Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie is confident of having another piece of the NSW rugby puzzle in place in the next week with the signing of Rocky Elsom.

The flanker, whose stocks have risen dramatically in the past two months to the point where he will make his Test debut against Samoa on Saturday, is in the midst of finalising his contract details with the Australian Rugby Union.

He will then decide on which province to play with in next year's Super 14 - NSW, WA or Queensland - but McKenzie suggested it was more an issue of clearing up the ARU details than mulling over a move.

"I don't know that it is going to be an issue about where he plays but until you have pen on paper you can't assume anything," McKenzie said.

McKenzie said he'd had some fruitful discussions with back-up five-eighth Tim Donelly and was currently in the process of working out a possible deal.

The Waratahs continue to wait on a decision by Brumbies winger Clyde Rathbone who has offers across the country.

There is expected to be one or two Super 14 contract positions at best available for the NSW end of season tour this year with the Waratahs forced to lock in signings sooner because of the Western Force entering the competition.

Details of the tour have been announced, with NSW to play matches against the Czech Republic, Russia and Romania and Romania A in October.

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