The humbled Waratahs intend to produce passion and heart against the Brumbies on Saturday after an old fashioned honesty session following their humiliating Super Rugby loss to the Cheetahs.

The players had a longer than usual game review on Monday to cover the many problems evident during their lacklustre performance against the South Africans who had never won on foreign soil before Saturday night.

NSW coach Chris Hickey said Wallabies prop Benn Robinson would miss two to three games with a fractured rib, but he hoped to have skipper and openside flanker Phil Waugh and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau back for the clash in Canberra.

A decision will be made following training on Tuesday.

Hickey was adamant his team hadn't suffered from complacency, but backrower Ben Mowen admitted they hadn't paid the Cheetahs respect.

"I think we definitely underestimated the Cheetahs," Mowen said before training on Monday.

"As a playing group we didn't do the work that needed to be done for a team that had pushed a lot of teams that they had played throughout the year and shown a lot of heart.

"We may have taken that for granted, the fact we got beaten the way we did suggests we did take that for granted.

"Moving forward, we've got to play with a lot of heart and a lot of passion for each other, the way we have for most of the three years I've been down here.

"It was obviously a pretty frustrating and disappointing weekend for everyone involved and a lot of lessons learnt, but no light ones.

"It was a lot easier looking at the video than it was looking at each other in the eye this morning, I think no-one walked off the field saying that they played anywhere near their best."

Mowen said the coaching staff wasn't involved in the review as he felt they had nothing to do with the loss.

"All of the responsibility fell on us (players), so it was just something we had to address," Mowen said.

Hickey said Saturday's game was important for the Brumbies as they had their own issues, while the match in Canberra represented a chance for NSW to get their campaign back on track.

"They have obviously got a lot to prove and it's a pivotal game for them as far as their season is concerned, so it will be a tough challenge," Hickey said.

"We realise they have got a great winning record down there in Canberra, but it's an important game for us, because it gives us a chance to make some amends for the performance on Saturday."

Hickey said Sekope Kepu was the likely replacement for Robinson, though young props Jeremy Tilse and Paddy Ryan were both progressing well.

He said Lachie Turner didn't get much chance to show his wares in the unfamiliar position of outside centre but Ryan Cross would come into the selectors' discussions for that spot.

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