NSW will use the sad passing of legendary Waratah and Wallaby David Brockhoff as added motivation to clinch a Super Rugby finals berth against the Brumbies on Saturday night.

Brockhoff, who played 26 matches for the Wallabies between 1949-53 and coached Australia for six years from 1974, died on Friday aged 83.

"Brock" - as he was affectionately known - beat the All Blacks as both a player and coach of the Wallabies, but will be best remembered by the Waratahs, who he played for between 1949-1954, as a father figure who attended almost every one of their training sessions right up until his passing.

"He's obviously been such an important part of the Waratahs and Australian rugby. He's been one of the family - and I don't say that lightly," NSW captain Phil Waugh told AAP on Friday.

"It's a great loss for everyone who knew him and, even to those who didn't know him, it's a huge loss for Australian rugby.

"He was just such a good man, a remarkable guy just to have done what he's been doing for so long.

"Regardless of how we played, he was always at the airport to see us off or to see us arrive home."

A flanker, Brockhoff played a total of 10 Tests, including both in Australia's 2-0 Bledisloe Cup-winning series in 1949.

His six-year Wallabies coaching tenure concluded in style in 1979 with a memorable 12-6 victory over New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground to regain the Bledisloe Cup.

Brockhoff is survived by his wife Claire, sons John and Peter and daughter Julia.

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