Both the Waratahs and Force are coming off a bye and tight losses to top teams before that. The Force went down 45-42 away to the Hurricanes while NSW fell short of an upset against the Brumbies in Canberra.

The Force are a spot above the Waratahs on the ladder after two wins from six games, while the Waratahs are still only one win from six.

“He’s just got to take the bit between his teeth, whether it’s his ball carry, his tackling, he’s just a little stand-offish...”

NSW coach Darren Coleman on Ben Donaldson

Coleman said he was confident his side could tap into the attitude that produced their best performance of the season in Canberra.

“We tweaked a few things in our attack, we simplified things, and we probably got back to focusing a bit more on us and worrying a bit less about the opposition,” he said. “We played with a general desperation and spirit, so the challenge now is to pull it out again this week.”

Pressure continues to build on five-eighth Ben Donaldson who, by his own admission, has been poor at No.10 but was picked by Wallabies coach Eddie Jones for the upcoming camp on the Gold Coast.

Loading

With Edmed returning this week or next, and Harrison now out of the picture, Coleman confirmed he was keen to get some competitive tension back in that position.

“Ben’s shown some glimpses over the 14 months I’ve been here but he admitted that he hasn’t been shooting the lights out in his games he’s had at No.10 for us,” he said.

“It’s just confidence. He’s just got to take the bit between his teeth, whether it’s his ball carry, his tackling, he’s just a little stand-offish, a little hesitant and, like everyone, just lacking a bit of confidence.

“If you can find that magic serum to get his confidence and run hard and tackle hard, then I think things will come off the back of it.”

Watch all the action from the Super Rugby Pacific with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.