could be the Waratahs year. Should their side see off the in-form Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday, the locals can start propping ladders against walls.

Team leader: Anton Oliver

The 'Tahs cling doggedly to the top of the table after nine rounds of action, and will head home from New Zealand for two matches at Aussie Stadium against Queensland and the Blues in a strong position to secure a home semi-final.

A recent slump in form included a run of three straight defeats, but the Waratahs come into Saturday's game from a bye week, and they will have been working on recharging the fizz that saw them open their 2005 account with five straight wins.

Traditionally, Australian team have not enjoyed trips to Dunedin, but the Waratahs have proven to be curiously immune to the House of Pain.

In fact, the Highlanders have only recorded one home win over Saturday's visitors - the 39-20 victory of 2001.

But this class of Highlanders boasts a different swagger from past vintages - they are undoubtedly the form team of the tournament. They have six consecutive victories under their belts, and exude all the self-confidence that goes with a streak of this nature and this length.

Despite their impressive haul of scalps, the Highlanders don't have the Waratahs' attacking poise behind the scrum, and will be hoping that their forwards can snuff out the visitors' supply of ball.

In short, the Highlanders will again look to their imposing front row of Carl Hayman, skipper Anton Oliver and Carl Hoeft to dominate as they have done all season, and the question is whether the battered local forwards can come up with the goods once again.

Players to watch:

For the Highlanders: The Hurricanes gave Ben Blair a rough ride last week, knocking the stuffing out of the little fullback on at least two occasions. To his credit, Blair did not flinch, but the hard-hitting Waratah runners will have taken note.

For the Waratahs: Waratahs captain Chris Whitaker will win his 100th state cap on Saturday, a commendable achievement for the nearly man of Wallaby rugby. In any other decade, Whitaker would be a heavily decorated Test star - but he shares his time with a certain G. Gregan. With the Australian captain out with a broken leg, Whitaker gets a chance to lay claim on the gold No.9 jersey - he will begin his campaign in Dunedin on Saturday.

Head-to-head: Josh Blackie (Highlanders) v Phil Waugh (Waratahs): A duel between two of the most industrious flanks in operation today.  Both men are playing out of their skins at the moment, and the local boy can enhance a potential All Blacks call-up in his head-to-head with the Wallaby openside.

Prediction: A tough one to call. If the Highlanders manage to impose themselves up front, expect a home win. If the Waratahs get enough ball to their backs, they could steal this one. Judging by the weather forecast, we predict a tight game, with the locals recording a tight win. The Highlanders by 4 points.

Recent results:

2004: Highlanders won 29-28 in Sydney
2003: Waratahs won 27-23 in Dunedin
2002: Waratahs won 31-13 in Sydney
2001: Highlanders won 39-20 in Dunedin
2000: Waratahs won 22-15 in Sydney
1999: Waratahs won 23-15 in Dunedin
1998: Waratahs won 23-22 in Sydney
1997: Waratahs won 27-23 in Dunedin
1996: Waratahs won 29-25 in Sydney

Waratahs: 15 Mat Rogers, 14 Peter Hewat, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Nathan Grey, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Lachlan MacKay, 9 Chris Whitaker (captain), 8 David Lyons, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Daniel Vickerman, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Alastair Baxter, 2 Brendan Cannon, 1 Matt Dunning.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Gareth Hardy, 18 Alex Kanaar, 19 Stephen Hoiles, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Cameron Shepherd.

Highlanders: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Glen Horton, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Matt Saunders, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Lee, 8 Paul Miller, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Craig Newby, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Anton Oliver (captain), 1 Carl Hoeft.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Clarke Dermody, 18 Filipo Levi, 19 Grant Webb, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Cameron McIntyre, 22 Neil Brew.

Date: Saturday, April 30
Kick-off: 17.30 (05.30 GMT)
Venue: Carisbrook, Dunedin
Conditions: Overcast, chance of light rain - max 18ºC, min 8ºC.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch judges: Tappe Henning (South Africa), Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Television match official: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
Assessor: Alan Bateman (New Zealand)