Berrick Barnes has applauded the decision to give NSW Waratahs team mate Tatafu Polota-Nau a break following another head knock after he suffered similar problems earlier in the season.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said on Monday hooker Polota-Nau would miss Saturday's home game with Western Force after suffering a head knock in last week's clash with Melbourne.

"Given we've got the bye the following week, that will give him a three-week break which is good and hopefully then that means he will be right for the rest of the season," Hickey told reporters on Monday.

"The main thing from our point of view is the welfare of the player and that has to override other priorities.

"Tatafu was like `I'm fine, I'm ready to go' but particularly given we've got the bye it's a great opportunity for us to be cautious."

Five-eighth Barnes, who returned to action against Melbourne after missing four games following his second head knock of the season, said he had spoken to Polota-Nau on the subject, but didn't wish to divulge details.

However, he was convinced his Wallabies and Waratahs team mate was doing the right thing in sitting out.

"He's got to get some time off and get himself right," Barnes said.

"He's feeling good and everything like that which is great, that's good news, but you've got to be a bit more precautionary."

Asked if he had altered his own style or technique to avoid further head knocks Barnes quipped: "just not get my head in the road".

Barnes conceded NSW would miss Polota-Nau, whose kamikaze-like approach and seeming disregard for his own safety frequently puts him in the firing line.

"There's no-one else in Australian rugby that does what he does, I don't care what anyone says," Barnes said.

"So we're definitely going to miss him, but in saying that we've just got to make do.

"We've got a bye after this and it couldn't probably have come at a better time for us, this is a massive game (against the Force) for us, we've got to be up for it mentally."

Barnes said he had pulled up sore but had been happy to get through close to 75 minutes of his comeback match.

With Polota-Nau and his deputy Damien Fitzpatrick both injured, John Ulugia is poised to make just his second Super start on Saturday.

Sydney University's Ben Roberts, who has been training with the Waratahs for the last two weeks, is the likely replacement hooker, though Hickey will consider other Sydney club players.

Hickey hoped No.8 Wycliff Palu would be available for the game against the Lions following the bye.

Failing that, he expected Palu to be fit for the following two-game tour of South Africa.

Waratahs captain and openside flanker Phil Waugh, who like Palu is suffering from a hamstring problem, could also be fit by the time of the South African trip.

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