Israel Folau is urging teammates to ignore the hype as the Waratahs fight to save Australia from a humiliating whitewash at the hands of NZ teams.

Waratahs winger Cam Clark admits he is still finding his feet in XVs but is happy to keep learning at whatever position coach Daryl Gibson instils faith in him at.

FFA has been unsuccessful in their quest to have the Waratahs match against the Blues moved to North Sydney Oval.

Waratahs star Israel Folau says he couldn't care less that Alan Jones thinks he's overrated but acknowledges he isn't guaranteed a Wallabies jersey following the auspicious performances of a former NRL teammate in Karmichael Hunt.

The Waratahs have changed their tune on two fronts regarding the injury status of winger Taqele Naiyaravoro and the guaranteed return of halfback Jake Gordon ahead of a must-win match against the Auckland Blues.

Powerful winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is in major doubt for the NSW Waratahs' Super Rugby home clash with the Blues in Sydney on Saturday.

Waratahs coach knows his side's three-point win over the Reds will mean little if they can't back it up against the Blues.

The Reds coach was left fuming at a 16-4 penalty count, while the Waratahs know they must string wins together after beating old rivals Queensland in an emotional derby.

Another win over the Reds has kept the Waratahs alive after NSW won a dramatic showdown at Suncorp Stadium.

• Peter FitzSimons

Listen, when it comes to Alan Jones, I've had to put another man on, just to keep track of the things I violently disagree with him on – and I have done so for 34 years now.

The Reds captain wants to start an era of domination over NSW, akin to their rugby league counterparts.

Waratahs defence coach Nathan Grey has refuted the suggestion Queensland will have more passion in Saturday night's clash.

The Waratahs coach is betting on the halfback's competitive streak being more important than his form.

Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne has rejected Alan Jones' suggestion Israel Folau is overrated and urged senior Waratahs players to relax and not try too hard in their quest to get a win against the Queensland Reds.

Wallabies Nick Phipps and Dean Mumm return for the NSW Waratahs' Super Rugby derby against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Waratahs and NSW Rugby Union chief executive Andrew Hore accepts it will take some time to restore faith among fans following the lowest-ever Waratahs home crowd on Friday.

Karmichael Hunt admits the Queensland Reds can't afford to lose another Australian conference derby if they are to reach the Super Rugby finals, underlining the importance of Saturday's clash with the NSW Waratahs.

Roger Davis and Andrew Hore back Waratahs coach despite calls for him to be sacked.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has come out swinging by suggesting four local Super Rugby teams is the right way forward and that Australian rugby has a major problem when it comes to developing players and coaches.