NSW are intent on containing rampaging Hurricanes Rodney So'oialo and Ma'a Nonu in Saturday's Super 14 clash in Wellington, but they won't have to worry about All Blacks star Piri Weepu.

Test halfback Weepu, who was scheduled to play at five-eighth, was forced out after failing a fitness test on an ankle injury he suffered at training on Wednesday.

New Zealand under-20 representative Daniel Kirkpatrick was named to replace Weepu and will make his Super debut.

He can expect to face plenty of pressure from the Waratahs' new back row combination of Phil Waugh, Ben Mowen and Scott Fava.

Weepu joined two other All Blacks, hooker Andrew Hore and centre Conrad Smith on the Hurricanes injury list.

They can still call upon eight members of New Zealand's 2008 Grand Slam touring party, including some renowned ground gainers.

"I think (captain and No.8) Rodney So'oialo is definitely their key player," Waratahs winger Lachie Turner said.

"He is such an explosive ball runner and such a hard man that when he's playing well it really boosts their side, so we'll certainly have to try and shut him down.

"But also (centre) Ma'a Nonu is an explosive ball runner and a strong defender so we'll be looking to try and limit his control of the game."

Turner said new coach Chris Hickey had made subtle changes to the Waratahs style.

The season opener represents a significant challenge for a new-look NSW pack missing the departed Test trio of Dan Vickerman, David Lyons and Rocky Elsom and injured Wallabies props Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu.

"We have to muscle up against them and we just need to play the game at our tempo," Turner said.

"The Hurricanes traditionally have been a very fast team that really like to counter-attack and play off other teams' errors.

"We just need to play at our pace and make sure that we dont give them those chances to counter-attack against us and I think if we can do that, that will go a long way towards helping us win the game."

The Waratahs play all the New Zealand franchises in the first seven rounds, with their first three matches against teams from across the ditch.

Following this week's game, NSW play eight of their next nine matches in Australia, seven of them in Sydney.

"If we can really set ourselves up in the first half of the season, leading into the last couple of home games and the three games in South Africa, then we'll be in pretty good shape," Turner said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP