Waratahs trust Cheika's systems

The Waratahs may have been well below par in Super Rugby's Round One, but they are not about to throw out the baby with the bath water.

Coach Michael Cheika not only kept faith in the squad that suffered their first Super Rugby loss in 10 matches, a 15-25 loss to the Western Force, but made it clear they are not about to make any drastic changes to their gameplan either for their round two away clash with the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.

Despite the Waratahs' uncharacteristic display during Round One, prop Sekope Kepu said that the side would improve for the hit-out and would continue to trust in the Waratahs system.

"A lot of it is believing in our systems and we simply didn't do that last Sunday," Kepu said.

"There are things that we've practised for the last six weeks and guys just went away from their game and that's down to trust and a lack of belief," the prop added.

"That's something that we've identified and we were hard and honest with each other yesterday.  

"We just need to move forward and today we've done that."

And while not making any excuses for the Waratahs' lacklustre performance last weekend, Cheika said that the Waratahs would be better match hardened and physically up for the Round Two match after a shorter pre-season than usual.

"We didn't perform in Round One," Cheika said.

"We knew we were going to be a little light on because of the preparation and nature of the time and thinking about the overall season, so you'd like to think that's going to give us a little more in the rough and ready contact zone.

"And the habit that comes with playing games of footy gets you into the contact zone.  And you can see just from the trial to competitive matches that steps up in urgency."

With a short five-day turnaround until the Waratahs second match of the season, the Waratahs have been forced to change their preparation slightly for the game on Friday.

"Obviously because of the short week there will be some different modifications," Cheika said.  

"We won't do as much set-piece work.  

"We'll work on the areas that we feel need to better, which is around our urgency to the ruck and to the ball carrier, including our actual ball carrying.  And some positioning off the ball."

After the Melbourne Rebels won their first away match in the history of their franchise, the Waratahs are well aware of the test that awaits them.

But for the moment, it's about focusing on the Waratahs and getting themselves ready for the contest.  

@NSWWaratahs

Adam Ashley-Cooper