The Waratahs defensive mettle will be tested against prolific try-scoring outfit the ACT Brumbies in Canberra tonight.
Still bruised from the uncharacteristic lapses that cost his side against the Crusaders in Sydney last weekend, coach Michael Foley said the team knew it needed to eliminate those flaws if it was to be any chance of stopping a team that has averaged more than five tries a game over the past three rounds.
''Last week we did a lot of other things well but our defence probably let us down at some key times,'' Foley said.
''Not often, but enough for good sides to expose us and coming away with a four-point loss - as much as we did a lot of good things - it's pretty disappointing, so we're very keen to sort out some of those things this weekend.''
The Brumbies have deployed an attacking kick to great effect this season, through fullback Jesse Mogg and flyhalf Christian Lealiifano, but are just as dangerous in counter-attack, he said.
''Both of their wingers and also now their No.8 are all very effective carriers, so you would expect them from time to time to be kicking the ball but also carrying it back and we need to be ready for both things,'' Foley said.
But Foley rejected a ''do or die'' characterisation, saying it was too early in the season to be making calls based on tonight's result.
''With seven games to go you don't leave yourself much if you start saying things like that but it's a very important game, it's a very important game for both teams,'' he said.
