The Waratahs scored 38 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the ACT Brumbies 48-19 in a Super 14 trial at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford.

The Waratahs scored eight tries to three, including five in the last 25 minutes of the match to notch their second victory from as many trials in front of a crowd of 5185.

Almost 24 hours of rain forced the two curtain raisers to be cancelled, and both sides struggled to hold onto the greasy ball in the opening exchanges.

With neither side able to take command of the game, it was the Waratahs who maintained possession long enough to draw first blood with a try to Adam Freier in the 13th minute.

However the hard-fought lead was lost just three minutes later when Peter Kimlin scored adjacent to the posts and the Brumbies hit the front 7-5.

Wycliff Palu regained the lead for the Waratahs on the stroke of quarter time with a dash to the corner, however tries to Afusipa Taumoepeau and John Ulugia saw the Brumbies go into half-time with a 19-10 lead.

Head Coach Ewen McKenzie made a number of changes at half time, and a renewed focus in defence bore results in attack.

Referee Matt Goddard showed Brumbies replacement Dan Guinness the yellow card for repeated infringements in the 46th minute, and it was from there the Waratahs got back on track.

Two minutes later Matt Dunning crossed out wide before Kurtley Beale spectacularly converted to close the gap to two.

Then, with Guinness still off the paddock, Sekope Kepu scored next to the posts and the Waratahs took the lead 24-19.

From there it was all one-way traffic with HSBC Junior Waratah Robert Horne touching down in the 69th minute, before Tom Carter crossed seven minutes later.

Then after the final siren had sounded, Sam Harris put Carter through another gap for his second try and a final scoreline of 48-19.

The Waratahs now play the Crusaders on Thursday 6 February in the Rotomahana Challenge at the Sydney Football Stadium in their final trial before the 2008 Super 14 commences.

Waratahs 48
Tries: Tom Carter 2, Adam Freier, Wycliff Palu, Matt Dunning, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Robert Horne
Cons: Kurtley Beale 2 from 2, Brett Sheehan 2 from 3, Lachie Turner 0 from 3

ACT Brumbies 19
Tries: Peter Kimlin, Afusipa Taumoepeau, John Ulugia
Cons: Anthony Faingaa 2 from 3