The Waratahs produced a slick first-half attacking display to thrash Fiji 41-13 in a Super Rugby trial match at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night.

NSW fullback Kurtley Beale continued his outstanding play from the end of last season, combining fluently with fly half Berrick Barnes.

Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner (two tries) also ran freely against the Fijians, while rookie winger Afa Pakalani put a strong case forward for Super Rugby selection with a double.

In the forwards, Wycliff Palu made a steady return from injury and looked sure on his feet coming back from the knee surgery which kept him out for nearly all of last year.

Mitchell got the 'Tahs off to a flying start with a big kick return, before Beale scored in the opposite left-hand corner a couple of rucks later.

Beale then threw the last pass for Pakalani's brace before putting the icing on the best try of the night in the 19th minute.

On the back foot after a rare attacking raid by the Fijians, No.8 Palu threw a clever dummy to break through before finding Turner, who played outside centre, in support.

The ball went through Barnes before Beale executed a brilliant kick in-field for Mitchell to come through and touch down for a 20-0 lead.

Former Sydney Roosters and Western Force centre Ryan Cross was one of many changes for NSW in the second half and had a sorry night with his hands despite scoring the Tahs' only try of the final forty minutes.

One area of concern for NSW coach Chris Hickey is goal-kicking, with Barnes missing with his first four attempts of the night.

When Barnes finally put one through the posts, he raised his hand in relief to the cheers of the 7568-strong crowd.

Fiji booted two penalty goals and scored a consolation try through Navitalai Bolatagici in the 76th minute to get themselves on the scoreboard.

Hickey said he was pleased with his team's execution in attack in the opening period.

"There was a lot of talent out there in that first quarter and they were very accurate in their execution of what we were saying so that was good, but there's plenty of things we still need to work on," he said.

"I think (combinations) worked reasonably well for us and obviously we'll sit down and have a look at the tape and get a bit more of an idea about that but in these games it's about trying things.

"You're never going to be perfect in your first trial match, you understand that going in."

NSW skipper Phil Waugh said he'll be better for the hit-out after making his return from a knee injury suffered in club rugby last year.

Waugh said the Waratahs' mistake-ridden second half was a result of fatigue and humidity.

"I think probably the first 20 minutes was pretty good, after that it was pretty sloppy and a little bit disappointing," he said.

"But the main thing was match fitness ... and have most guys got 60 minutes which is important leading into the Force trial (next week) and then the first match against Melbourne."

The Waratahs got through the match relatively unscathed.

Reserve five-eighth Ben Seymour is the only worry with a slight ankle sprain.

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