The NSW Waratahs will be gunning for their maiden Super 14 title next Saturday after sinking the Sharks 28-13 in a one-sided semi-final at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The rampant Waratahs ran in four tries to one to set up a rematch of their 2005 final showdown with six-times champions the Crusaders.
The benchmark Crusaders earlier tonight qualified for their ninth final in 11 years with a similarly impressive 33-22 triumph over the Hurricanes in the first semi-final in Christchurch.
The Waratahs have only ever beaten the Crusaders once in New Zealand but will cross the Tasman oozing confidence after dominating the Sharks in virtually all facets.
Apart from the tryscoring flurry, the Waratahs won the battle at the breakdown, stole five lineouts from the Sharks and led by powerhouse performances from back-rowers Rocky Elsom and Phil Waugh and lock Dean Mumm, physically destroyed the South African forwards.
Just like his entire team at halftime and fulltime, Waugh received a standing ovation from the 37,378-strong crowd when replaced in the 62nd minute of his 100th match for the Waratahs.
The Waratahs' only concern was another poor display of goalkicking from five-eighth Kurtley Beale.
After landing just three from seven attempts against Queensland last week, the youngster could only manage two from seven this evening.
Beale's inaccuracy was the only thing which kept the Sharks in the match until midway through the second half and another off night next week could prove very costly for the Waratahs.
The Waratahs haven't beaten the Crusaders since 2004 and will need everything to go their way to score a rare win in New Zealand's second-largest city.
In addition to losing their last five encounters with the Crusaders, the Waratahs have won just once in eight attempts in Christchurch since the tournament's inception in 1996.
Among their seven defeats there was a 35-25 loss in the 2005 final and a 34-7 humbling in round six this season.
But, as evident once again tonight, the Waratahs are far more accomplished outfit two months on from their last-up capitulation to the Crusaders.
After falling behind to an early drop goal to Sharks flyhalf Ruan Pienaar, the Tahs' utterly outplayed last year's losing finalists.
