NSW coach Ewen McKenzie is contemplating bringing backline stars Timana Tahu and Sam Norton-Knight back into his starting side for Saturday's do-or-die Super 14 final round clash with Queensland in Brisbane.

Currently third on the ladder, the Waratahs will seal a semi-finals spot if they vanquish their old foe at Suncorp Stadium but could miss out on the top four if they lose.

NSW returned to Sydney on Monday with most of their baggage, including all their playing and training gear, still in South Africa.

McKenzie said the Waratahs might have to train in club gear on Tuesday but didn't anticipate their luggage woes proving a problem in the lead-up to a match which he said would be all about "attitude" as opposed to preparation.

He reported NSW had a number of "damaged bodies" but was adamant everyone would be fit for the clash with the Reds.

McKenzie said the wet conditions in Cape Town hadn't helped with health issues such as prop Matt Dunning's lingering calf problem, while young winger Lachie Turner suffered a head knock.

Norton-Knight and Tahu both came off the bench in Saturday's 13-13 draw with the Stormers and McKenzie suggested each would come under consideration for a start on Saturday.

Both men have only recently returned to action after missing a significant chunk of the Super campaign through injury.

McKenzie tried Lote Tuqiri at fullback in Cape Town and said the Wallabies winger touched the ball more times than any other Waratah, but left open the possibility of a backline reshuffle.

He was pleased with what Tahu and Norton-Knight provided off the bench.

Asked if Norton-Knight could return to fullback this week, McKenzie said: "It's a possibility".

Questioned about the run-on prospects of Tahu, who started his rugby career on the wing but came on at outside centre last week, McKenzie said the former league star would definitely come under consideration.

Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh felt the last fortnight provided his team with good preparation for a finals campaign and compared it to England's World Cup campaign last year.

"You look at England during the World Cup last year and the pressure that they had to go under going into the finals made a big difference when they got there, so hopefully it can have the same effect on us," he said.

While disappointed he wouldn't get the chance to play against injured Queensland fullback Chris Latham, Waugh stressed both teams had plenty to play for on Saturday.

"We know it's a big game, their last of the season, we've got an enormous amount to play for, so it all shapes up for a big clash," Waugh said.

He suggested the Waratahs would go with the verbal flow which always accompanies their interstate battles with the Reds and said his team handled big game pressure better than in the past.

Waugh thought the Reds would also be motivated by the final appearance in a Queensland shirt of opposing openside flanker David Croft.

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