In a classic master versus apprentice match-up, Phil Waugh will play for his Australian rugby future and attempt to put rising Western Force star David Pocock in his place in Saturday's Super 14 clash at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Waugh versus Pocock is among the most crucial one-on-one battles in a derby of intriguing match-ups, which also include Timana Tahu on Ryan Cross and Wycliff Palu against Richard Brown.

The 29-year-old Waugh is locked in contract negotiations with the Australian Rugby Union while 20-year-old Pocock, who made his Test debut last year, is considered the NSW skipper's heir apparent as the Wallabies' openside flanker.

While the Brumbies' George Smith, also off-contract, is considered Australia's best No.7, Waugh and Pocock are widely considered to be fighting it out to be Smith's back-up.

"It will be good, won't it?" Waugh told reporters on Friday.

But asked if it was a chance to make a statement to the ARU, Waugh would only say: "I'm going out to have a good performance for the Waratahs and I go out there to perform well every week, so nothing changes.

"We're fully focused on what we've got to do to get the win.

"Everything else is secondary to that.

"Obviously winning battles across the ground's important ... but we're focused on our job here for our teammates and winning the game rather than anything else further down the track."

Waugh conceded his battles with rivals in the No.7 jersey, particularly All Black Richie McCaw, had fired his motivation previously.

"In the position that we play it's a very combative and competitive position and obviously throughout my career I've enjoyed battles like this," he said.

"(Pocock's) obviously young and looking forward to tomorrow night as well so it's a good clash."

One interested spectator will be Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who said on Friday he was more than happy to sit back and watch the battle unfold.

"The bloke that thrives the most will probably be off the back of the work of his teammates in terms of getting forward, getting over the gain line," Deans said.

"They're both capable of pilfering ball but you don't tend to pilfer a lot if the tide's going out, you tend to get exposed.

"It's going to be fascinating, more the tactical approach the teams take because both of those blokes do pose a threat for their respective opponents."

After their worst loss of the season, 20-6 to the Bulls last weekend, the Waratahs will also need to overcome a massive week off the field, which has included the funeral of former NSW representative Shawn Mackay and reports of contract dramas with Tahu and Al Baxter.

"We were disappointed with our performance (last week)," coach Chris Hickey said.

"Perhaps it had a little to do with it being week 10, because we hadn't had a bye.

"There was a bit of accumulative fatigue that occurs in this competition and we were a little flat there.

"We just realise we have to go out there with a bit more energy and put a performance on the park."

Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Timana Tahu, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Daniel Halangahu, Brett Sheehan, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Ben Mowen, Will Caldwell, Dean Mumm, Dan Palmer, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Chris Thomson, Luke Doherty, Luke Burgess, Kurtley Beale, Peter Playford.

Force: Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, James O'Connor, Cameron Shepherd, Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sam Wykes, Ben Castle, Tai McIsaac, Pek Cowan. Res: Ben Whittaker, AJ Whalley, Tom Hockings, Tamaiti Horua, Chris O'Young, Josh Tatupu, Haig Sare.

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