Waratahs pack to step up against Chiefs

Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau says the team's forwards are determined to reassert themselves as a dominant pack when they face the Chiefs in Saturday's must win Super 14 rugby clash in Hamilton.

The Waratahs lost 26-10 to the Highlanders at Invercargill on Friday after being completely outplayed in the forwards and outmuscled at the breakdown.

Wallabies hooker Polota-Nau, who returned to the side last Friday after missing the previous game with a shoulder injury, said the Waratahs forwards had discussed where they went wrong against the Highlanders.

Polota-Nau says that the Waratahs' problems were down to attitude rather than technical deficiencies.

"As a group we weren't very happy with our efforts on Friday, we are a much better and capable side than that," Polota-Nau said.

"The onus on us is to make sure we put our best foot forward on Saturday." he told AAP.

"It's definitely an attitudinal thing. We just want to make sure that as a forward pack, we are dominant."

Polota-Nau added that he was expecting the Chiefs pack to adopt a similar approach as the Highlanders did against them.

"They will probably look to go around the same area to exploit us, but we've got to make sure that we can rule that out by just getting the confidence once again during the training week," Polota-Nau said.

"It's about their forwards giving their backs forward momentum."

"They are a big pack and they use their forwards really well, so if we make sure we bring our attitude to stop them from getting any forward momentum, then hopefully we are in with a chance."

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey is expected to name his strongest front row combination, by reuniting Benn Robinson with Polota-Nau and Al Baxter.

Robinson arrived in New Zealand on Sunday after missing the Waratahs last two matches due to fractures in his forearm with youngster Dan Palmer filling in for Robinson last week.

"Dan Palmer really filled Benn's boots - which are big shoes to fill - really well and I give him full credit for playing loosehead, when he is more of a tighthead," Polota-Nau said.

"But having Benn back, he's just another experienced campaigner and he really knows how to control a set piece, both in scrums and line-outs."

Robinson and centre Rob Horne who has also missed the last two matches trained with the team on Monday.