NSW Waratahs downplayed allegations of disharmony in their camp as they strive to end their Super Rugby form slump against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night.

Prior to heading to Canberra, captain Phil Waugh and coach Chris Hickey answered questions pertaining to a report of player bickering and unrest in Friday's Sydney Morning Herald in the wake of their losses to the Crusaders and Cheetahs.

Waugh, who returns to the side after missing the Cheetahs game with a bicep injury, declared the team is "still pretty solid".

Hickey expressed confidence that he still had the support of the Waratahs players and predicted events of the last week would draw them closer and make them stronger.

Openside flanker Waugh said there had been a lot of soul searching among the players following their widely criticised display against the Cheetahs.

"It's still a pretty solid group, but tomorrow's performance will reflect how solid we are and how we go about our business," Waugh told reporters.

Hickey said he would be concerned as a coach if the players hadn't been angry and disappointed following their performance against the Cheetahs.

"They had a hard look at their own performance and it wasn't a matter of pointing the finger at other people, it was more a matter of self analysis," Hickey told reporters.

Asked whether he thought he had lost the players' support, Hickey said: "No, not at all.

"Sometimes out of adversity comes strength and I think that, while it wasn't a pleasant experience, the Cheetahs game, I think that as a team we'll actually come closer and be stronger together."

Hickey said winger Drew Mitchell was fine and had no issues after leaving training early on Tuesday with hamstring tightness.

Waugh hoped NSW would try to get back to the form it displayed in victories over Melbourne and Queensland.

He was confident his arm was fine and wasn't concerned the Brumbies might target it and pay him even more attention than usual at the breakdown.

"I normally get some (attention) against the Brumbies," joked Waugh.

"It's going to be a pretty heated battle on the weekend."

He was confident the scrum would step up after a couple of sub-standard efforts and backed veteran centre Ryan Cross to make a successful first start in Waratahs colours.

"He gives that stability to the backline I guess, with his experience, 12 or 13 years in professional football," Waugh said.

Hickey suggested the move of Wallabies utility Adam Ashley-Cooper from outside centre to fullback in the Brumbies backline would probably create a few more threats to his defence.

"Obviously by moving Adam to fullback they are looking to give him a bit more space to have an impact on the game,"Hickey said.

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