Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick has backed rookie flyhalf Mack Mason to bounce back after a disappointing outing against the Sunwolves.
Mason was brought into the starting team for the first time since 2017 in Newcastle with Bernard Foley being rested as part of the Wallabies' load management plans.
The 23-year-old had a frustrating game against the Sunwolves, including throwing one pass that led directly to an intercept try, and was pulled after 60 minutes.
Kurtley Beale was moved into the 10 spot after Mason's substitution and the Test utility would likely be viewed as the alternative to Mason should Foley be rested again this sseason.
Fitzpatrick said the team was getting behind Mason after his performance and the best thing he could do was look forward.
"We've all been there,” he said.
“I've had shockers as well when I started. Mack's a great player who had a couple of errors.
“I'm sure he's going to beat himself up about it as a five-eighth, likewise at hooker when you miss a throw, one of your fundamental skills, you beat yourself up, but at the same time we pick ourselves up, your teammates pat you on the back and you get in on Monday and you move on.”
Looking forward is an approach the entire Waratahs outfit needs to take after a rollercoaster six days, going from a win over the Crusaders to Friday's shock loss in which Fitzpatrick said they let the Sunwolves dictate proceedings.
"I'm sure our fans are asking the same question. How can you get it so right the one week and so wrong the next?,” he said.
"They were two different teams but at the same time there were certain times tonight.,.Last week we knew we had to be really sound at the set piece and we were, and it disrupted their game.
"We were very sound at set piece but we got other things wrong. So you have to look at a team like the Sunwolves, they don't use their set piece as a weapon like the Crusaders do, it's other parts of their game where they can draw you in to play their sort of footy and they play it very well.
"At times we got too loose in the way we played and it played into their hands.
The Waratahs head to Auckland in round eight to take on the Blues, who sit at the bottom of the New Zealand conference, and the Sunwolves game will be a timely reminder that no teams can be taken lightly.
"Any team in this comp is capable of winning games,” he said.
“The Sunwolves are going to cause a lot of problems to teams throughout this year. They're a really well-coached side and they deserve a lot of credit.
"I think the Blues and the Sunwolves actually play pretty similar. They do like to chance their arms and have some very talented individual players, who like to get the ball in their hands and then the team plays off them.
"I think they're a high momentum team and when they get on the front foot they can light up in attack.
“The good thing for us is it's probably going to be similar to what came tonight, so we need to make sure we execute better."
Foley, Jack Dempsey and Adam Ashley-Cooper are all expected to return to the team for that Blues clash.
The Waratahs take on the Blues on Saturday April 6, kicking off at 5:35pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
