Waratahs centre Karmichael Hunt says NSW’s players were just as brutal on themselves as coach Rob Penney was after their second-half fadeout against the Chiefs
Penney, in stark contrast to his more diplomatic predecessor Daryl Gibson, described Friday night’s second half as “embarrassing” after NSW conceded 38 points
“I agree wholeheartedly with what Rob said about our performance and if anything we assessed our effort just as bad and just as critical,” he said.
“Too many errors, too many penalties and against any team let alone quality New Zealand opposition you're just going to get hurt.
“The focus for us this week is to stop shooting ourselves in our foot, make sure we turn up and have a physical mindset against a Brumbies team that are going to attack our breakdown and then go out there and play football in the right zones.
“We know our footy's good enough when we play it in the right areas and we hold onto the ball, it's just about now getting a bigger slice of the pie when it comes to time and possession.”
The Waratahs have won just one game from their first five matches and on Sunday they meet a Brumbies side that has only lost one game and has beaten NSW in their last three meetings.
Hunt said an Australian derby was timely for the Waratahs, only adding to their motivation for a second 2020 win.
“I think it couldn't come at a better time,” he said.
“You don't need a lot of motivation to get out of bed for the rivalry games, let alone the Brumbies who are just down the road, who from my understanding probably treat this just as important as the rivalry they have as well.
“I think the history is they feel like they've probably had the raw end of the deal, a lot of those players, when it comes to the Waratahs and their playing history but they'll be fired up just as much as we'll be fired up and I think that makes for a good clash.”
Hunt will play his 50th Super Rugby game in the Canberra match on Sunday, in his sixth season in the competition.
His time at the Queensland Reds, where he first played Super Rugby, was interrupted by two separate drug-related incidents, forcing him to spend a season in club rugby.
He had a breakout Super Rugby season in 2017, making his Wallabies debut in that season, before a controversial 2018 season.
Hunt joined NSW in 2019 and his first season was halted by a knee injury but the centre has strung some consistent matches together this year.
The 33-year-old said he had reflected somewhat on his milestone, which has been a long time coming, and was grateful to the Waratahs for giving him an opportunity.
“There's been some ups, been some downs but finally I think I've turned the corner back on the up which has been great,” he said.
“I’ve definitely enjoyed the last couple of years of footy here in NSW, really grateful for the opportunity that I got last year to come down and join the team that they had with Daryl and whatnot.
“This year's a bit of a different process for us, got a new coach, pretty much a new team with some old heads that have hung around.
“Really just enjoying turning up each day working on my craft, trying to get better as a player but most importantly helping the team improve as well.
“I feel we're on the right track but obviously not playing enough good football and we;re going to need to do that on the weekend.”
The Waratahs take on the Brumbies on Sunday March 16 at GIO Stadium, kicking off at 4:05pm AEDT, LIVE on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
