The NSW Waratahs wound back the clock in a bid to find a winning formula when they take on the Super 12 defending champion Blues in Auckland on Sunday.

NSW coach Ewen McKenzie selected two players who were integral to last year's campaign - five-eighth Shaun Berne and outside centre Matt Burke - as the Waratahs attempt to stop their run of three losses.

Berne replaced Tim Donnelly while former skipper Burke was called up with Ben Jacobs facing a likely long-term stint on the sideline with an ankle injury.

In one other change to the lineup which disappointed in the 32-17 loss to the Chiefs last round, tireless flanker Phil Waugh was ruled out with a pinched nerve in his shoulder.

Lei Tomiki was rushed from Sydney into the side for his first Super 12 start, while Justin Harrison took over Waugh's vice-captaincy duties.

Berne hasn't started a Super 12 match this year, but impressed with a zippy performance off the bench in Hamilton when he added some much-needed flair to the faltering backline.

He will likely mark All Blacks backline maestro Carlos Spencer, who is set to return from a fractured jaw in a bid to retrieve the Blues' wayward season, which has them 11th at the halfway mark.

Berne could have been forgiven for thinking he had a clear run at the NSW five-eighth jersey this season following the departure of rival Duncan McRae.

But he instead found himself out of the squad altogether with Donnelly showing good early-season form to take over the coveted position.

Berne set about training the house down, which impressed McKenzie.

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