NSW Waratahs assistant Matt Cockbain backs Carlo Tizzano to muscle up in Suncorp Stadium opener

A traditional No.7, Tizzano is battling with Charlie Gamble for Michael Hooper’s vacant jersey and is a talented youngster with a big future. He played just eight minutes of Super Rugby last year.

Even if Tizzano does comes off the bench, Cockbain said it would not take much to fire up the 21-year-old.

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Asked who could be the Waratahs’ enforcer this year, Cockbain said: “Carlo Tizzano has got that in him. He’s only had a handful of games at that level. He probably just needs to make sure he fulfils his regular role and he brings that aggression to his game naturally. He’s a strong carrier and he loves tackling and hitting guys. He’s probably the one I would say that would stand out in the forward pack.

“Physically he is ready to go. He bench presses 160kg and squats plenty. He has an excellent attitude. He’s just got to work at his game around linking and being smart around the field.”

A high turnover of players and lack of cohesion among the group will make things difficult for the Waratahs when they try to spring an upset on enemy territory.

The Waratahs square off against the Brumbies in Canberra the following week and have spoken at length about the need to be on from minute one as they try to improve on a fourth placing last year.

“Hopefully they get a really good crowd up there and it’ll be a hostile place for us and if we can knock them off it’ll be all the more sweet,” Cockbain said.

“We’ve got to put the pedal to the metal and let it rip straight up. The comp is eight games and then finals, so you’ve really got to hit the ground running. This ‘close enough is good enough’ [discussion], I don’t like that attitude. We want to be winning and we believe in what we’re doing.

“I know from experience the mentality the Queensland guys will go into this game with and it’s going to be really intense. Reds versus Waratahs is the one with all the history. You use that to pump yourself up, go out there, and not let your state down.”