Waratahs coach Michael Cheika says victory over arch-rivals the Brumbies is the only way to silence his side's critics.
In a week in which coaches from both teams are studiously avoiding supplying ammunition to each other through careless comments, Cheika dismissed suggestions he was engaging in mind games before their semi-final clash at Allianz Stadium.
"If you worry about too much of that parochialism, you'll get caught up and forget about what you need to do in the game," he said.
"We understand that we've been on the receiving end of [of barbs] over many years and [it is] warranted, because we haven't delivered. Here's a chance for us."
The NSW coach was responding to reports he had twisted comments, allegedly made by the Brumbies, that they were hoping the Sharks would beat the Highlanders because it would set up a showdown with the Waratahs this week.
"I saw it was written like some mind games, which is funny if the truth is being interpreted as a mind game," Cheika said.
"The reality is if they're cheering for the opposition, being the Sharks at the time, it means they think they're an easier chance of beating us rather than the Crusaders. It's pretty simple."
The Waratahs named a full strength side to play the Brumbies, with Israel Folau, Jacques Potgieter and Rob Horne all returning to the starting line-up.
Potgieter was a conspicuous no-show at training on Tuesday after heading home with a bout of flu, but the virus is not expected to impact his availability this weekend.
The starting team, otherwise unchanged, is a return to the tried and tested, match-winning line-up that helped the Waratahs build a seven-game winning streak this season.
Cheika also named plenty of firepower on an extended bench in the form of second-rower Will Skelton, prop Paddy Ryan and wingers Cam Crawford and Taqele Naiyaravoro, with veteran Mitchell Chapman included for valuable lineout experience.
Utility back Jono Lance missed out due to a knee injury and winger Peter Betham's lightning-fast return from a fractured foot will have to be via club rugby this weekend, after he was left out of the match squad.
Cheika said the Brumbies' thrilling win against the Chiefs last week showed they were becoming more and more a product of co-coach Stephen Larkham's style.
"Because he was such an influential playmaker, Stephen, they're very much becoming like him, choosing their times to run and choosing their times to kick," he said.
"They'll do the same [on Saturday], pick their opportunities when they're on, and the key thing for us then is to limit the opportunities they can see and, at the same time, remember that we're actually playing in this game as well.
"It's about concentrating on our style to give them plenty to deal with and then limiting the opportunities for them so they have less time to make decisions. That's challenging over 80 minutes because it means you're on edge all the time, looking to shut down the opposition and take your opportunities."
Cheika said the Brumbies would be nothing like the side the Waratahs' trounced 39-8 last month.
"Their key players are back ... and they've got just as many national players as we have and they have an excellent record in the last two or three seasons, so it's going to be a really good match," he said.
Waratahs: Israel Folau, Alofa Alofa, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (c), Stephen Hoiles, Kane Douglas, Jacques Potgieter, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Tolu Latu, Will Skelton, Mitchell Chapman, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Matt Carraro.
