Karmichael Hunt, or at the very least his lawyers, will make the short trip down the Pacific Highway on Thursday to face in the Southport Magistrates Court four counts of supplying cocaine.

While the Waratahs sweat on the fitness of Adam Ashley-Cooper, who sat out training on Tuesday with a heavily iced right knee, the Reds will try to steer their season clear of turmoil in the face of another major distraction.

But with a show of grit against the Force, in cyclonic conditions just two days after news broke of the drugs scandal, Richard Graham's team proved they can circle the wagons like few in the business. NSW defence coach Nathan Grey said nothing about that tough performance surprised him.

"Knowing Queensland and knowing Queenslanders for a number of years, I wasn't surprised at all," Grey said.

"They thrive under those circumstances and I wasn't surprised at all to see them come out and play a consistent style of footy that they were confident would get the result.

"I know how tough they are and they're well coached and they have some very proud history in the club and I know for a fact that they'll be really keen for Saturday."

The Reds' 18-6 round two win against the odds has been the only quantifiable bright spot in their season to date, sandwiched as it was by a humiliating opening round loss to the Brumbies and a tough night against the Highlanders in Dunedin last week.

But James O'Connor's first appearance of the season, glimpses of the old Will Genia magic and the arrival of former All Black Adam Thompson are also providing fans with some hope that the 2011 champions are turning a very long corner.

Grey said he believed the early season challenges showed the Reds had tenacity and flexibility on their side.

"They've mixed up the way they've played in the first couple of games, one due to conditions and also to personnel," he said.

"That's the sign of a smart side that can change and adapt. That's a good sign for them moving forward, they're a new group of players who haven't been together for that long. That's something that can be both a positive and a negative, in that they're setting new boundaries in how they play and their understanding of one another.

"Those combinations take a while to come together, you saw last week with Will and James [at No.9 and No.10], they've played a little bit together in the Australian colours and that connection started to click a little bit there. They'll be better for that run as a unit, being together. The consistency of their performances is going to grow throughout the season and we need to make sure we're on our game."

O'Connor's playmaking effort last Friday – his first Super Rugby appearance since 2013 – drew positive reviews with the exception of a poor tactical kicking performance, to which O'Connor himself confessed. The Waratahs expect that element of his game to be tidied up in time for their clash at Suncorp Stadium, but are also wary that a player of his calibre can be expected to improve fast in every element of his game.

"He's handy [at No.10]," Grey said.

"He's got a good skill set, he can take the line on, if you knock off he'll capitalise, and he's got a good pass that he can create things with for the guys on the outside and you saw that in a few glimpses last week."

Peter Betham ran on the wing for the Waratahs on Tuesday, while Ashley-Cooper nursed his knee on the sideline. Michael Cheika is likely to adopt a conservative approach if there is any question over the utility's fitness, as they did with Wycliff Palu in round two. Betham has not started a Super Rugby game since injuring his ankle against the Stormers last April. Palu is expected to start at No.8 this weekend after training this week.