Late in the first half of the Waratahs' 36-8 round 17 win over the Brumbies at ANZ Stadium on June 28 last year, the second rower-cum-flanker ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right ankle. He faced surgery and an abrupt end to his season.

That included Dennis missing out on the opportunity to captain the Waratahs in their first Super Rugby final win, against the Crusaders at ANZ Stadium on August 2.

Dennis, 29, held the trophy aloft before the 61,823-strong crowd with Michael Hooper, who took over the on-field captaincy, but in his suit rather than the Waratahs jersey he would have so loved to have worn.

Dennis still inspired his teammates with how well he handled his misfortune and has done so since his return from rehabilitation by leading the Super Rugby champions to winning this year's Australian conference and securing next Saturday's semi-final.

"[At the] start of the year I definitely believed we were capable of getting to this point, to play finals footy again," said Dennis.

"But to actually be at this point now and to realise it is a great opportunity over the next week or so to play finals footy … it's exciting, and exciting for my family … and people who were disappointed for me last year to miss out and sit on the sideline.

Dennis still conceded there had been times when he wondered if the chance to play in and win a Super Rugby final had passed.

"You always have that little bit of doubt; particularly when the boys went on last year and achieved what they did," he said.

"You did have that little bit of 'Oh … I might never get this chance again.'

"In saying that, I always felt that we are a club moving towards having consistent level of performance.

"I would like to think this year, obviously next year and years to come that I'm still here – and when I am not here – that we are still up at that right end of the table."

While most pundits tip this year's final to be hosted by the New Zealand conference and competition leading Hurricanes, Dennis says it is not without possibility that should the Waratahs win next Saturday, it could still be played in Sydney again.

Understandably, Dennis won't look too far ahead.

He realises to make the final the Waratahs must first win their semi-final against an opposition to be decided by this weekend's two qualifying finals.

Those knockout matches are between the Highlanders and Chiefs in Dunedin on Saturday and the Stormers and Brumbies in Cape Town on Sunday morning (NSW time).

"Most people I'd imagine are predicting that if we do get through to the final, it will be over at Wellington, but there is still that chance we may have it at home," Dennis said.

"But we can't get too far ahead of that. We talked about winning our conference and getting that home semi.

"We have got that now which is really good, so [we will] just sit back this weekend and see who we play."

Dennis also dismisses any notion that after last year's success complacency is a risk "Having that loss of only three weeks ago against the Lions …that is probably the easiest way of saying 'Boys we need to keep working hard'," he said.