Waratahs train to start Super Rugby faster

The NSW Waratahs have beefed up the beginning of their training sessions in a bid to overcome slow starts plaguing them in Super Rugby matches.

The Tahs have been jumped a number of times in the opening quarter this season, especially by New Zealand teams.

With critical away matches against more Kiwi opposition in the Highlanders and Chiefs in the next two weeks, NSW know they can’t afford to be slow out of the blocks yet again.

“We’ve changed our training schedule to really start big. It’s key for us,” Waratahs’ centre David Horwitz said.

“That means we don’t start training with little micro duels anymore.

“It’s into big 15 on 15 stuff and hopefully that relates to the game so as soon as that first whistle goes it doesn’t take us 20 minutes to get into the game.”

The Tahs are second in the poorly-performed Australian conference, four points behind the Brumbies but still a chance to claim the conference’s guaranteed finals berth despite their 4-7 record.

“I’ve read a little bit this week that (the Brumbies) have the perceivably easier run home, but that means nothing to us,” Horwitz said.

‘I believe if we get four wins on the way home we will be in the finals so that’s all in our control.”

Horwitz stressed the Tahs couldn’t keep relying so heavily on their big three of captain and openside flanker Michael Hooper, fullback Israel Folau and five-eighth Bernard Foley.

‘”They need the continued support of everyone around them,” he said..

“Going to New Zealand with two very strong (opposing) teams, they can’t be tasked with doing everything on the field.”

The Highlanders unlocked the Tahs’ defence with their clever kicking game in recent encounters and Horwitz said that had been a focus, with emphasis on his team’s back three to defuse that threat.

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