For the Chiefs, their injury issues pre-dated the All Blacks camps of course. Of their first-choice starting pack, only two (Brodie Retallick and Nathan Harris) will take to the field against the Waratahs.

But the Waratahs will also be well aware of the disruption the All Blacks have caused them over the past week.

First, the Chiefs' All Blacks were removed halfway through their two-week tour of South Africa, resulting in the loss to the Sharks last weekend.

And while the non-Test Chiefs were returning from South Africa in the early part of the week, their All Blacks contingent was up in Auckland working on the All Blacks' plan for the French series.

To make matters worse, their captain Sam Cane is still not available due to an abdominal strain.

There is also a selection in the Chiefs side that intrigues, because it speaks to the threat New Zealanders feel from Israel Folau.

Solomon Alaimalo, who is normally a winger, has gone to fullback. Alaimalo is a tall man at 1.96m and offers a bigger body to contest the cross-kick to Folau.

In fact, the Wallabies may be getting a preview of the Bledisloe Cup, insofar as the All Blacks could well put the 1.96m Jordie Barrett at No. 15 to compete aerially with Folau.

However, before the Waratahs can start thinking about using Folau, the challenge they must confront against the Chiefs is twofold: Winter has come to New Zealand this week; and the Chiefs will go after them in the tight five.

That may sound surprising given the likes of Damian McKenzie in the No. 10 jersey but the back line has not convinced over the past month while at the same time a strongman has emerged in the No. 1 jersey to join forces with the renaissance man in No. 3.

Loosehead Karl Tu'inukuafe will be a virtual unknown outside New Zealand but he is a noted scrummager who will provide a good test for Sekope Kepu.

​The renaissance man is Angus Ta'avao, who did not build a reputation for scrummaging at the Waratahs yet has been outstanding for the Chiefs after injuries gave him an opportunity.

Still, if the Waratahs can win this battle, in what will likely be wet conditions, they will suddenly like their chances, especially with a back row that looks full of running.

As for the Reds, the list of All Blacks' absentees from the Highlanders team sheet tells the story.

No Ben Smith, no Luke Whitelock - two of the team's leaders - no Liam Coltman and even no Shannon Frizell, the new All Blacks squad member. All have been withdrawn to satisfy All Blacks' 'rest periods' during Super Rugby.

It is true that Aaron Smith and Liam Squire are on the bench but this is still the weakest-looking Highlanders team this season, with one current All Black (Waisake Naholo) in their starting XV.

There is a certain madness to predicting two Australian victories and I would not quite go that far.

However, with ​the All Blacks holding sway over the New Zealand franchises this week, with another national training camp to start on Sunday, the Waratahs and the Reds have at least been given a true chance to get the job done.