The NSW Waratahs are in enemy territory for Saturday night's Super 14 final against the Crusaders - not that you would know it.

If the Waratahs expected a hostile reception in Christchurch, they would be feeling very disappointed with their presence barely causing a ripple.

In a low-key build-up to Saturday's showdown at AMI Stadium, the Waratahs were able to dine in anonymity riverside on Wednesday night, while coverage of the big match was limited to one solitary article in the local paper on Thursday - about the visiting team.

The Christchurch Press did not even carry a story on the six-time champion Crusaders.

"We're a bit quiet. We don't like to show all our cards," one shopkeeper said.

"Don't worry. You'll see the team bus."

Apart from the classy Crusaders, who have won seven of their eight meetings with NSW on home soil, the Waratahs' biggest enemy may prove to be the chill factor.

Although the forecast is fine for Saturday, the mercury is set to drop to around six degrees.

The low temperature will be bearable but it is the kind of in-your-bones cold that will no doubt prove less than pleasant for the Waratahs.

NSW coach Ewen McKenzie will name his final line-up later on Thursday, with the Waratahs also to have their first training run in Christchurch.

McKenzie brought a 24-man squad across the Tasman, with back-row stalwart David Lyons in the most doubt with a hamstring injury that forced him out of last week's semi-final win over the Sharks.

"I'd say he's probably the one we've got the most concern about," McKenzie said.

Skipper Phil Waugh (cork) and hookers Tatafu Polota-Nau (hand) and Adam Freier (sternum) are also carrying minor injuries but all claim to be certainties to play.

Star winger Lote Tuqiri said he may well pop up at fullback at stages during the final after being used there with some success on the Waratahs' recent trip to South Africa.

"I'm playing on the wing. I've been playing there the whole year and looking to do that and play some footy," Tuqiri said, rejecting speculation he may even be named to start at fullback.

"The thing with the back three, we sort of roam and pretty much play as fullback and wingers anyway, so you can't sort of pigeon hole a winger into the winger's position.

"But we want to score tries as a winger and we've got a few of those this year and hopefully we get a few more on Saturday night."

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