Waterford began their Allianz League campaign last Sunday with a brilliant win over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park.
Derek McGrath's side have a tough start to the league campaign. After last week's win over Brian Cody's side, All-Ireland champions Tipperary come to Walsh Park this weekend.
The two teams met last year in the Munster Championship Final, with Tipperary strolling to a 21-point win. McGrath told Newstalk Breakfast, that the heavy defeat last season, will not have a bearing on Sunday's match.
"The revenge motivation, and the day where by you remember what happened last year- maybe there's an angle there for some people. We're trying to go out and build a culture, where we go out everyday and try to be better... The banging of a table and hatred of another county is almost gone".
"Using Tipperary as a barometer, there's no doubt they are better than everyone else at the moment."
McGrath added there was a "two-fold" importance of hurling in the top-tier, as the team continues preparations for the summer.
"There's the financial implications of being in Division 1A for you board and for your supporters and for the overall project. When teams come to your home ground, the coffers are greater and there's a better response financially... It's nearly an obligation on our behalf to try and stay in the league."
"It's a good simulation of what happens in the summer, albeit in different ground conditions."
Waterford will hope to make it two wins from two, on Sunday afternoon. Throw-in is at 2pm.
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