Whilst it's only a month into the competition, Waratahs coach Darren Coleman recognises the importance of Sunday's clash with the Western Force if they wish to play finals.
Both teams enter the contest at Leichhardt Oval with a 1-2, knowing they have let wins slip away, amplifying the stacks for this match.
“We’ve got sights on the top eight, as do the Force, we all understand the back-half of the year against the Kiwis, wins will be tough to come by so this is almost a double point game,” he told reporters.
“It gives us that 2-2 season whilst sticking them to 1-3 so it’s crucial to win this week.
“They very much like us, they have that intent to play. Their ball movement is very good, their games have been open and entertaining spectacles so that means it’s probably going to be punch for punch.
“If the weather holds, we get a good crowd and deck here at Leichhardt, I think people will get bang for their buck.”
The Waratahs will relish the chance to return to a fast and hopefully dry track at Leichhardt Oval, followed by the rain in the opening rounds and trials of Super Rugby Pacific.
This hasn't deterred them from playing an open and expansive style, however, Coleman called for further work off the ball if they wish to start turning their chances into points.
“We definitely know we want to be moving the ball better because it is part of our team, we want to be a ball movement team. That doesn’t mean we have to be reckless or not doing it to entertain, it’s more so because of the skill set and group we have, we think we can cause some troubles (but) we need to fix up our work off the ball,” he believes.
"For the most part, our catch/pass skills have been good but to get that detail on our shapes and really manipulate the defence how we want, we need to set quicker.
“Our big focus this week has been getting off the ground and getting into positions quicker so we can do the stuff with the ball we want to do.”
The Waratahs has opted for Will Harrison at fullback, giving him that extra playmaking option whilst covering an ankle injury to James Turner.
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Harrison has noted in the past that he sees his future at flyhalf, which Coleman acknowledged, although believed his utility value was more valuable at this stage after Ben Donaldson's strong start to the season.
“We been pretty comfortable with how we’ve moved the ball around but Will (Harrison) gives us a left-foot kicking game, which we haven’t had plus he’ll take the goal kicking,” he notes on Harrison.
“One area where we’ve had particular issues with is exiting from our left corner. Teams have pinned us in there for consecutive starts at play so we’re looking at different ways Will can help us get out of there.
“He’s deceptively fast whose running game is under-valued as well so hopefully his footwork can create some chances.
“Will still wants to play ten and we’re well aware that’s his primary position but his utility value is valuable to the team in that he can play 10, 12 and 15 adds a lot to the team. Donno (Ben Donaldson) is doing really well up there so we’re comfortable with that.”
