NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has shrugged off criticism of his defending champion side’s stuttering Super Rugby form, saying it’s just that the bar has been raised.

Cheika believes his side has been steadily improving as they chase a hat-trick of wins following an opening round loss when they take on the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday night.

“If you asked me at the same time last year after a couple of away wins, I would have been cheering,” Cheika said.

“We’ve got to be balanced in our view of things and not compare ourselves to what we did last year.

“One of the big things for us this year is we’ve got more expectations on ourselves.”

The battle under the closed roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium should be intriguing.

The Waratahs have made the most metres (541), the most clean breaks (10.7) and beaten the most defenders (25) on average this season.

But the Highlanders, who made the finals in 2014 finishing sixth, have conceded just one first-half try this year; the fewest in Super Rugby.

They are also high on confidence after knocking off the highly-rated Chiefs in Hamilton last round.

Cheika said the breakdown would be fiercely contested by the Highlanders’ mobile pack, who are second in the competition for turnovers while NSW are 14th.

The home side have drafted in openside flanker Shane Christie after his recovery from a hamstring injury to mark Waratahs gun Michael Hooper.

Cheika said his players needed to be on their game for the full match, with the Highlanders overcoming the Chiefs in the final four minutes.

He said Highlanders players such as Aaron Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Lima Sopoaga and Ben Smith were a constant danger.

“They’ve got a lot of x-factor and are very hard working in the pack,” Cheika said.

“Particularly in defence we’re going to have to be really detailed on our game.

“We have to make sure our defence isn’t deceived by the illusion of width that they have because they’ve got players all over the park.”