The laughter rang out across Queensland and New Zealand at the weekend as the Reds extended their seemingly eternal Super 12 rugby stranglehold over old foe NSW at Aussie Stadium.

The Waratahs' ritual humiliation at the hands of their arch rivals continued as the Reds came from behind to triumph 35-23.

The outcome, combined with other results, including the Brumbies' 41-15 belting by the Blues in Auckland on Friday, also delivered joy to rugby followers across the ditch.

The Waratahs dropped two places to fifth, behind four Kiwi teams, led by the unbeaten Blues.

It was probably the first time since 1998, when all three local teams missed out on the semi-finals, that Australia was without a top four team at the halfway stage of the season.

The second half of the draw offers little encouragement for the Aussie sides, all of whom have a hard run home.

NSW and ACT must play three of the current top four teams in addition to each other.

For the Waratahs, who have the worst defensive record in the tournament, conceding 193 points from six games, their next challenge is to host 2002 champions the Crusaders on Saturday.

In some much-needed good news, skipper Matt Burke (knee) and fullback Mat Rogers (foot) are expected to play, while lock Jono West was cleared by the SANZAR judicial committee of a charge of stomping Reds five-eighth Elton Flatley.

The welcome mat has been thrown out to visiting sides at "Our House", which NSW dubbed Aussie Stadium, with the home side losing three of their four matches there this year.

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