Rugby Australia avoided a nightmare scenario of having to decide whether to enforce its new Wallabies resting policy at the likely expense of NSW playing finals, after the Waratahs' season was all but ended by the Brumbies last week.
It means Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale will all likely miss the match on Friday.
NSW can still make finals but they need a bonus-point victory and several results to fall their way.
Waratahs assistant coach Steve Tandy confirmed players would be rested and backed the next wave to step up.