Quade Cooper sniffs new menace in the old foe from south of the border HE'S goaded NSW by describing them as "boring" in the past, but Quade Cooper is now a wary admirer of a NSW Waratahs outfit he sees as a multi-dimensional Super Rugby threat. Bracing for an interstate battle on Saturday night, the Queensland playmaker has rated the Waratahs a more dangerous proposition due to their attacking intentions under new coach Michael Cheika. NSW plays its first Super Rugby match under Cheika against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, but it has already impressed with a more expansive style in three pre-season matches. Cooper, who criticised the Wallabies' dour play and conservative tactics last year, felt the Waratahs' desire to complement their Test-quality forward pack with positive backline play made them harder to combat. "In their past they've been a very conservative side and now they're looking to open up a little bit more and show a more flamboyant style, and it's suiting the players that they have recruited," he said. Their pack is a great pack and now having good backs out wide, bringing that balance, is working for them. If a team only has a good forward pack it is very limited as to what it can do. Rather than concentrate on their forward pack you (as an opponent) have to start looking at their backs now as well. Nippy former Brumbies flanker Michael Hooper has added an edge to the Waratahs' powerful forwards while the recruitment of imposing code-hopper Israel Folau has bolstered an outside back contingent already boasting Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Tom Kingston. The NSW five-eighth will be either Bernard Foley or rookie Ben Volavola. Cooper tipped the visitors would have "threats right across the board" on Saturday night. Four years ago he described the NSW style of play as "boring." "It's great for rugby," Cooper said of the new Waratahs. The more that teams play a positive mindset in games it's going to be a whole lot better for the spectators and for the entertainment brand of rugby. Cooper failed to fire in his side's opening 24-6 loss in Canberra, due to the Brumbies' impressive breakdown pressure and defence. He expected plenty of feeling in this weekend's match. "Anytime that Queensland and NSW (play) each other it's always a bloodbath," he said. There's always a fierce rivalry there and from the first kickoff there's . . . a little bit of argy-bargy. You have to get past that and remember there's a game to win.