Coach Clairk Laidlaw said losing three contracted hookers was tricky. It was a specialist position, and the side's dynamic changed slightly. Kianu Kereru-Symes will debut with Raymond Tuputupu on the bench.
"We've got to find a solution; we've got to help the guys coming in.
"The coaches have got to design game plans around lineouts that we think suit the players we've got and we've done that this week."
Kianu Kereru-Symes brings a lot of experience with over 50 games for Hawke’s Bay in the Bunnings NPC and played a season in 2023 with the New England Freejacks.
Reviewing their first loss to the Brumbies of the season, Laidlaw said it was disappointing because they had prepared so well, but they played poorly in several areas.
The Waratahs provide a different challenge.
"The Waratahs are big men when they get on the front foot. Everybody could see in their games against the Crusaders and Chiefs they take a bit of holding if they get on the front foot.
"If you look at the back five of their scrum, they're big athletes. They want to hold you up in the tackle and dominate you in the collision. We must get our mindset right so the skill set can follow.
"We need to be better defensively and take opportunities. The review showed there were heaps of opportunities [against the Brumbies] that we didn't take so we need to be better."
Having missed 43 tackles, they also needed to be better defensively.
The side will be without flanker Brad Shields, who is being rested. But Devan Flanders returns with Peter Lakai Pouri Rakete-Stones, both starting.
Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor will start in midfield, while Bailyn Sullivan will make his first start on the left wing. He came off the bench in his two earlier games.
Sullivan said there was plenty of competition for places in the backline, but he was looking to make the most of his start and would be looking for more.
"The boys are doing well at the moment, and it's hard to push them and get a spot but everyone's been trusted to do the job, and do it well."
Being on the wing, rather than his favoured role in the midfield, he said it was a case of taking what he could to get into the team.
"We've got amazing midfielders at the moment, and they're doing a great job and the wingers are doing jobs as well."
Sullivan said it left a bitter taste in the mouth to experience another loss to the Brumbies.
"We lost to them in the quarterfinal last year and the year before. It's never a good time to lose, especially against the Brumbies with our history with them.
"Being on a good winning streak is a learning curve. Sometimes, maybe you need a loss to put some reality back into the boys.
"We're looking forward to the Waratahs this week."
