The Waratahs are stressing the importance of Saturday's clash with the Western Force at HBF Park, knowing it will prove crucial in the quest for finals football.
After a strong start to the season, the NSW-based side finds themselves in fifth position on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder as they prepare to face the Kiwi sides.
With the Waratahs set to kick off Super Round against sixth-place Chiefs, it sets up an important fortnight for Darren Coleman's men if they wish to make the top eight.
Waratahs assistant coach Jason Gilmore recognised the importance of securing wins against these teams, starting with a Force side hungry to bounce back at home following their defeat to the Rebels.
“It’s critical,” Gilmore believes.
“We’ve had a few games like that, playing the Rebels and the Highlanders who haven’t had the best start but they’ll warm up so there’s a couple of games coming up that will be with other teams fighting off for that 6-8 spot so they’re absolute must-win games.
“It’s going to be a tough but exciting seven weeks. We feel like the team is in a position to compete which is good week-to-week but those games hold extra significance because they're around the same position on the ladder. If they’re taking points away from us, it’s going to be crucial.
“The Force are going to around that finals fight with us so if we can’t get this done, we don’t really deserve to be there,” flanker Charlie Gamble added.
“We go over there with a strong mindset and hopefully we get it done."
They are set to be boosted by the return of captain Jake Gordon, who is on track to recover from a hamstring injury, with Ben Donaldson (calf) and Will Harrison (quad) pushing their cases.
Along with this, it is expected Michael Hooper will make his first start of 2022, with Gilmore hopeful of a near-80 minute performance after the Wallabies skipper came off the bench during their win over the Drua.
It leaves a nice headache for Darren Coleman and selectors, with the impressive Gamble starring in Hooper's absence, leaving him 'hard to leave out’ according to Gilmore.
Gamble has shuffled around the back row at club level, starting at blindside flanker during the Drua victory, and is confident to slot in wherever asked of him.
“Hoops is a world-class seven, so I’m pretty comfortable playing any position across the back row,” the 25-year-old said.
“It’s quite critical if you play in the back row to learn every position - 6, 7 or 8. Wherever they put me, I’m pretty happy to play and pretty comfortable.
“That’s a headache you want the coaches to have with the depth in the team. Whoever steps up (in) whatever position, they’re going to be comfortable for whoever takes that spot so pushing each other is only a good thing.”
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Following their narrow win in the corresponding fixture at Leichhardt Oval in round four, Gamble stressed the importance of an 80-minute performance if they wish to.
“They were a bit unlucky to come away with the loss so they’ll be itching to get one back this week over us,” he added.
“We went into (the past match-up) at half-time with a pretty big lead and they didn’t give up, they brought some big, strong players off the bench and in the end we only won by 7-8 points.
“For us, we’ve got to make sure we keep the pressure on for the full 80 and don’t let off the pedal.”
