Everything old is new again in the NSW Waratahs line-up for Saturday's must-win Super 12 clash with the Highlanders.

Matt Burke returns to fullback, where he established his Test career, Duncan McRae regains the five-eighth jersey and Test prop Patricio Noriega takes over at tighthead in his first Super 12 match since injuring his back in round one.

NSW coach Bob Dwyer opted for the experienced trio for the Dunedin clash as the Waratahs bid to keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the Super 12 play-offs.

Five-eighth Shaun Berne and prop Al Baxter have been relegated to the bench, as has Scott Staniforth, who has been in indifferent form, with Milton Thaiday starting on the wing.

With outside centre Burke moving to fullback to replace the injured Mat Rogers, Morgan Turinui will start at No.13, while halfback Chris Whitaker also returns from an ankle injury.

Simon Kasprowicz has replaced Rocky Elsom (shoulder) at blindside flanker.

McRae said the Waratahs were desperate to make amends for a disappointing month of rugby, and if they were going to bow out of the semi-final running, they wanted to do it in style.

"We're really looking forward to putting a good performance together on the field," he said.

"Which end of the scoreboard we come out, we don't know but it's more about the quality of the performance.

"It's our grand final so we're going to leave it all on the field this week."

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