Recalled prop Sekope Kepu says Waratahs coach Michael Cheika’s selection policy is keeping everyone on their toes.

Kepu’s return at the expense of fellow Wallabies prop Paddy Ryan for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington, is the only change to the run-on side that defeated Western Force last week.

Front-rower Kepu hasn’t started for the Waratahs in the past three games and was on the bench for the past two.

The 23-cap Wallaby had no complaints about being demoted from the starting lineup after the Waratahs’ crushing 35-6 loss to the Brumbies.

“I’ve come back off the Brumbies week and didn’t really have a great performance, that’s rugby,” Kepu told AAP.

“I’ve had a look at my previous games in the year and just tried to work on the little things.”

First-season Waratahs coach Cheika has shown reputations count for little.

He started NSW and Wallabies scrum anchor Benn Robinson on the bench for the Waratahs’ first game of the season.

Fellow Wallabies front-rowers Kepu, Ryan and Tatafu Polota-Nau have all been named on the bench at different stages of the campaign.

“Guys are giving each other good competition and ‘Cheik’ has been able to manage that and keep us on our toes,” said Kepu, who recently re-signed with NSW until the end of the 2015 season.

“That’s always great for a team environment. You are never taking your place for granted.”

He said the Hurricanes, who are one spot and one point ahead of NSW, have a quality pack and great finishers in their back three.

“If we can impose ourselves and do well up front as a tight five, I think it will take us a long way to doing well,” Kepu said.

Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu has been named on the bench after missing the past four games with an ankle injury, while hooker Luke Holmes has taken over the reserve hooker role from Polota-Nau, who suffered a head knock last week.

NSW Waratahs: Israel Folau, Peter Betham, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Brendan McKibbin, Pat McCutcheon, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis (capt), Kane Douglas, Sitaleki Timani, Sekope Kepu, John Ulugia, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Luke Holmes, Paddy Ryan, Mitchell Chapman, Wycliff Palu, Matt Lucas, Ben Volavola, Tom Kingston.