The NSW Waratahs are focusing on defence and insist they won’t rush into chasing a bonus point in their critical Super Rugby clash against the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

Only the Australian conference winner will make the playoffs, with the Tahs going into the final round level on points with the Brumbies, who lead them on total wins and are expected to win comfortably against the Western Force at home on Saturday.

“To go there with a mindset that we’re just going to play helter-skelter rugby would be foolish, our first priority is to win the game and then search for that bonus point,” Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said at Sydney Airport on Thursday.