Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper says NSW’s season is still alive despite a poor early season return.
The Waratahs sit with a 1-4 record heading into round seven and were beaten comfortably by the Chiefs in their last outing.
Hooper was quick to point to the run of the Chiefs’ 2019 team, though, to illustrate his optimism about NSW’s chances of making the playoffs.
"It's not dead in the water. Five games into an 18-round season,” he said.
"The Chiefs went oh and five last year and made finals.
"So while we've made it very hard for ourselves, or harder, after dropping particularly the first three games, we've still got a lot to play for."
Things don't get easier for the Waratahs, who will this week take on the Australian conference-leading Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday afternoon.
"And this week is fantastic. We're going to go down there and play on Sunday arvo - it's meant to be fantastic weather, the Brumbies are on top of their game at the moment.
"They've been exceptional in all parts."
"They've just traditionally been a really strong set-piece team, but they're showing a lot in attack and defence.
Hooper admitted that the Waratahs’ confidence had taken a hit after a dismal second half in against the Chiefs and would be using a nine-day turnaround to fix things off.
"You definitely take a hit there - 38 points in the second half if not something you can just shake off,” he said.
“Like sort of losing to the Rebels and having the week off, we've now had a big turnaround in between those games and sometimes you wish you could go bang, bang straight into another game a bit sooner.
"But I guess the good thing is you get a little bit more time to think about where to rectify some stuff that went wrong last week.”
The breakdown is an area where the Waratahs were dominated against the Chiefs and Hooper said they would have to improve.
Hooper said NSW had been slow to adapt to officiating at the breakdown this year.
“I’m surprised at the breakdown, I’m surprised at how referees are allowing guys, I don’t think, to support their weight,” he said.
“So [I’m] seeing a lot of guys, particularly tall guys, with their legs pretty much extended and their forearms quite in and around the ground, with no potential to steal the ball, and they’re getting away with it.
“They’re doing it well, teams are doing it really well, and we’re probably not doing it as well as we could be, particularly for someone like myself looking at how we can turn over ball and get the ball back so we can attack.
“I think we’re missing a trick there.
“If that’s the way the game is going to be refereed then we have to start adapting to that.”
Hooper will go head-to-head with his long-time understudy Will Miller in Canberra and said he was impressed by their backrow mix.
“It’s good to see him get some good time, he’s a good kid,” he said.
“I enjoyed playing with Will, enjoyed him being a Waratah first and his time around here.
“They’ve got a solid backrow with him, Pete [Samu] and Robbie [Valetini], they’re doing good things.”
The Waratahs take on the Brumbies on Sunday March 16 at GIO Stadium, Canberra, kicking off at 4:05pm AEDT, LIVE on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
