Waratahs see the error of their ways and plan on minimising mistakes on New Zealand tour

THE Waratahs’ mantra in a run home to the Super Rugby finals dotted with Kiwi rivals is set to be “hold on tight”.

THE Waratahs’ mantra in a run home to the Super Rugby finals dotted with Kiwi rivals is set to be “hold on tight”.

It’s a reference to the importance of ball security and minimising costly mistakes but it could just as well apply to facing a dangerous Blues team on Friday night.

They won’t have an NRL recruit in the team but the Aucklanders have, in recent seasons, been harder to pick as a sidestep from Benji in his prime.

Some weeks the Blues and star attackers like Charles Piutau and Frank Halai are white-hot, but on other weeks the Kiwi outfit look like they just met before the game.

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“They’re a mixed bag, and what team turns up on the weekend is going to be interesting,” Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper.

“Let’s hope it is not the one with all guns blazing because it will be a tough night.”

The Waratahs are relishing the prospect of facing the Blues, and in a sequence of New Zealand foes in coming weeks, the Hurricanes, Chiefs and Highlanders.

Sporting equal attacking ambition, more gaps appear than against African foes and NSW believe they have the game to exploit the space.

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“The Blues play a similar game to us. They like to run the ball. It will be a high-scoring encounter purely because both teams will take the risks,” said NSW backs coach Daryl Gibson.

“The last games we have played South African and Australian teams and they defend a bit differently, but we are looking forward to playing New Zealand teams. We enjoy playing them, we enjoy playing the style of game we play against theirs. It makes for an enjoyable game for everyone.”

With plans to run the ball, Waratahs winger Rob Horne said ball security was vital, particularly given rivals were already formulating strategies that sweat on NSW mistakes for their points.

“As a side we play a fair bit of footy and other sides are starting to clock onto that, realise we are probably going to get our opportunities off Waratah mistakes,” Horne said.

News_Image_File: Rob Horne is stressing the importance of the Waratahs hanging onto the ball and minimising mistakes.

“Identifying that’s a key area for other teams to score is the first step in realising … we have to stay on top of that and make sure we secure our breakdowns and not get complacent and throw loose passes.

“Because when teams string phases together, points come. We’ll do that.”

Gibson echoed Horne’s message.

“The key for us to hold the ball. The last two weeks we have been guilty of coughing up the ball too cheaply, and we saw against the Force how quickly turnovers can cost you,” Gibson said.

“Against the Blues, any turnovers will be pounced up and probably end up with us standing under our posts.”