Rugby Rebels to be faster than Force

NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika expects Melbourne Rebels to throw a high-tempo game at his side on Friday, rather than try and repeat the slow down tactics Western Force successfully employed against the Super Rugby champions last weekend.

Just five days after losing their season opener at home, the Waratahs play in Melbourne against a Rebels side enjoying home advantage, two extra days rest and momentum from a stunning away conquest of the Crusaders.

Cheika stressed it would be a mistake for the Tahs to think Melbourne would use the same tactics as the Force.

“They (the Force) had a strategy for keeping the game very slow, and stoppages, and guys going down injured, and all that type of stuff, which we weren’t able to react out of,” Cheika said.

“We’re going to have to be better in reacting to that, but the Rebels are a team with a lot of high-tempo play.

“They are looking to go fast from lineouts, their halfbacks are looking to run the ball a lot more, they are looking to get continuity.

“I think there’s a big difference between the teams.

“If we think we’re going to get that (Force style of) game that we got on the weekend down in Melbourne, we’d be off the mark, because there’s going to be a lot more faster tempo.”

With a short turnaround between the Tahs first two games, Cheika said there would be less emphasis on setpiece drills at training this week and more focus on greater urgency with ball carries and in ruck play.

The Waratahs and Wallabies coach was clearly impressed with Rebels’ forward Lopeti Timani, who was one of their stars against the Crusaders.

“If he delivers that type of performance every week then he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with,” Cheika said.

Despite last weekend’s loss and poor performance, Cheika said he retained 100 per cent belief in his team based on their past efforts.

“We’ve become a persistent lot,” Cheika said.

“It’s not about losing games, it’s about how you come back from poor performances, that’s a sign of character.”

Prop Sekope Kepu said he never wanted to see a repeat of last Sunday’s performance and that the players hadn’t spared each other when reviewing the game the following day.

“Guys just went away from their game and that was purely down to trust and lack of belief,” Kepu said.

“It’s something we’ve identified and we were hard and honest each with each other and we just need to move forward and we’ve done that.”

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