Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has declared the Reds favourites to win their first Super Rugby title early next month - but warns it would be a mistake to count out the 'bloody minded' Waratahs.
Deans, who coached the Crusaders to five Super titles, believes the Reds' epic 17-16 victory over his former club four weeks ago instilled a 'deep-seated belief' in Ewen McKenzie's side.
He says the fact the Queenslanders won't have to travel throughout the playoffs is also a massive advantage.
"You'd have to favour the Reds based on all the elements ... the history and the home ground advantage - and let's hope that's the case," Deans said from ARU headquarters on Friday.
"Hopefully it'll be an Australian team. I'd love to see the Waratahs get up tonight and head to Suncorp (Stadium for an all-Australian semi-final) because I think that would be a fantastic event."
"It is different (in the finals) and I don't think you can presume anything."
"You've got to respect those that have background, and to that end I guess the Crusaders stand out as one side, but they've also got a lot of players that are returning from injury so they won't be hardened to playing which leaves them a little bit vulnerable."
"The Sharks and the Stormers are two hardened teams and the Stormers are well placed to win, just as the Reds are."
"There's no doubt the fact that they don't have to travel is significant. No side has ever travelled to Africa and back and won, and I guess that's what the Crusaders will have to do."
Deans says he's noticed a change in the Reds since their epic win over the Crusaders and added that their loss to the Brumbies the following week will also serve them well during the post-season.
"It's given them that deep-seated belief that they can prevail when it gets difficult and that's a critical quality in any team – in any successful team," he said of the Crusaders triumph.
"The Reds have had the benefit of the Brumbies experience where the Brumbies denied them that momentum ... and that experience for them was ideal in leading into the playoffs."
"If they hadn't had that speed bump they might have been a little bit vulnerable but I think off the back of that they'll be better prepared."
Meanwhile, Deans is adamant the Waratahs can overcome the absence of 11 regular squad members, including eight Wallabies, and defeat the Blues at Eden Park on Friday.
"The Waratahs come into this game with some momentum, sure they've lost some key blokes but there's a lot of chemistry elements there and they'll be totally bloody minded," he said.
"And if the weather is inclement as (it is expected to be) that might be enough."
Deans also took a swipe at New Zealand and South Africa following suggestions the 'weak' Australian Conference had given the Reds and Waratahs an easier passage to the finals.
"I think looking ahead if you wind the clock forward a year we'll (the Australian Conference) be looking really good – and I mean really good across the board – and I think some of the other conferences will be just hanging in there," he fired.