Just as time is running out on NSW’s Super Rugby season, the Waratahs are racing the clock to master new combinations after coach Michael Foley made drastic changes for Friday night’s clash with the Bulls at Allianz Stadium.
Five-eighth Berrick Barnes believes the new-look side has the potential to throw the Bulls, but admits the desperation plan could fall flat if players can’t gel in their new positions.
Foley wielded the axe on Wednesday, making seven personnel changes and three positional switches to the starting team that crashed to a 23-6 loss to the Brumbies last weekend.
Rocky Elsom returns to No.6 in place of Dave Dennis and will captain the Waratahs for the first time this year, while hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is out after suffering head knocks last week, replaced by John Ulugia.
Barnes remains in his No.10 jersey, but he has an entirely new set-up to get used to inside and out, with Sarel Pretorius reinstated at halfback over Brendan McKibbin, Adam Ashley-Cooper moving from fullback to inside centre with Tom Carter dumped, and Daniel Halangahu starting in the unfamiliar No.15 jersey.
Against the Crusaders two weeks ago, some of the untested combinations in the backline had trouble getting their bearings in defence and the Waratahs can’t afford a repeat in a make-or-break clash with the South African conference leaders.
Wallabies playmaker Barnes said the Waratahs must turn their unpredictability into a weapon as they attempt to keep their season alive before heading to South Africa for a gruelling two-match tour.
“It’s handy having different players. It will be a test for the Bulls and it’ll be a test for us to see how we gel – we’ve only had a couple of sessions,” said Barnes, with the Waratahs to finalise preparations at their captain’s run on Friday.
“If I had the magic potion, I’d be bloody sprinkling it all over us.
“I’m not happy with where we’re at, but we can’t dwell on what we’ve done. We’ve got to somehow come up with a better performance.
“This is a paramount game … everyone knows how hard it is to go to (Africa) so we’ve got to make hay while the sun shines.”
In other changes, Rob Horne is back from suspension at outside centre, meaning Tom Kingston returns to the wing in place of Peter Betham.
Chris Alcock is back from injury to resume the openside flanker role from Jono Jenkins after missing the Brumbies match with injury.
South African-born Alcock said the Waratahs must be physical and come in numbers at the breakdown if they’re to match the high-flying Bulls.
And with fellow openside Michael Hooper signing with the Waratahs for next year, Alcock says he’s up for the challenge of fighting for his spot.
“Hooper is a good buy and it’s just going to add extra heat to this position,” Alcock said.
“He doesn’t want to sit on the bench and I definitely don’t.”
