<
>

Waratahs need hookers to return to season best ahead of semifinal

Mark Evans/Getty Images

NSW Waratahs forwards coach Simon Cron will look for his hookers to hit the reset button and their targets, as they prepare to face Super Rugby's most prolific lineout combination.

The lineout has been a strength of the Tahs game for most of the season, but they have had several throws picked off over the past two games.

They can ill afford such inaccuracy in Saturday's semi-final against the Lions in Johannesburg.

The South African conference winners had the No.1-ranked lineout heading into the finals, winning 90 per cent of their throws.

Lock Franco Mostert claimed 18 more throws than any other player prior to the finals and second-row colleague and fellow Springbok Marvin Orie was joint ninth in that category.

NSW hookers Damien Fitzpatrick and Tolu Latu failed to connect with their jumpers four times either side of halftime in Saturday's dramatic quarter-final win over the Highlanders, with Cron describing those throws as 'horrid darts'.

"We've got to make sure our hookers get their roles right, get their triggers right," Cron said.

"We've got to get the process right so we've got to make sure our hookers push the reset button.

"The one five minutes before halftime, Fitzy just got the wrong call (and) decided to throw it to somebody that didn't exist, so we'll fix that."

Fitzpatrick has been the Waratahs starting hooker in all 17 of their matches this season, but Latu's impressive work around the field in the second half could intensify debate about a potential change for Saturday's game.

The Lions forward threat won't be restricted to the lineout battle.

"They are big and strong and they will keep it tight,' Cron said.

"They will try and punch holes in us around the ruck."

Cron refused to use travel fatigue as a potential excuse should NSW not perform well on the weekend.

"The Lions at home are always a big challenge but I reckon the boys are up for it," he said.