Waratahs coach Rob Penney is confident his side can "create a storm" for the Chiefs when they face off in Wollongong on Friday,.
The Chiefs are $1.28 favourites against the Waratahs but asked whether he felt his side had a strong chance of springing an upset against the New Zealand conference leaders, Penney was quick to talk up his side's position.
"It's interesting you use the word upsetting the Chiefs. already pre-conceived ideas," he said.
"I think if we play to our capabilities, then we'll be in the fight.
"If we're in the fight, you know what it's like, tight matches can go either way.
"We're certainly capable enough to give them a fright.
"They're a good side with quite a bit of experience but they've had some transitions as well and I guess it's up to us now to deal with their threats as best we can and we've got to build on last week and make sure that's not just an aberration and make sure we're building on our confidence levels.
"So a performance that reflects that is really important."
Rather than brace for an early onslaught from their Waikato opponents, Penney said his team would be looking to "create" their own storm.
The Waratahs will field a different-looking side for Friday night's match with a quartet of injury changes for the clash.
Rob Simmons (ankle), Jake Gordon (hamstring), Tom Robertson (back) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (back) have all been ruled out of Friday night's match, forcing a reshuffle to the 23.
Penney said he was confident that the group would be in the mix to return for round seven's match against the Brumbies in Canberra but didn't want to rush them to play.
"So I guess there's a couple of elements to that," he said.
"One is that we didn't feel as though there was any need to push guys that weren't a hundy (hundred per cent) and we showed some faith in the back-ups so they've got an opportunity."
Though the Waratahs were optimistic when speaking earlier in the week about their prognoses, the trio have failed to pass fit.
Ryan McCauley will come into the starting side for Simmons while Mitch Short will start in Gordon's place and James Ramm has earned his first start for the Waratahs after an impressive debut.
Junior Wallabies halfback Michael McDonald comes onto the bench to replace Short and Japanese Sevens international Siosifa Lisala is in line for his Super Rugby debut off the pine.
Penney coached Lisala in his time with the Shokki Shuttles in Japan and said the outside back would bring a new profile to their backline.
"The boys have all seen in the emerging Waratahs - he's very robust and he's tough, he's got great work ethic and he's got a really open mind to learning and getting better and that's what he wants," he said.
"He's also got a little point of difference to some of the boys we have here. He's a strong powerful man which I guess adds another dimension to our attack."
Kurtley Beale will skipper the side for the first time in his career and Penney praised his fullback's leadership this season ahead of that elevation.
"Yeah, it's awesome. It's a great thrill for him," he said.
"I think he's a bit nervous about it, too, just quietly.
"But that's what you'd like. He cares about the place deeply and it matters to him a lot, how the team performs and him being a little bit nervous is nice.
"He's got a deep desire to make sure the young blokes perform well and do well in the Waratahs jersey and that's manifesting itself in a really positive light across his own leadership involvement."
The Chiefs come to Australia off a bye week and with a home defeat at the hands of the Brumbies still fresh in their minds, something Penney said would make them extra dangerous.
"They've been brooding for a couple of weeks and that's not good," he said.
"i saw Neil Barnes on some television the other day, he's obviously their forward coach, and he looked a bit angry still, not the happiest of men most of the time Barnesy.
"I suspect that they've been drip feeding that attitude into the last 10 days and someone's got to pay for that. We've just got to be ready for it."
The Waratahs take on the Chiefs on Friday March 6 at WIN Stadium Wollongong, kicking off at 7:15pm AEDT, LIVE on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. The Brumbies take on the Sunwovles at the same ground earlier in the day, kicking off at 2:45pm AEDT, LIVE on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
TEAM
IN: Pat Tafa, Michael McDonald, Siosifa Lasila, Rory O'Connor
OUT: Rob Simmons, Jake Gordon, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Tom Robertson
Waratahs to face Chiefs
1. Angus Bell
2. Robbie Abel
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes
4. Ryan McCauley
5. Tom Staniforth
6. Lachie Swinton
7. Michael Hooper
8. Jack Dempsey
9. Mitch Short
10. Will Harrison
11. Jack Maddocks
12. Karmichael Hunt
13. Alex Newsome
14. James Ramm
15. Kurtley Beale
Reserves
16. Damien Fitzpatrick
17. Rory O'Connor
18. Tetera Faulkner
19. Pat Tafa
20. Jed Holloway
21. Michael McDonald
22. Lalakai Foketi
23. Siosifa Lisala
