This derby looms as critical for the Waratahs. Here’s how they can beat the Reds

There is still a lot he can contribute around the park, but his core roles are strong and getting stronger. Not many tightheads can squeeze a scrum penalty out of All Blacks and Highlanders loosehead prop Ethan de Groot like he did in round one.

The bomb-y squad

Gleeson’s place on the bench as part of a 6-2 split alongside Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Mahe Vailanu and English bulldog Jamie Adamson isn’t quite the Springboks’ “bomb squad”, but the intent is clear.

Kalapu is underrated – he can play – and if Gleeson is healthy enough to empty the tank for 30 minutes, the Waratahs can finish strongly.

It’s been a strength of theirs during their three wins to date, and the forwards-heavy strategy is probably the right one to take to Brisbane.

Challenge the Dawg

Tim Ryan, aka the Junkyard Dawg, is either on the cusp of a breakout performance or else is suffering from a case of second-season syndrome. There’s nothing in his stats to suggest a slump, and he is certainly trying his heart out.

But there have been fewer signs of the self-confidence that led to the uninhibited performances that caught everyone’s eye last year.

The Waratahs should ask a question or two down his edge – it shapes as a big evening for Triston Reilly.

Us against the world

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To the rest of the competition, it might seem bizarre that McKellar is trying to cultivate a view of the Waratahs as plucky outsiders, trying to punch up to the Reds. But that’s exactly what he has been trying to do by latching on to the underdog tag this week – and don’t underestimate how much that can work inside the bubble of a footy team.

Of course, it doesn’t really stack up in the real world when you have Tupou and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on your payroll. But good coaches find a way of firing up their troops and the reality is that the Waratahs are comfortable outsiders with the bookies.

McKellar will be telling his men no one thinks they can win and that their critics reckon they’ve been lucky to date.

Stop Uru

The Reds can hurt teams in multiple ways, but they’re probably most dangerous when they get their big middle forwards rumbling straight down the guts and getting offloads away.

Seru Uru and Josh Canham are the key men here, and while the Waratahs muscled up against the Force last week, players such as Nick Champion de Crespigny are far less likely to keep the ball alive than Uru.

The Reds’ support runners are excellent at flooding through once the initial half-break or offload is made – especially Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott. Stopping them at that point is almost impossible. The Waratahs will have to do it on the gainline.

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