Phil Waugh, NSW's very own Captain Courageous, will join one of rugby's most exclusive clubs when he leads the Waratahs in their Super 14 semi-final clash with the Sharks at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

Waugh, still only 28, will join former captains and teammates Matt Burke and Chris Whitaker and fellow back-rower David Lyons - who brought up his century earlier this season - as the only four players to have made 100 appearances for the Waratahs.

The dynamic flanker made his state debut in 1999 and, after missing most of 2007 with an ankle injury, will crack the ton in NSW's most important match of 2008 thus far.

Rookie centre Rob Horne has been recalled to the Waratahs starting line-up.

Horne replaces Matt Carraro at outside centre after NSW coach Ewen McKenzie benched the teenager last week to freshen him up for the sudden-death playoffs.

"This end of season is about managing the squad we've been working with for the entire campaign," McKenzie said before training today.

Horne's inclusion means star league recruit Timana Tahu will again start from the bench.

In the only other change from the NSW team that downed Queensland last week to clinch an all-important home semi-final, Adam Freier replaces injured hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (hand), with Al Manning the new reserve rake.

NSW captain Phil Waugh will join an elite club when he becomes only the fourth play to make 100 appearances for the Waratahs.

The dynamic flanker debuted in 1999, made his maiden Super rugby appearance in 2000 and, after missing most of 2007 with an ankle injury, will play his 100th against the Sharks.

The 28-year-old Waugh joins former captains and teammates Matt Burke and Chris Whitaker and fellow back-rower David Lyons, who brought up his century earlier this season, in reaching the 100-game milestone for the Waratahs.

Putting the team ahead of personal glory, Waugh reveals in Saturday's match program that the onus is on him and the other senior players in the side to lead the Waratahs to the title match on Saturday week against either the Crusaders or Hurricanes.

"The most important thing is for those experienced guys to play well and lead everyone else," Waugh said.

"I think it makes it a lot easier for the less experienced guys to play when the older heads are showing the way and performing themselves.

"I think it's also about having the confidence to play how we've been playing all year and take risks when they're worth taking and knowing the team is behind you."

Terrific achievement: McKenzie

Waugh said it seemed like only yesterday that he and Lyons both made their Super rugby debuts against the Stormers at the SFS eight years ago.

"So, yeah, it's certainly nice to run out in Sydney for my 100th," he said today.

Typically, though, the inspirational Waugh said Saturday night was not about celebrating his milestone but all about ensuring the Waratahs won and qualified for only their second Super final.

McKenzie labelled Waugh's rare achievement "terrific".

"It's a very difficult task to play so many games, particularly for a guy who plays the hard rugby he does on the ball," McKenzie said.

Like his no-nonsense skipper, though, the pragmatic coach said the Waratahs wouldn't be getting bogged down in Waugh's milestone.

The Waratahs' 2008 mantra has always been "all for one and one for all".

"I'm not going to walk in there and say 'let's do it for Phil'," said McKenzie, who may well be presiding over his last game in charge of the Tahs in Saturday's sudden-death encounter.

"We're not that sort of team. We don't do it for anyone. We just do it for the group.

"I've never asked the team to play for any individuals. People understand what he's given to the team. It's unsaid.

"I think we even saw it last year when he didn't play. We missed him. So everyone understands the contribution he makes.

"He wouldn't want it that way. We won't do it. We'll be doing it for the team and we'll be doing it for our fans.

"Our focus is on the method of winning, what's going to work on the day, and we're not going to get involved in any sort of emotional discussions.

"Our motivation will be about getting the technical part of the game right, managing the psychology of the game and hopefully rewarding our fans."

NSW Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman, Dean Mumm, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson. Res: Al Manning, Matt Dunning, Will Caldwell, David Lyons, Brett Sheehan, Matt Carraro, Timana Tahu.

AAP