The NSW Waratahs overcame more injury concerns to power into the Super Rugby finals with a record 41-7 victory over the Brumbies in Saturday night's derby at ANZ Stadium.

The Waratahs had to do without five-eighth Daniel Halangahu, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and prop Al Baxter for most of the second half, but still proved much too classy for the Brumbies.

The five-try rout equalled NSW's biggest Super Rugby win over the Brumbies and guaranteed the Waratahs at least a sixth-place finish and - barring unlikely results in South Africa in the last two games of the final round - a probable sudden-death semi-final against the Crusaders next weekend in Nelson.

Only a surprise win for the Cheetahs over the Stormers in Bloemfontein or a draw between the Bulls and Sharks in Pretoria could prevent a Waratahs showdown with the Crusaders, who beat NSW in the title match in both 2005 and 2008.

NSW skipper Phil Waugh said the Waratahs would head into the finals brimming with confidence, after posting back-to-back bonus-point wins in their must-win last two matches.

"I think we can beat anyone we play next. It's just a matter of watching the results unfold," he said.

"To be under the pressure that we've been under the last two weeks, coming back from Africa and having two big wins like that says a lot for the character of the guys going into next week.

"It's important to take momentum into the finals."

In addition to being bent on sending a host of stars including the retiring Baxter, Melbourne-bound fullback Kurtley Beale and France-bound halfback Luke Burgess out as winners in their final home games, the Waratahs wore black armbands to mark the passing on Friday of NSW and Wallabies legend John Brockhoff.

"There was obviously a lot of emotion involved in the game. Obviously guys finishing up, the passing of Brock," Waugh said, fighting back tears.

The Waratahs will be sweating on the fitness and availability of Halangahu (leg), Polota-Nau (knee) and Baxter (concussion) for next week's do-or-die encounter.

Baxter, a 69-Test veteran, received a standing ovation when he trudged off after being knocked out cold in the 58th minute.

He clashed heads with teammate and man-of-the-match Sitaleki Timani, the second-row wrecking machine, who also took out the Brumbies' Wallaby prop Ben Alexander in the same manner in the eighth minute.

In one positive for the Waratahs - and also Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who was in the Olympic Park stands on Saturday night - former Test lock Dan Vickerman made a successful return for NSW after three years' studying at Cambridge University.

Vickerman came on for the final 21 minutes.

He is certain to come into World Cup consideration, especially now that he could have up to three more games to impress Deans.

The Waratahs entered the game needing to win to confirm their finals participation and came out firing from the opening whistle.

Throwing the ball around and using the full width of the field to probe the Brumbies' defence, the Waratahs were rewarded for their attacking intent with a long-range try to winger Lachie Turner in the third minute.

Sixty-five minutes later and it was 41-0 after further converted tries to Timani, replacement flanker Chris Alock, reserve winger Sosene Anesi and back-rower Dave Dennis.

The Brumbies denied their arch-rivals a whitewash when skipper Matt Giteau - who also would have impressed Deans in a well-beaten team - put Francis Fainifo over after the bell.

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