Former ACT skipper Stephen Hoiles has warned the Brumbies to prepare for a revenge ambush in Sydney as the NSW Waratahs try to make amends for their early-season capitulation in Canberra.
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But Hoiles’ successor Ben Mowen insists the Brumbies are ready to face a rejuvenated NSW line-up and expects a ‘‘totally different side’’ to the one they smashed by 29 points in March.
The Waratahs have got their season back on track after a slow beginning under new coach Michael Cheika and have mentioned finals for the first time this season after hitting top form.
Cheika couldn’t hide his frustration as his side failed to fire in round four, saying: ‘‘I feel pretty sick, really,’’ after the 35-6 defeat at the hands of the Waratahs’ arch rivals.
But Hoiles - who played 77 games for the Brumbies and 26 for the Waratahs - said NSW’s sudden burst of form has set up the most exciting clash between the teams in recent years.
The Waratahs have won three of their past four matches and are within striking distance of an unlikely play-off berth.
‘‘This is probably the first time in a long time both teams are in form going into this match,’’ Hoiles said.
‘‘The biggest challenge for the Waratahs is going up against the Brums ... both have plenty at stake. The ‘Tahs will no doubt claim underdog status, from all reports [Cheika] gave it to the players after the loss to the Brumbies in the biggest spray they’ve got so far.
‘‘To be fair, NSW has responded. But this is a ‘line in the sand’ sort of moment against a side that flogged them early in the year.’’
A frustrating Achilles injury forced Hoiles to step aside at the Brumbies at the start of their new generation.
He agreed to leave the club as new coach Jake White started his tenure and Mowen took over the captaincy reins for a new generation.
Contests between the Waratahs and Brumbies in recent seasons have fizzled out into lopsided contests.
The Waratahs put an exclamation mark on the worst season in Brumbies history in 2011 when they thrashed their interstate enemies 41-7.
The Brumbies repaid the favour last season when they beat the Waratahs in both matches.
This time there’s plenty riding on the result and neither team wants to take a backward state in a war between the long-time rivals.
The Brumbies will change their training schedule this week to prepare for the Waratahs.
Instead of travelling to ANZ Stadium for their last session of the week, they will have their captain’s run in Canberra before catching a bus to Sydney.
‘‘They’re a totally different side to the one we met in round four, at that stage they were still trying to get their heads around how they wanted to play,’’ former Waratah Mowen said.
‘‘The last couple of weeks they’ve found the way they want to attack and their performances are starting to replicate that.
‘‘They’re a very dangerous, very talented side ... they’re the challenges you want as a side.’’