DURING my off-season research, I discovered that the Crusaders' home-ground advantage is worth 13 points. Other venues also offer the home team some love, but the advantage falls into the six- to nine-point range. That deficit is just one challenge we need to overcome to hold up the Super 14 trophy tonight.

On the plus side, for the first time in five years we have been able to find stability in numerous positions. Consistently good performances have seen the 2008 Waratahs field a core of key starting players that will make tonight's challenge significantly more achievable.

Eddie Jones told me a few years ago that it would be difficult for the Waratahs to be successful until we got consistency at five-eighth. With these comments echoing in my head, Kurtley Beale answered the challenge. The problem was that he was only 15 at the time.

We signed him and waited, with 2008 targeted as the year he would occupy the crucial role. But after Mat Rogers departed prematurely, Beale's debut was fast-tracked last year, and that gave him the experience to handle the tournament very well in 2008. He has started every game and played all but 10 minutes of the season.

The injured Dan Vickerman and Phil Waugh were our greatest losses last year. Phil sneaked in a couple of games at the start and half a game at the end but otherwise we missed their experience, vigour and on-field nous.

Both these guys have started every game this season. Tonight will be Dan's last match for the Waratahs and he has played every match as if he is making up for lost time. Both these extremely competitive players will be critical to our fate.

Unsung and probably unknown outside the NSW rugby community, Tom Carter has owned the No.12 position for every match. And Tom's consistency has provided a foil for Kurtley. With his hard-running, hard-tackling style, and an off-the-ball work ethic second to none, Tom has been the "glue" in key parts of the Waratahs' game. He has played much of the season carrying injury but has fronted every week.

As one of our oldest rookies, Tom may have had doubts over his last four seasons with the Waratahs but he re-signed the other week and his persistence has paid off.

Wycliff Palu has been our best and most consistent player. He has started every game and given the team power, aggression and skill for 80 minutes. Even when he played injured in the middle of the season, he never missed a beat. This position has had its uncertainty and he has shared duties with David Lyons and Stephen Hoiles over the years. This year, though, he claimed it as his own. His "hard-yards" running and creative skills have already been acknowledged by the Crusaders, who will mark him tightly.

In the back three, Lote Tuqiri and Lachie Turner have also started every game this year. This is nothing new for Lote, who has played every game for the past six seasons barring a sevens call-up for the Commonwealth Games. This year, given the task of mentoring the most inexperienced back line in the competition, he has succeeded in exceptional fashion. Revered by his young colleagues, he knows the standards he has set have been a feature of season 2008.

Lachie has also featured every week but he has covered fullback and both wings. He has not been afforded the easiest run because of his versatility and this has made the season a tough one, but one from which he will draw great experience. His recent games have been his best and he has worked hard to develop his game, in particular his kicking skills. His candid personality will serve him well as he learns the ropes.

Consistency in selection has been the defining characteristic of this season. Fielding the same players in a number of key positions has given the Waratahs a strong backbone. The meat on those bones is developing nicely, good enough to chase 13-plus points in Christchurch tonight.