Matthew Burke had a mixed night in his first hit-out at five-eighth but the NSW backs were in dazzling form as the Waratahs crushed New Zealand's Chiefs 85-19 in a pre-season rugby trial at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The Waratahs scored 13 tries to three, but much of the interest centred on how Burke performed in his first game as a five-eighth.

Australia's most capped fullback Burke, who has played his last two years of representative rugby at outside centre, played the first 35 minutes of the game and came back for the last six after hurting his right shoulder.

He set up one try for the Waratahs and inadvertently created another for the Chiefs after his pass was intercepted, but mixed his game up nicely with some nice offloads.

Several of the Waratahs' younger backs shone with winger Milton Thaiday scoring three first half tries and young outside centres Cameron Shepherd and Ben Jacobs both excelling, as did Wallaby utility back Mat Rogers.

Shepherd, inside back Shaun Berne and Wallaby winger Scott Staniforth all bagged a brace of tries with the backs scoring all of the Waratahs' five-pointers, apart from one penalty try.

The Chiefs briefly lead 7-5 early but the Waratahs held a 12-7 lead at the end of the first of the 25 minute quarters.

With the NSW forwards supplying a constant stream of quality possession, the Waratahs ran the Chiefs ragged in the remaining three quarters.

Three converted tries in five minutes after Burke left the field and was replaced by Tim Donnelly swelled the Waratahs' lead to 33-7 as they outscored the visitors 21-0 in the second quarter.

The rout continued in the second half with the Waratahs piling up 26 points to nil in the third quarter and 26-12 in the final turn.

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