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WARATAHS centre Tom Carter has made the stunning admission that the side didn't try hard enough and lacked passion during their woeful 2012 season.
Under the coaching of Michael Foley and captaincy of Rocky Elsom the Tahs lost 12 of their 16 games, including their last eight.
Carter says the team now cares and has rediscovered its hunger under new coach Michael Cheika and skipper Dave Dennis.
"Last year we probably didn't have the right behaviours, and we didn't train hard enough, and it didn't mean enough to us," Carter told the Daily Telegraph.
"This year we've really changed that, we're really passionate about the place, we care. We're working really hard to rectify it.
"That's the frustrating thing, we haven't seen the reward for all the hard work ... From a senior player's perspective in the group, it's about making sure that we can win those big moments.
"The more big moments you win, the better off you'll be at the back end of games. Big moments are starting well, converting your opportunities, not conceding soft points."
Carter is among NSW's senior players who have set about improving standards in training and believes a turnaround from their poor start this year - one win from four games - is imminent.
"If we were able to convert a few more of those big moments we'd be 3-1 instead of 1-3 and everyone would be talking about what a great start to the season the Waratahs have had," Carter said. "We're under no illusions about where we've got to go with it, as senior players we're quietly confident.
"All we can contribute is to drive the standards through the week and I think we've been preparing really well.
"The reality is we were never going to overcome our problems of the last season in a short period of time. The way we played the game, the way we approached it, and the physical state at times of how we tried to play the game, we just weren't able to do that. The most important thing is recognising that change take time. We are on the right path. It's easy enough to ask for patience from our fans and people, but if we keep hanging in and believing you'll see a good result in the not too distant future.
"We will come out the other side of this."
While the off-contract Carter - who has been at the Tahs since 2008 - was dropped from the 22-man squad for last weekend's loss to the Cheetahs, he has no qualms.
"Cheik has been a breath of fresh air, he is a coach you want to play for," he said.
"Hopefully I get another opportunity to play for him, but if not it's been a really good experience getting to know him and being under his tutelage.
"There is exciting times ahead for the organisation."
Either way, Carter will play on Sunday because the Australian club championship match will be a curtain-raiser to the Waratahs v Blues match.
Carter's Shute Shield champions Sydney University play northern premiers Queensland University on a fan day that includes discounted tickets.
Carter yesterday had his hair shaved at his former school, Knox Grammar in Wahroonga, in aid of The World's Greatest Shave initiative raising money for leukaemia research.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rug...-1226600162294
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