A timely bye will give the NSW Waratahs the chance to repair their scrum and some damaged bodies and prepare for the return of one of their major weapons.

The Waratahs previously perfect start to the Super rugby season was shattered in a 33-18 loss to the Crusaders in Nelson on Friday.

After scoring 11 tries to nil and picking up a maximum ten points from their first two games, the Tahs suffered a bruising reality check.

Up 13-6 early, they conceded three tries and 27 straight points in the 15 minutes either side of the break.

Already missing playmaker Berrick Barnes, NSW suffered new casualties in hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee) and centre Rob Horne (elbow).

NSW coach Chris Hickey said in-form Polota-Nau hyperextended a knee but might just have suffered bone bruising, while Horne stretched the elbow he had an operation on.

With a bye in the coming week, Hickey didn't expect them to undergo scans until Monday and thought it was too soon to assess whether they would be fit for the next match at home to the Cheetahs.

One positive is the likely return in that match of blockbusting No.8 Wycliff Palu, from a hamstring problem.

"At this stage he's on track to be available for the Cheetahs game," Hickey told AAP.

"We've taken a few injuries out of the first three weeks,so it (the bye) is a chance to freshen up there a little bit.

"But at the same time because it's so early we've got to get some work done as well.

"The 22 players (picked against the Crusaders) will train on Tuesday and Thursday, so we need to keep some work up during that period of time."

One area Hickey and his forwards will definitely be focusing on is the scrum.

NSW were clearly second best in that department and found themselves frequently pushed back by a powerful Crusaders eight.

"We need to sit down and talk to the players to see what was happening out there and review the videos to see what occurred there," Hickey said.

He felt the early loss of Polota-Nau may have had some impact in that area, but wasn't necessarily the only reason for the scrum failings.

"One of his ( Polota-Nau's) strengths that is underestimated I think is his scrummaging ability and that probably did unsettle the scrum," Hickey said.

"Having said that, in the second half, we probably performed better in that area of the game."

One shining light for Hickey was the strong lineout performance of his side.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP