Waratahs fullback Israel Folau has recently been in the news for both his off-field and on-field antics.

Glenn Delaney playing the underdog card is bound to make it difficult for some to keep a straight face.

But that's what the Highlanders' defence coach is doing ahead of Saturday night's match against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

That's right, a Kiwi team is playing the underdog card against an embattled Aussie side, despite bookies making the Highlanders the red hot favourites to heap more misery on Australian rugby.

Should the Hurricanes take care of the Reds in Wellington on Friday night, the Highlanders will get a shot at notching the 41st win on the bounce by a New Zealand Super team against their foes from across the ditch.

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​It's a sore point in Australia, even more so after the Waratahs coasted out to a 29-0 lead against the Crusaders in as many minutes in Christchurch last weekend, only to spew up their lead and lose by two points.

"For us, it's the biggest warning shot you could ever have, watching that game last week," Delaney said.

"What we've seen is they're a team that can score points and score them quickly. They're going to be a big threat to challenge. I expect them to be favourites heading into it because they're back on their home track with that sort of form. It's going to be a tough day for us."

As big of a talking point the streak is, no New Zealand coach or player has flung mud at the Aussies over it, or made a point of the importance of it.

But make no mistake, nobody wants to be in the team which squanders the run. Perhaps it was that thought which helped fuel the Crusaders' remarkable comeback last week.

GETTY IMAGES Highlanders defence coach Glenn Delaney has his work cut out this weekend.

Tasked with conjuring up a plan to stifle a Waratahs side stacked with Wallabies, particularly in the backs, is no easy feat for Delaney in his first season as Highlanders defence coach.

"When you look at who they've got playing there, [reserve halfback Nick Phipps] and 10 [Bernard Foley] are internationals, Kurtley Beale is playing pretty well, and then a guy called [Israel] Folau goes pretty good.

"Then [wing Taqele] Naiyaravoro. All of a sudden you're thinking 'that's some artillery they've got there'. Certainly when those guys function it gets them into positions on the field to be very, very dangerous."

Folau's aerial prowess was instrumental in the Waratahs' scorching start in Christchurch last week, although the Crusaders were guilty of repeatedly hoofing the ball down the fullback's throat.

Don't expect the 7-3 Highlanders, who have won five of the last six matches between the teams - their last loss was in 2014 (44-16) - to be so stupid as they attempt to keep the heat on the Hurricanes and Crusaders at the top of the Kiwi conference.

DIANNE MANSON/GETTY Highlanders fullback Ben Smith will return home for an ABs camp on Sunday morning, and won't head back to Australia to play the Reds next weekend.

While the Highlanders' All Blacks will return to New Zealand on Sunday for a three-day camp, the rest of the team will head to Brisbane to prepare for next weekend's clash with the Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

Consecutive wins in Australia is a must if they aren't to be left behind on the standings, particularly with a date against the Hurricanes in Dunedin looming on June 1, their final match before Super Rugby goes into hiatus.

"We want to keep improving, keep on getting better. And, of course, we want to finish strongly. The New Zealand conference is incredibly tight, so making sure we are doing everything we can do be in good shape for that is absolutely paramount," Delaney said.

DIANNE MANSON/GETTY IMAGES Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson was livid with his team's capitulation last weekend.

AT A GLANCE

Highlanders v Waratahs

Sydney, Saturday, 9.45pm

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

TAB odds: Highlanders $1.42, Waratahs $2.85

Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Sio Tomkinson, Tevita Nabura, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Tyrel Lomax, Ash Dixon (cc), Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Kalolo Tuiloma, Shannon Frizell, Marino Mikaele Tu'u, Kayne Hammington, Josh Ioane, Tevita Li.

Waratahs: Israel Folau, Cam Clark, Curtis Rona, Kurtley Beale, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper (captain), Will Miller, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tom Robertson. Reserves: Tolu Latu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Shambeckler Vui, Ryan McCauley, Jed Holloway, Nick Phipps, Lalakai Foketi, Bryce Hegarty.