Refusing to panic, coach Michael Cheika is backing the NSW Waratahs to rediscover their championship mojo in Sunday’s Super Rugby crunch match with the Brumbies in Sydney.
After a spluttering two-from-four start to their title defence and mid-match fadeout against the Highlanders last Saturday, the Waratahs risk falling more than two wins behind the table-topping Brumbies with another defeat.
Such a scenario would have the Waratahs playing catch-up in the race for a guaranteed finals berth as Australian conference winners.
Cheika on Tuesday acknowledged the Brumbies as worthy early-season competition pacesetters and said the Waratahs needed to be more clinical in both attack and defence.
“Just (find) that little bit of extra edge to finish off the move or shut down the opposition,” he said.
“It’s nothing to do with our work rate. If anything, our work rate has improved from last year.
“But one thing’s for sure; they (the Brumbies) have earnt that 10-point gap at this stage.
“So that’s 100 per cent clear. They’ve been by far and away the best team in Australia.
“But I believe in my lads 100 per cent.”
The master motivator promised to have the Waratahs up for the derby.
“We’ve probably just been lacking a little bit of edge,” Cheika said.
“I think that’s fair to say, and I believe that on Sunday we’re going to have a clear idea on how we’re going to get that edge for the game.”
Cheika pointed out a win at Allianz Stadium, followed by another home victory when the Brumbies have a bye next weekend, could potentially close the gap on their ACT rivals.
As well as being perched atop the ladder, the Brumbies boast the best attack and defence in the tournament.
But Cheika was confident his reigning champions would not only repel the Brumbies, but also be the team asking the most serious questions.
“You get nothing for free in this tournament, against anybody,” he said.
“You’ve got to work hard and you’ve got to have edge and you’ve got to be up front and make a play so that oppositions are reacting to what you’re doing.
“And we do that and I’m backing my guys all day.”
Midfield playmaker Kurtley Beale is predicting a torrid encounter.
“We’re just going out there and bashing each other. That’s what they usually are these Australian derbies. They’re always very physical,” Beale said.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for us, coming from a pretty disappointing loss last week.
“But the guys are pretty keen to turn things around.”
The Waratahs will again be without Adam Ashley-Cooper, but Cheika said the Wallabies backline ace was close to a return from a rare knee injury that has sidelined him for three weeks.
