Mat Rogers scored two tries and kicked eight goals as New South Wales secured their third consecutive bonus-point win in a 46-10 demolition on Friday over the Cats in the rugby union Super 12 competition.
The Waratahs lead the standings with a maximum 15 points from three rounds.
The hosts scored a point-a-minute to lead 24-0 and skipper Chris Whitacker secured the bonus point when he crossed for the fourth try and a 34-3 halftime lead, with Andre Pretorius landing a penalty for the Cats’ only points.
The New South Wales pack dominated from the start, stealing four lineout throws from the Cats in the first half, starting at the initial set piece that led directly to Nathan Grey’s try in the second minute.
Grey gave the last pass for Rogers to scoot across 10 minutes later, Phil Waugh burrowed over from a rolling maul and Whitacker stepped inside the cover defence from close range.
The Cats narrowed the gap to 34-10 when number eight Pietie Ferreira crossed out wide in the 47th minute on the end of a counter-attacking movement.
But the Waratahs struck back almost immediately when Rogers made a break and gave an inside ball to Lote Tuqiri, who beat three defenders en route to the line.
The New South Wales fullback scored his second five-pointer just before full-time, picking up a misdirected cut-out pass and stepping through three defenders in a 15m run for the line.
Rogers was again accurate with the boot, kicking five conversions and two penalties to go with his tries for a haul of 26 points.
The Waratahs, who beat the Crusaders in the first round and the Sharks at home in the second, leave on Saturday for South Africa and a four-match road trip. — Sapa-AP