NSW Waratahs want to slow down the super fast Sunwolves and avoid getting into a high-scoring Super Rugby shootout in Tokyo.
The Japanese side are renowned for playing at pace and the Tahs are preparing to face plenty of ruck speed and setpiece variations in Saturday’s second round clash.
“One of the focuses for us this week is just to keep to our structure and our style,” said Waratahs assistant coach Chris Whitaker.
“The last thing we want is to open up a bit of a free-for-all because a lot of their games are high scoring matches.”
Whitaker said the Waratahs had been getting information on the Sunwolves from outside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, who played in the last two Japanese seasons with the Kobe club.
“He is very much hands on in giving us insights in how they’re going to play and what they’re going to do.” Whitaker said.
He said Ashley-Cooper was on track to take a place on the bench after getting a head knock last week.
Whitaker said the Wallabies veteran had passed all the return to play protocols during the week and late on Friday the Waratahs confirmed he completed a final contact test and would feature from the bench.
His move from the starting 15 was the major change to the Waratahs side after their season-opening one-point home loss to the Hurricanes last Saturday.
Kurtley Beale makes his season debut at inside centre with Karmichael Hunt moving out a slot from No.12.
The Sunwolves are coming off a 45-10 loss to the Sharks in Singapore but hooker Damien Fitzgerald stressed they would not be taken lightly given the hosts desire the play expansively.
“These guys have such variation in the way they play, particularly in their starter plays from setpiece,” he said.
“They’ve probably got seven, eight, nine different options that they play. They love to throw thew ball around and we’ve got to be prepared for everything.”
© AAP
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