Waratahs stars Berrick Barnes and Adam Ashley-Cooper will both play in Saturday's season-opening blockbuster against the Reds despite failing to train with the squad on Monday, coach Michael Foley has confirmed.
The Test duo were among several players to sit out Monday's session at the SFS following Saturday's bruising trial against Tonga.
"Everyone will be right, there was a couple of niggles and those guys did rehab today in favour of being 100 percent fit for the weekend," Foley said on Monday.
"The concerns that everybody knows about are still there obviously, Lachie Turner (hamstring) won't play and he's going to be out for the season and Drew Mitchell (ankle) is going to be in a boot for another couple weeks until he begins his rehab running."
"So with the exception of Lachie, pretty much we're where we thought we could end up being, everybody else is fit and ready to go."
"We're hoping that everybody will train tomorrow."
No.8 Wycliff Palu and rookie winger Tom Kingston were the other players who failed to train on Monday, while injured skipper Rocky Elsom (hamstring) worked out away from the main group and is still won't return for several weeks.
With Turner and Mitchell both sidelined, young guns Kingston and Brackin Karauria-Henry will almost certainly line-up on the wings.
Foley expects the Reds to target his back three but is confident his young flyers are up to the challenge.
"Assuming those guys are selected I would think Queensland will look at opportunities to kick to our back three, that's how they've played their game for 12 months," he said.
"Queensland have a very clever tactical kicker in (Will) Genia ... I don't expect it to be anymore than it normally would be but that is a part of their game."
While Foley says perfecting their own game plan has been the Waratahs' main focus in the lead-up to the interstate grudge match, he admits shutting down Wallabies half-back Genia will be key.
"I think the battle amongst the forwards in any game, but particularly in this game with two such talented nines, (Genia and 'Tahs recruit Sarel Pretorius) is going to be critical."
"There's just no doubt about that."
"The work and execution of the forwards will set the back up and that's the way the game is played."
"Both nines are very good players, both nines are going to be a factor in the game and how big a factor will be largely dependent on the success of their forwards."
Meanwhile, Foley expects the Reds will cover the loss of injured flyhalf Quade Cooper, who'll miss at least the opening two months of the competition with a knee injury.
Mike Harris is expected to get first crack at the No.10 jumper, while utility Ben Lucas is also in the mix for the chief playmaking role.
"Quade added a certain spark last year ... so certainly Quade has what everybody refers to as a bit of an X factor, the things that you can't coach that he can do out of nothing, but they've got some pretty sharp players around their field," he said.
"I think Digby Ioane is that sort of guy, he'll be looking to be involved in the game and I think Ben Lucas as well, depending on where he plays, they've got a number of players who can do some special things."