The NSW Waratahs have identified five-eighth Andre Pretorius as the key man in the Lions side they must subdue as they attempt to re-establish the winning habit in Super rugby in Johannesburg this weekend.

The Waratahs lost their last three games of the 2006 campaign by a combined margin of just nine points as they bowed out in the semi-finals.

"We lost three at the end of last year which was unusual for us, but we've come through a couple of wins in our trials, so we've turned that around," said coach Ewen McKenzie.

"We will be wanting to get off to a good start, we want to be a team that makes winning a habit.

"Even though we've got seven home games, when you are playing teams like the Crusaders that are going to come and play us at home, they are not points in the bank."

None of their first three opponents, South Africa's Lions, Sharks and Cheetahs, made last season's semi-finals.

The Waratahs are keen to win at least two of the three games on tour as they have a bye in round four and a couple of early losses in South Africa could see them slip behind the early front-runners.

"It's a very important block of games for us I think, coming back with the bye as well," NSW captain and flanker Phil Waugh said.

The combined caps tally for the new-look Waratahs' side is well short of the near 600 tally of players who have either departed the franchise after last season or are at presently injured.

Among those not available are injured Test forwards Daniel Vickerman, Matt Dunning and Al Kannar plus departed former rugby league backs Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor and previous captain Chris Whitaker.

The Lions, who as the Cats have finished either bottom or second last in each of the previous five seasons, will also field a depleted and youthful side.

Leading them from five-eighth will be captain and prolific pointscoring Springbok Pretorius.

"Pretorius is very central to their psyche, he's playing the pivotal role," McKenzie said.

"We're aware of how he tries to play, we've done some research there."

McKenzie expected the Lions to target some of his younger forwards.

"It will be important to compete early, things might not go our way, they will be pumped up but we've got to work our way through it," McKenzie said.

NSW Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Peter Hewat, Morgan Turinui (vc), Ben Jacobs, Lote Tuqiri, Daniel Halangahu, Josh Valentine, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Rocky Elsom, Will Caldwell, Ben Hand, Alastair Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Aaron Broughton-Rouse, Dean Mumm, Tim Davidson, Brett Sheehan, Kurtley Beale, Sam Harris.

Lions: Earl Rose, Louis Ludik, Jaque Fourie, Doppies la Grange, Jannie Boshoff, Andre Pretorius (capt), Enrico Januarie, Willem Alberts, Ernst Joubert, Cobus Grobbelaar, Anton van Zyl, Cobus Grobler, Kenny Mackenzie, Willie Wepener, Heinke van der Merwe. Reserves: Ashton Constant, Brian Mujati, Gordon Gilfillan, Franco van der Merwe, Jano Vermaak, Louis Strydom, Jaco van Schalkwyk.

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