The NSW Waratahs believe the experience of last year's Super 14 final could be the key to playmaker Kurtley Beale hitting his straps in Saturday's match at ANZ Stadium.

Beale played one of his best games for the Waratahs against the Crusaders in last May's final, which his side will have an opportunity to avenge in a rematch Waratahs coach Chris Hickey has already earmarked as season-defining for both teams.

Only six players who appeared for the Crusaders in that game will be on show at Homebush Bay, the most notable absentees being departed superstar Dan Carter and injured skipper Richie McCaw, while five-time title-winning coach Robbie Deans is now at the helm of the Wallabies.

The second-placed Waratahs are smarting from their first loss of the season to the Brumbies last week, and further criticism over their grinding style, with Beale again coming under plenty of scrutiny.

But NSW believe the experience garnered in the 20-12 Christchurch loss and the motivation of a bad week could have their No.10, and their side, finally clicking.

"I think you could say that in regard to Kurtley and I think you could probably say that in regard to the team," Hickey told reporters on Friday.

"We feel that we're very close to getting to where we want to be with our game and, as a coach, I thought last week might have been the week where that happened.

"As it turned out it wasn't and we're still searching for that game.

"I think Kurtley's performances are improving ... he had a very strong game last year against the Crusaders and we'd be hoping for a similar performance this Saturday night.

"When you're a young player, particularly, you can look back on your performance against a particular team and if the last game you played you were happy with how you went, then that does help you to build confidence moving into this sort of game."

Waratahs captain Phil Waugh refused to concede revenge was on the minds of the Waratahs, but left little doubt as to his side's extra motivation against the 11th-placed Crusaders.

"I think the last memory we've got of the final last year was Robbie Deans a couple of metres away from us waving a sword, so there's certainly guys who've got that memory still entrenched in their minds," Waugh said.

"I think we performed reasonably well in the final last year, we just didn't come home with the trophy so it's important that we go out and perform well.

"It burns every time you lose a final because you don't get the opportunity to get it back."

One concern for the Waratahs following their 21-11 loss to the Brumbies last Friday is their breakdown work out wide.

"We've really got to muscle up in that area of the game and be strong over the ball so that we can protect our possession, that allows us to get some continuity and build some pressure on the opposition," Hickey said.

Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Dean Mumm, Will Caldwell, Chris Thomson, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Dan Palmer, Luke Doherty, Ben Mowen, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Timana Tahu.

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Adam Whitelock, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Colin Slade, Stephen Brett, Andy Ellis, Thomas Waldrom, George Whitelock, Kieran Read (capt), Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Bronson Murray, Jason Macdonald, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Dan Perrin, Owen Franks, Michael Paterson, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotuali'i, Hamish Gard, Blair Cook.

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