NSW winger Lote Tuqiri says the heavyweight Hurricanes would be crazy not to run at lightweight Waratahs five-eighth Mat Rogers in Saturday's pivotal Super 14 match at Aussie Stadium.

But he warned against it.

The Chiefs's ploy to attack through Rogers' defensive channel paid dividends in Hamilton last weekend with the New Zealanders running out surprising five-tries-to-four winners over the Waratahs.

At 85kg, Rogers is not the biggest flyhalf in world rugby and the Waratahs are expecting the Hurricanes' devastating back-row of Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe and powerful centres Tana Umaga and Ma'a Nonu to also target the dual international in defence.

"They'd be stupid not to want to do that if they thought it worked last week against the Chiefs," Tuqiri said.

"We've been expecting that and training for that all week and Matty's a great defender. He certainly doesn't back down and I just think he probably just had a bit of an off night.

"Matty is going to welcome allcomers when it comes to defence on the weekend. He's a proud man.

"He's a great player in defence and attack since he's been playing rugby. He's obviously more noted for his attack, but his defence is right up there and we welcome other teams to target him because that would lessen the burden a lot of other guys in defence."

Much has been made of Rogers' tackling lapses against the Chiefs but he wasn't the sole culprit in what was easily the worst defensive performance of the season from the Waratahs.

Tuqiri promised NSW fans there'd be no repeat in the sellout encounter between the competition's second and third-placed teams.

The winner will be guaranteed a home sudden-death semi-final the following week and, if the Crusaders seal top spot with victory over the Brumbies, the victor will also gain a psychological edge heading into their rematch a week later.

"Maybe, maybe not," Tuqiri said.

"Whoever loses the game would be a lot smarter the next week after pinpointing where they went wrong.

"It's going to be interesting seeing where all (semi-final) teams fall at the end of the weekend. We might get to play the Hurricanes again or we might get the chance to play a home semi and hopefully a home final.

"The Brumbies can do us a favour tomorrow night by knocking off the Crusaders, which is unlikely, so we've just got to try to win the game this weekend. That's all we're focused on.

"Obviously we need to put in a better defensive effort than last weekend and I'm sure that's going to happen."

NSW coach Ewen McKenzie made one change to his team, opting for Stephen Hoiles at No.8 in place of David Lyons.

Flanker Wycliff Palu was not considered for selection despite his recovery from a shoulder injury, with McKenzie deciding he needed one more week's rest.

The Hurricanes will be without the steadying influence of David Holwell with the experienced five-eighth ruled out with an infected knee.

The attacking Jimmy Gopperth will start at flyhalf, with coach Colin Cooper promising the Hurricanes will play more with ball in hand in a determined bid for priceless five-pointers.

The Hurricanes could yet steal top spot with a bonus-point win and defeat for the Crusaders, so tries are the order of the night for the visitors.

"We haven't been playing the rugby that we want and the fans want. We understand that," Cooper said.

"We've got to get excited. We're in the semis, that's a goal we wanted to achieve. Now we want a home semi and it's all up to us."

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