NSW Waratahs thump Melbourne Rebels in Super W clash at Bathurst | Photos

The NSW Waratahs outclassed the Melbourne Rebels in all facets of their final-round BuildCorp Super W clash at Bathurst's Anne Ashwood Park on Sunday afternoon, recording a 66-12 win to cement the minor title and book hosting rights for the decider.

A four-try game from Shanice Parker and a physically dominant Waratahs' defensive line took apart a Rebels side who, with nothing to lose, threw everything at their opponents in a valiant attempt to end 2019 on a high.

"To take a game out here was a big thing we wanted to do, and engage with the local community. That's something I think we've done quite well. That side of it was great," Waratahs coach Matt Evrard said.

"The game wasn't an easy one. There were a few changes we made during the week and the ball was a bit greasy underfoot.

"We let them into the game a couple of times with our defensive errors in the first half but it's always good to have a few things to work on but we've got two weeks to look at that now."

Maya Stewart got the Waratahs on the board after just 50 seconds of play when she dived on a kick to the left corner and a bullocking carry from Panuara-born No.8 Grace Hamilton helped set up the NSW side's second try, in the seventh minute, with prop Evelyn Horomia diving over from close range to push the score to 12-nil.

Arabella McKenzie latched onto an intercept to score the Waratahs' third before Tyra Boysen-Auimatagai pegged one back for the Rebels with an intercept try of her own, in the 19^th minute.

But it wasn't a sign of things to come.

Last year's grand final hero Ash Hewson scored for NSW straight away and Parker picked up her first two to push the margin out to 40-7, and while Tangata Tupou score late in the half for the Rebels the result wasn't in doubt.

Parker picked up two more after the break and so did Melissa Fatu, who provided excellent impact from the Waratahs' bench, with three Hewson conversions blowing the scoreline out to 66-12.

"It was great to see Shanice get some confidence up out wide while Ash Hewson was as good as ever," Evrard said.

"Emily Robinson carried really well for us and set a good platform from the front. Both the local girls were excellent with Gracie Hamilton having a big game and Arabella McKenzie producing plenty of good plays out there for such a young player."

Melbourne coach Alana Thomas, a former Orange Emus and Forbes Platypi star, said she was reasonably pleased with her side's effort against the powerhouse Waratahs.

She's made no secret of the fact her franchise is looking to the future with their young squad, and despite the fact Sunday's 54-point hammering ends a winless campaign she's certain it will serve the group well come 2020.

"We came out here with nothing to lose today. The start wasn't great and that's sometimes what happens after the bye," she said.

"Getting two tries on these guys isn't an easy gig so to see them get across the line a couple of times was fantastic. You could see them get a lot of confidence out of that.

"We improved with every game but it's just unfortunate that it's a small block of games then it's done. There's a lot of work over the next 10 months that we have to do to make sure that we keep that momentum going for the next competition.

"From here we go to review, then look at bringing them together more regularly through the year so that they get that development and don't have to start from scratch skill and fitness-wise."