The NSW Waratahs came from behind to pile on 38 unanswered second half points to down a depleted Brumbies line-up 48-19 at Bluetongue Stadium tonight.

Down 19-10 at halftime against a Brumbies outfit with only one of its Rugby World Cup stars, the Waratahs turned the screws in the second 40 minutes, and they did it without star recruit Timana Tahu.

Tahu played the the first half for the Waratahs but wasn't given anything like the room afforded him by Queensland last week.

It was supposed to be NSW unleashing the potent attacking forces of their backline but instead five of the home side's eight five-pointers came through forwards, with Adam Freier, Wycliff Palu, Matt Dunning, Sekope Kepu and Tatafu Polota-Nau scoring tries, along with backs Tom Carter, who got two, and Robert Horne.

Kurtley Beale and Brett Sheehan each booted two conversions as Lachlan Turner had an off night and missed with his three attempts.

For the Brumbies, Pete Kimlin, Afusipa Taumoepeau and John Ulugia grabbed five-pointers while Anthony Faingaa booted two conversions.

In front of 5185 in Gosford, the four 20-minute quarters did produce plenty of ball movement and quick taps under rugby's new laws - as well as handling errors in greasy conditions.

The Canberra-based side led 19-10 at halftime after three first half tries but, following the sin-binning of Brumbies lock Dan Guiness, the Waratahs clawed it back to 19-17 when Dunning crossed in the 49th minute and Beale converted from the sideline.

NSW capitalised on the sin-binning again seven minutes later when a quick tap sent Kepu crashing over and the conversion gave the home side the lead 24-19.

From there, the inexperienced Brumbies - who played only prop Guy Shepherdson from their World Cup stars - folded and the Waratahs began to run riot with four tries in 13 minutes.