The NSW Waratahs have defeated the Melbourne Rebels 47-5 in both side's final hitout ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season. After a scrappy opening two quarters, the Waratahs gained ascendency after the half time break and scored 42 unanswered points. The Waratahs dominated possession and territory in the opening quarter but handling errors and lineout inaccuracy cost the home side. Bernard Foley looked to have put Israel Folau away for his first try of the year with a long looping pass in the 10th minute, but that was ruled to be slightly forward. Minutes later, Foley put Jed Holloway through a tight gap and while Holloway was able to link with Tom Robertson, once again the Waratahs were unable to finish. The Rebels started the second quarter the better of the two sides and opened the scoring five minutes into the second stanza from a driving maul from close range. The Waratahs hit back and took the lead when Michael Hooper took an intercept off a Rebels lineout and ran