NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika wants his side to avoid a kicking duel at altitude as his pack prepare for a colossal Super Rugby showdown with the Bulls in Pretoria.
Of the 16 forwards listed to start the game early on Sunday (AEST), only Bulls back-rower Arn Botha has yet to win a Test cap.
Cheika rated it the Waratahs’ biggest battle of the season so far, with the home forwards expected to take it right up to his all-Wallabies pack.
“That’s what they build their game around – that type of intimidation factor that they use,” Cheika told AAP.
“We’ve got an all-Wallaby pack, but the only Wallaby pack is the next Wallaby pack that is picked.
“This is an opportunity for our blokes, who are hoping to be in that pack, as well as for our team, to show they are up to it.”
Cheika indicated he would stick to a ball-in-hand style rather than try to match the Bulls’ long kicking game.
“I don’t think we’ll win a kicking battle against them, so it’s probably not our strategy,” Cheika said.
The Bulls lead the South African conference, while the Waratahs start the round third in the Australian conference and tenth overall, two points off sixth spot.
“We’re under the radar, everyone will be expecting the Bulls to win,” Cheika said.
The Bulls leaders have been careful not to dismiss the Waratahs, with coach Frans Ludeke and captain Pierre Spies both talking up the Sydney-based team.
“They are capable of beating anyone, as they showed against the Chiefs last week,” said No.8 Spies.
Ludeke described the Waratahs as “dangerous opponents.
“At this level the margins are very small, so we cannot afford to play at any level other than our best,” Ludeke said
The Bulls have won their last seven matches against the Waratahs and haven’t lost to them in Pretoria since 2002.
“We don’t worry about it, but we definitely said that we want to be the first (Waratahs) team to win here in 11 years,” Cheika said.
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will play his 100th game for NSW, while fullback Israel Folau will make his first appearance in South Africa.
The Bulls welcome back four Springboks for the game – props Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger, flanker Dewald Potgieter and winger Bjorn Basson.
Cheika made just one enforced change to the side that beat the Chiefs, replacing injured winger Drew Mitchell with Tom Kingston.
He expects to have Mitchell (hamstring) and inside back Berrick Barnes (thumb) back for the Waratahs’ next home game against the Stormers on May 11.