Lote Tuqiri says talk is cheap and the NSW Waratahs will be the only team walking the walk in Friday night's Super 14 grudge match against Queensland at the Sydney Football Stadium.

As has become customary over the years, the Waratahs and Reds have spent the week leading up to the annual interstate derby trading verbal jabs from north and south of the border.

Tuqiri on Wednesday hit back at Queensland playmaker Quade Cooper's claim that NSW played boring and structured rugby with the stinging claim that the Reds were merely "barbecue entertainers" come finals time each year.

And the talismanic winger - happy to have the last word - wasn't shying away on the eve of the blockbuster fixture.

"I guess you've got to back up what you say during the week, but I'm just looking forward to getting out there and putting it on the field rather than talking," Tuqiri said on Thursday.

"Actions speak louder than words. If we can go out there and do our job and do what we want to do, we'll come out on top."

Injured Queensland captain James Horwill laughed off Tuqiri's sledge and said the new-age Reds would continue playing adventurous, expansive rugby in search of their first win over the ladder-leading Waratahs in five years.

"I've been called a lot worse (than barbecue entertainers)," Horwill said.

"Lote's grown up in Brisbane so he's aware of the great climate up there for barbecues.

"I believe we're playing to what our strength is. We've got a lot of speed out wide and a lot of talent in the backline and we're using that to the best of our advantage."

Expecting NSW to play a typically tight game, Reds coach Phil Mooney said he could understand the Waratahs' relief at having Test prop Benn Robinson cleared on Thursday to play after recovering from a knock above the knee.

"Last year they strangled us and the set piece is a key component of that so I can understand them wanting to strengthen that," Mooney said before admitting the Reds faced their biggest test of the season against their undefeated arch-rivals.

"At the end of the day, we've won one game so, whilst we're heading to a style of game, this is a massive one for us because the Waratahs are leading the competition.

"With all due respect to the Cheetahs, the quality of side that we're going to play tomorrow night is going to be superior."

The Waratahs will be shooting for a record 10th straight home win, a feat last achieved by NSW between 1936 and 1938.

Little wonder Waratahs captain Phil Waugh had his game face on more than a day out from kick-off.

"There's a lot of history behind these games," Waugh said.

"Growing up as a kid, you watch NSW-Queensland whether it's league or union and I guess this is one of those emotional events that you're blessed to be a part of.

"And you only get so many cracks at it, so we can talk as much as we like now about what's going to happen tomorrow night, but it's about how we perform tomorrow night that matters."

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