The NSW Waratahs will be gunning for their maiden Super 14 title next Saturday after sinking the Sharks 28-13 in a one-sided semi-final at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The rampant Waratahs ran in four tries to one to set up a rematch of their 2005 final showdown with six-times champions the Crusaders.

The benchmark Crusaders earlier qualified for their ninth final in 11 years with a similarly impressive 33-22 triumph over the Hurricanes in the first semi-final in Christchurch.

The Waratahs have only ever beaten the Crusaders once in New Zealand but will cross the Tasman oozing confidence after dominating the Sharks in virtually all facets.

Apart from the tryscoring flurry, the Waratahs won the battle at the breakdown, stole five lineouts from the Sharks and led by powerhouse performances from back-rowers Rocky Elsom and Phil Waugh and lock Dean Mumm, physically destroyed the South African forwards.

Just like his entire team at halftime and fulltime, Waugh received a standing ovation from the 37,378-strong crowd when replaced in the 62nd minute of his 100th match for the Waratahs.

The Waratahs' only concern was another poor display of goalkicking from five-eighth Kurtley Beale.

After landing just three from seven attempts against Queensland last week, the youngster could only manage two from seven this evening.

Beale's inaccuracy was the only thing which kept the Sharks in the match until midway through the second half and another off night next week could prove very costly for the Waratahs.

The Waratahs haven't beaten the Crusaders since 2004 and will need everything to go their way to score a rare win in New Zealand's second-largest city.

In addition to losing their last five encounters with the Crusaders, the Waratahs have won just once in eight attempts in Christchurch since the tournament's inception in 1996.

Among their seven defeats there was a 35-25 loss in the 2005 final and a 34-7 humbling in round six this season.

But, as evident once again, the Waratahs are far more accomplished outfit two months on from their last-up capitulation to the Crusaders.

After falling behind to an early drop goal to Sharks flyhalf Ruan Pienaar, the Tahs' utterly outplayed last year's losing finalists.

Tries to superstar winger Lote Tuqiri in the 26th minute and teenage centre Rob Horne on the half hour, plus a conversion and penalty goal to Beale, gave NSW a 15-6 halftime lead.

The Waratahs skipped further ahead a minute after the break when Beale crossed, with Elsom throwing the final pass just as he had for Horne's five-pointer.

The match was as good as over when halfback Luke Burgess intercepted a pass from the base of the Sharks scrum to run in NSW's fourth try in the 45th minute and stretch the home side's lead to 25-6.

The Sharks added a consolation try to replacement hooker Craig Burden nine minutes from time before Beale had the final say, nailing a drop goal in the dying stages to give him a full set of try, conversion and penalty goal.

The comprehensive victory completed an unbeaten home campaign for the Waratahs, leaving Waugh delighted.

"Defence has been a big part of our game this year and we stood up again," Waugh said after the Tahs' seventh win from seven at the SFS in 2008.

"Off to Christchurch next week and we'll freshen up and it's obviously a big week.

"Our execution could have been a lot better, but it's obviously a very pleasing result.

"The Crusaders have been the form team all year and they deserve to have a home final.

"It's a big week (ahead of us).

"We've got a lot of inexperienced guys here and they've done really well all year, so I guess it's a matter of freshening up and making sure we get ready to play."

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