The NSW Waratahs will meet the Crusaders in the Super 12 decider next Saturday after scoring a draining 23-13 win over the Bulls in their semi-final at Aussie Stadium on Saturday night.

It wasn't always pretty, but the two-tries-to-one victory was enough to propel the Waratahs into their first grand final in 10 years of the competition.

Superb performances by robust NSW No.8 David Lyons and busy winger Lote Tuqiri punctuated a sturdy performance by the home side.

But the Crusaders - who thrashed the Hurricanes 47-7 in the other semi-final on Friday night - won't exactly be shaking in their boots after a competent but hardly devastating performance.

The Crusaders will host the grand final in Christchurch after finishing the regular season first.

A 10-minute period before and after the halftime proved the difference for the Waratahs.

NSW scored their two tries in that time with Japan-bound centre Nathan Grey, playing his last game for the Waratahs in Sydney, a critical factor in both.

His steal from a ruck after speedy Bulls winger Bryan Habana had almost scored in the 34th minute put NSW back on the attack and eventually led to a try by centre partner Morgan Turinui.

With the Bulls ahead 13-9, Turinui hoisted a towering midfield kick and then scooped up the ball to score after the two Botha's - Etienne and Bakkies - allowed the ball to bounce between them.

Peter Hewat's conversion gave NSW a 16-13 lead at halftime.

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