NSW Waratahs attack coach Chris Malone has emphasised the importance of three consecutive Australian conference derbies for his side
That run starts on Saturday in Canberra against the Brumbies, whose defence Malone ranks as the best among the Australian Super Rugby sides..
The Tahs and Brumbies are running third and fourth in the Australian conference respectively with just two points between them, but both trail the pacesetting Melbourne Rebels by a double-digit margin.
"We've got a run now that goes Brumbies, Sunwolves, Reds, so we play three teams in the Australian conference," Malone said.
"It's really important that you make the most of those opportunities and you've got to beat the teams in your conference, otherwise you start to look up at the people in front of you."
"I think already you've seen the benefits of having four (Australian Super Rugby) teams. Everyone is that little bit stronger,"
NSW finally hit their straps with a spectacular second half display in their last-start win over the Rebels, running in several well constructed tries.
"The change was just a little bit of composure," Malone said.
He emphasised that patience would be required to crack the Brumbies.
"The Brumbies have the best defence in the Australian conference so you know that you are going to have to maintain possession for a lot longer than we have so far," Malone said.
"They make their tackles and therefore you have got to find different ways to break them down."
One key weapon for Malone is bound to be Wallabies star Israel Folau, whose aerial ability unlocked the Rebels defence.
"The reality is that the great strengths that he has have probably been not used enough over the last five years," Malone said.
"He's a huge threat and he had a great game last week and we'll be looking for him to have another one this week."
"I think you have to have multiple threats across the whole field.
'"We have to be a threat with our carries from 1 to 15 and our kicking game and in terms of building pressure from our setpiece."
