Waratahs coach Chris Hickey will be hoping his side can continue his winning run at the expense of the Bulls © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Matches: New South Wales Waratahs 6 - 20 Bulls

Tournaments/Tours: Super 14

Teams: Australia | Bulls | South Africa | Waratahs

The Waratahs play host to the Bulls in Sydney this weekend with both sides looking to cement their play-off chances.

Waratahs head coach Chris Hickey has shown faith in the players who have recorded back-to-back victories over the last two weeks by retaining the same 22-man squad for the clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Hickey is happy with the balance within the starting XV and reserves bench which has delivered wins against the Blues and Stormers over the last fortnight to lift the side to third place in the table. "You're constantly reviewing where you can make improvements in the game plan and if there are any personnel changes which would help facilitate that," said Hickey.

"But when we looked at little things we may want to change, we decided the players who have done the job over the last couple of weeks would give us the best balance going into the Bulls match."

Hickey said the match would hold great significance for both sides given their positions on the table and the timing of the fixture. "After losing two games in a row we feel we've changed the momentum somewhat over the last fortnight, but the Bulls are coming off two losses so they're going to be desperate to stay up in the top four as well."

The Bulls currently sit in fourth on 23 competition points, four points behind the third-placed Waratahs however they have already had their bye, with the Waratahs due for their week off in round eleven.

The Bulls' first choice fullback, Zane Kirchner, passed a fitness test on Wednesday and so retains his No.15 jersey for Saturday's match. Kirchner injured his gluteus muscle early in the narrow loss to the Crusaders last weekend but his swift recovery meant coach Frans Ludeke was able to name an unchanged backline.

The only change in the team is at tight-head where the front-row rotation policy sees Werner Kruger start alongside Chiliboy Ralepelle and Gurthrö Steenkamp with Rayno Gerber named on the bench.

Ludeke is confident that the 24-year-old Kruger will be able to stand his ground against the powerful Waratahs scrum but is prepared for a clash of Test-match intensity.

"It is going to be all about getting our basics right and whenever we do something we have to make sure our execution is 100 percent. Both teams are going to play for field possession and from there on it is all about seizing the point scoring opportunities when they come your way."

Waratahs: Sam Norton Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Daniel Halangahu, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (captain), Ben Mowen, Will Caldwell, Dean Mumm, Dan Palmer, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.

Replacements:- Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Chris Thomson, Luke Doherty, Brett Sheehan, Kurtley Beale, Timana Tahu.

Bulls: Zane Kirchner; Akona Ndungane, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana; Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw, Dewald Potgieter, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Replacements: Jaco Engels, Rayno Gerber, Pedrie Wannenburg, Derick Kuün, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, JP Nel.