What the Waratahs must do to have ‘a real chance’ against the Chiefs

Dan McKellar has explained what the Waratahs must do to give themselves “a real chance” of upsetting the ladder-leading Chiefs in Sydney on Friday night. Coach McKellar had previously said the Chiefs are “probably favoured to win the comp” when the Tahs’ 23 was released.

After last week’s hard-fought win over the Queensland Reds in Hamilton, the Chiefs sit in first place on the Super Rugby Pacific standings, having also beaten the Blues twice and the Crusaders once during their rise to the top at the halfway point of the campaign.

As for the Waratahs, their season started with a series of nail-biting wins at their fortress, Allianz Stadium, over the Highlanders and Fijian Drua. But after recent defeats to the Hurricanes in Wellington and Moana Pasifika in Albany, the New South Welshman are 4-3.

The Waratahs are on an eight-game losing streak against the Chiefs, with their last win coming on May 25, 2016. While it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the Waratahs this season, McKellar believes the men in sky blue can challenge the Chiefs if they match the visitors up front.

“If you’re loose and give them turnover ball, they’ll hurt you,” McKellar told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

“But as always with New Zealand sides, it starts and stops up front.

“We’ve had some success against them in the past, and if you can match them physically, you give yourself a real chance.”

After starting the season 2-0 against the Landers the Drua, the Tahs maintained their unbeaten run with a heavy 34-10 win over the Western Force in Sydney. But a one-sided 20-point loss to the Queensland Reds in Brisbane was an eye-opener.

The Tahs bounce back a week later with a dramatic 28-23 win over the Brumbies, but have since lost to the Hurricanes and Moana. With a growing injury toll – having lost captain Jake Gordon and Wallaby Max Jorgensen – the Tahs have had to try new players and combinations.

Teddy Wilson and Lawson Creighton have formed a new-look halves combination, and the pair have gotten better each week it seems. Taniela Tupou has also been relegated to the bench, among other changes to the Waratahs throughout the season.

“We’re aware of where we’re heading on this journey together as a group,” McKellar reflected.

“We knew there would be bumps along the road.

“As much as others like to talk about this being a superstar side, the reality is there’s not a whole lot of cohesion yet.

“We’re getting there slowly, and we want to see a strong response on Friday night.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will join Andrew Kellaway and Triston Reilly in the outside backs again in round nine, while Joey Walton and Lalakai Foketi combine in the midfield. Then, Wilson joins Creighton in the halves.

Rob Leota and Langi Gleeson join Englishman Jamie Adamson in the loose, with the openside flanker named for his run-on debut with the Tahs. Ben Grant and captain Hugh Sinclair are the locks, while Daniel Botha and Ethan Dobbins join Angus Bell up front.

This is a milestone fixture for Bell, who is set to bring up 50 appearances for the Tahs. McKellar believes Bell has the potential to play 150 games for the Super Rugby Pacific franchise and has boldly predicted the loosehead could feature in 100 Tests for the Wallabies.

“Belly loves New South Wales, loves the Waratahs,” he added.

“For him to debut at 18 at loosehead and for the Wallabies soon after shows he’s a rare talent.

“He’s been consistently good this year, really starting to find his voice as a leader.

“If he gets a bit of luck, he can see him play 150 games for the Tahs and 100 for Australia.”