The NSW Waratahs will look for their fearless youngsters to make a mark when they start their Super Rugby campaign against weakened three-time defending champions the Crusaders on Saturday.

While the Tahs will start outsiders against the Crusaders, who have won 31 straight Super home games, their cause in Nelson could be helped by the absence of several of the champions’ stars.

Under NZ Rugby stipulations, returning All Blacks are limited to 180 minutes playing time through the first three rounds.

New captain Scott Barrett, five-eighth Richie Mo’unga and midfield back Jack Goodhue are the only World Cup All Blacks named to start at Trafalgar Park.

Hooker Codie Taylor and winger Sevu Reece are on the bench and two first-choice international starters in prop Joe Moody and winger George Bridge, were omitted.

Conversely the Tahs have virtually all of their star players available with new coach Rob Penney also opting for some youthful zest.

He has chosen a coupe of potential backline game breakers and Junior Wallabies in five-eighth Will Harrison and winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, to make their Super debut.

“They are definitely fearless, if you’ve seen the last two trials, they can play,” new Tahs’ captain Rob Simmons said.

“If I was a coach, I’d be saying ‘get them the ball’.

“They are the exciting talent coming through and that’s the next generation and they are our way forward, so how they handle the big stage we’ll see on Saturday, and hopefully they can lead us around the park.”

Crusaders’ triple title-winning coach Scott Robertson, who was an assistant to Penney for four years when he was at Canterbury, is aware of the danger.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them as well,”‘ Robertson said.

“We’ve done as much homework as we can on them and being focused on ourselves.”

Nawaqanitawase nominated Mo’unga and Reece as two players he was looking forward to lining up against.

‘It’s just crazy to think I’ll be playing against them and running around with them,” Nawaqanitawase said.

The Tahs will have two more Junior Wallabies and potential debutants on their bench in prop Angus Bell and backrower Carlo Tizzano.

Lock Simmons described the Crusaders’ style of play as unrelenting.

“They keep everyone honest to that accountability of carrying out their role and they look for that slippage,” Simmons said.

“Playing a team of such quality we’re going to have to be at our best.”