The NSW Waratahs are bracing for a full-scale setpiece and mauling onslaught from the Bulls in Saturday's Super Rugby clash at Allianz Stadium.
The Tahs have won three in a row but anticipate a ferocious forward contest and are focusing on their lineout at training with the expectation the Bulls will attack them in that area.
"They are a very strong setpiece side, their scrum has been going very well," Waratahs flanker, Dean Mumm said on Tuesday.
"If you look at the ways they have scored throughout the season, a lot of their tries have come off setpieces and that's going to be where they come at us.
"You look at the way they have scored throughout the season, their tries have come off setpiece and that's going to be where they come at us.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"That's a great challenge for us as a forward pack and as a team, to have our structures in order around setpiece.
"They are a big, physical, uncompromising side as well as we're going to have our physical game in order to make sure we can be there and give ourselves the opportunity when it presents itself.
"I think the key for us is to go out and match them and overwhelm their intent and that will put us in good stead."
The Waratahs setpiece work, especially their scrum, was queried and criticised earlier this season but Mumm insisted it had improved.
"To be hip, I suppose, we're trending in he right direction, Mumm said.
"I think we're improving and that's the main thing.
"I don't say we're where we want to be.
"Last weekend we had a good percentage of the lineouts but the quality of delivery wasn't as good as we would have liked, so there's always areas where we can improve."
The Waratahs are on the same points as the conference-leading Brumbies but have a game in hand.
Mumm said one of the Tahs key aims had been to win the conference title and they had the opportunity to control their own destiny.
He suggested the Brumbies had produced the template on how to beat the Bulls when they defeated the South African side in Canberra last Friday.
"The Brumbies did a really good job against them," Mumm said.
"They challenged them quite strongly at the ruck and at the breakdown and also they did well up front to control the physical element against what is a very big and physical pack."
Long-time lock Mumm said he was enjoying his recent run at blindside flanker.
