The need for extra grunt up front and the emergence of a couple of young backs have combined to keep prize recruit Timana Tahu out of the Waratahs team for their Super 14 rugby clash with the Bulls in Pretoria this weekend.

Former league star Tahu, who has made just three Super appearances and missed the last seven games with a hamstring problem was passed fit to return this week.

However, Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie could find no place for Tahu in his 22 for this weekend's clash.

Anticipating a forward onslaught from the Bulls, McKenzie opted for an extra prop on his bench and just two backline reserves.

With Super rookie Rob Horne excelling at outside centre and another recruit Matt Carraro adding versatility to the bench, Tahu was one of four non-playing members of the squad of 26 which will head out of Sydney on Thursday.

"We're certainly happy with what Matty Carraro has been doing, he's been a pretty good performer coming in, he's added a lot of starch," McKenzie said.

McKenzie opted to reinforce his front row stocks by recalling Super rookie Sekope Kepu to the bench.

Test flanker Rocky Elsom was recalled immediately to the run on side after recovering from a thigh injury which sidelined him for five matches.

Elsom's return moved Dean Mumm from blindside flanker to the second row, with lock Will Caldwell dropping to the bench.

"We just think with Rocky coming in and Al Baxter coming in, it will give us a bit more experience up front and we will still have the benefit of (Wallabies prop) Matt Dunning coming off the bench," McKenzie said.

McKenzie said Baxter, who hasn't started a game since being knocked out in the round two clash with the Chiefs, was currently playing some of the best rugby of his career.

Baxter rated the Bulls scrum among the best in the Super competition and said that they had both good size and technique.

"We've been doing a fair bit of work looking at their scrums," Baxter said.

"They've got a really good scrum and a lot of Springboks in their pack and they've taken a few sides apart and it's going to be a real challenge," Baxter said.

"Horne welcomed rather than fretted over the return of Tahu, even though it meant he would probably be under greater pressure to maintain his starting spot.

"It's good, competition is always great for any squad and hopefully we both push each other pretty hard in training," Horne said.

The gifted 18-year-old back, who will be playing his first game in South Africa, was looking forward to taking on the big Bulls backs.

"They are all big boys and we found that out last week (against the Sharks) and they have the physicality and so do we," Horne said.

McKenzie didn't expect the Bulls to be distracted by some well publicised internal issues which included doubts over whether their Springbok lock Bakkies Botha would remain with the organisation.

"All the teams are pretty good now at managing their issues away from the field and getting on with business, so we expect them to front up," McKenzie said.

NSW: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Dean Mumm, Dan Vickerman, Will Caldwell, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, David Lyons, Beau Robinson, Brett Sheehan, Matt Carraro, Alfi Mafi.

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