NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has been forced to reshuffle his depleted forward pack for this weekend's Super Rugby crunch match with the Bulls in Pretoria.
Tom Staniforth has replaced suspended lock Jed Holloway, Lachlan Swinton will start at blindside flanker in place of the injured Jack Dempsey and Ned Hanigan has shifted to No.8 with Michael Wells also out.
Despite being understrength, Gibson is challenging his pack to stand up to the Bulls' brutes in what remains one of the toughest challenges in Super Rugby.
"As we know, if we're going to compete in this game, we're going to have to front up there physically," he said.
Gibson has opted to start Nick Phipps at halfback instead of Jake Gordon, believing Phipps' up-tempo game will be needed in the helter skelter opening at altitude.
The Waratahs have taken heart from strong performances already from Australian teams in South Africa this season.
"Across the competition, teams are very even," Gibson sad.
"The Reds beating the Sharks in Durban, the Brumbies doing very well, the Rebels probably should have more out of their tour as well.
"So I think between all the sides on their day anyone can beat anyone so that's what we're aiming to do."
Gibson also believes being overseas while the Waratahs' and Wallabies' suspended superstar Israel Folau fights to save his career at a Rugby Australia code of conduct hearing on Saturday is also a blessing.
"Obviously all the events that are swirling around Australian rugby at present, it's had a real galvanising effect on our playing group," he said.
"Getting away from Australia and getting on tour ... the boys had a good day off yesterday and got around all the different activities.
"We're really positive about this weekend and seeing where the team's at in terms of how together we are."
The Waratahs sit four points behind the Rebels in the Australian conference and face another big test next weekend against the Lions in Johannesburg.
Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Cam Clark, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Curtis Rona, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (capt), Lachlan Swinton, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes. Res: Andrew Tuala, Tom Robertson, Chris Talakai, Hugh Sinclair, Will Miller, Jake Gordon, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome.
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