NSW Waratahs lock Jed Holloway understands the importance of Friday's game against the Crusaders if they want to turn their season around.
The Waratahs' lone win of 2024 came against the Crusaders in Super Round, sitting in tenth position on the ladder.
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They are coming off a disappointing defeat to the Brumbies following a series of tough defeats after the round two breakthrough.
"We understand that we haven't got off to a good start and we're definitely feeling the pressure of trying to get wins," Holloway told reporters.
"As players, yeah it weighs on us and it's something we think about because although we have got a couple of bonus points here and there, you're not going to get into the eight when you're not winning.
"We need to start winning and we know it can be a snowball and we can pick up a few wins quickly on the trot but it's just (about) what comes with winning, that confidence and belief within the group. You can see when a couple of things don't go our way we drop our heads and I'm guilty of that, you just drop your head and figure it's another week.
"We've got to flip that and look inwards, bring that energy and convert on some of these opportunities that we're getting."
Making the task tougher is the loss of prop Angus Bell to a serious toe injury, limping off in the defeat to the Brumbies.
The Waratahs are not expecting to have Bell back for the rest of the Super season, with the Wallaby undergoing further scans and tests to see if could potentially return for the Test calendar.
The same injury has plagued the 23-year-old throughout his young career, with the Waratahs showing the young prop support.
"It's tough for 'Gus," Holloway notes. "He's had a rough trot with that foot.
"He's a massive part of our team scrum-wise, ball-carrying and just his personality.
"We're going to have to wrap 'HJH' (Harry Johnson-Holmes) and Hayden Thompson Stringer in a bit of cotton wool this week and get them right because we're a bit lean there.
"I don't think the medical team have a definite answer on the length or severity. It's the toe that he's had issues with but I think he's getting a few different opinions from a few different specialists to see why it keeps happening and how they can best manage it."
