The NSW Waratahs are prepared to continue resting playmaker Berrick Barnes against his wishes to preserve his own long-term welfare after a series of head knocks.

Barnes is understood to be keen to return at five-eighth in Saturday night's Super Rugby derby against the desperate Western Force after missing NSW's scrappy 23-16 win over the Chiefs.

The Wallabies inside centre also put his hand up to play last Friday night after being cleared for a return following his latest concussion against the Brumbies in Canberra but was denied the chance.

"He was cleared last week medically but we just felt his welfare and the fact we've still got 12 weeks to go were factors in the decision making," Waratahs coach Chris Hickey told AAP.

"He had his hand up to play, that was his attitude. He felt he was all good."

Even with skipper Phil Waugh (calf) in doubt for the trip to Perth and a positive CT scan, Hickey said he was in no mood to rush Barnes back until he was certain he was ready.

"It will be a matter of talking to Berrick Monday or Tuesday and seeing how he feels in himself," he said.

"It's a decision we need to make for his welfare, both short-term and long-term."

A tough and reliable low defender who consistently puts his body on the line, the Brisbane league convert has built up a long history of head knocks dating back to his time with the Broncos and Queensland Reds as a teenager.

Former mentor and Wallabies great Tim Horan is among those who hold concerns about Barnes' future welfare due to the fact a number of concussions have been a result of simple knocks in tackles.

Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale produced a solid display in Barnes' place at No.10 against the Chiefs and Hickey will keep him in the playmaking role if the 24-year-old is kept in cotton wool.

Waugh will undergo an MRI scan on a suspected calf strain on Monday but the Waratahs remain hopeful he can play, along with flyer Lachie Turner (elbow) and prop Benn Robinson (rib).

This season's draw has done NSW no favours with the 2010 semi-finalists running into a highly-desperate team week after week.

The Waratahs now face a Force outfit hellbent on atoning for a devastating 26-25 loss to the Melbourne Rebels.

It follows meetings with the Rebels on debut, arch-rivals Queensland, the heart-broken Crusaders, winless Cheetahs, besieged Brumbies and desperate Chiefs.

"They've all had their issues haven't they?" said Hickey, whose team has copped criticism for negative and sometimes-sloppy play.

"When the team you are playing is a little bit more desperate it just adds a little bit more to it.

"You have to deal with the cards that you get dealt with."

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