Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will miss the Waratahs' crucial Super Rugby game against the Brumbies on Saturday, but skipper Phil Waugh has received the green light to play.

Ryan Cross will get his first Super start for NSW in the Canberra clash at outside centre, with newly re-signed Lachie Turner switching from that position to his regular spot on the wing.

Polota-Nau missed the loss to the Cheetahs last weekend after suffering a posterior cruciate knee ligament injury in the round three loss to the Crusaders.

NSW coach Chris Hickey had hoped to recall the dynamic hooker for Saturday's game, but time ran out for the Wallabies front rower.

"He trained yesterday and it was quite encouraging, but he's come out of that training quite sore today, so that's a pretty good sign that he's not ready to go," Hickey told AAP.

"We sort of felt that today was probably the deadline, but he's just not quite there so we've decided to rule him out and continue with his rehab and hopefully he might be on deck next week."

Former Brumby John Ulugia, who started in place of Polota-Nau against the Cheetahs, will be relegated to the reserves bench, with Damien Fitzpatrick running on at hooker.

Ulugia struggled with his lineout throws in his first Super start, with Fitzpatrick replacing him before halftime.

Waugh was rested from the Cheetahs game with a bicep problem, but trained well this week.

"He did a lot of work yesterday - tackling, wrestling - and came out of that really well, so he's all ready to go," Hickey said.

Turner, who on Thursday re-signed with NSW and Australia for two more seasons, replaces Atieli Pakalani, who suffered from some handling lapses in his first Super start.

"He (Pakalani) was disappointed with the handling errors, but he made things happen and he put himself in position and that was really positive," Hickey said of Pakalani.

"We just felt this week that having Crossy at 13 and Lachie Turner at wing will probably be our best option against the Brumbies."

With Polota-Nau dropping out, the extended NSW squad named on Wednesday has been reduced to 23.

Hickey will settle on his final 22 after travelling to Canberra on Friday.

"When we get down to Canberra, we'll make a few decisions based around what sort of conditions we think we might be playing under," Hickey said.

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