Often derided, occasionally brilliant but ultimately trophy-less, the Waratahs now believe they have the "hard edge" to take them through to a maiden Super 12 final against the Crusaders.

The Waratahs tackle the Bulls in the semi-final at Aussie Stadium on Saturday with the winner to meet the Crusaders who thrashed the Hurricanes 47-7 in Christchurch.

Rogers, one of five survivors from the starting Waratahs team that lost their only other Super 12 final against the Brumbies 51-10 in 2002, said there was a general feeling this year's model was a far superior product to that of years gone by.

"I think the side itself has developed a harder edge over the year - and a few of the older guys have mentioned it," Rogers said.

"We've won tough games towards the back end of the season which we didn't do in 2002.

"We won our first five or six (in 2002) and then coasted along which didn't help us when we got to the business end of the season.

"I think that's very different this year."

Ideally the Waratahs would like to play a game against the Bulls similar to what unfolded against the Highlanders in round 10.

Against a side with a powerhouse tight five, NSW instead attacked on the fringes and then quickly spun the ball out wide.

In their most complete performance of the year, NSW won the match 41-20.

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