Unflappable Mark Waugh continued New South Wales' late-season charge with an unbeaten half-century to guide the Blues to a thrilling two-wicket Pura Cup victory over Western Australia.

Chasing 182 runs for victory on the final day, the younger Waugh entered with the visitors teetering at 5-72 before steering NSW to maximum points with an unbeaten 60 at the WACA Ground.

He farmed the strike from the tailenders before calmly hitting his ninth four over gully off veteran Jo Angel's bowling for the winning runs.

The victory took NSW to equal second place on the Pura Cup ladder with Victoria on 30 points, and a little closer to its first appearance in a domestic first class final in almost a decade.

The rampant Blues host leaders Queensland starting Thursday with an outright victory needed to guarantee another showing against the Bulls in the Pura Cup final starting March 14 at the Gabba.

However man-of-the-match Michael Slater said the Bulls would be keen to ensure the Blues don't make the Brisbane final.

"I don't think they (Queensland) will want to play us in the final," said Slater who scored 204 and 36.

"They will be looking to play their best given it is the last match before the final."

Slater's comments make plenty of sense after the Bushrangers, who host WA this week, were dealt a crushing nine-wicket defeat by the Bulls in the Sunshine State this weekend.

Victoria, which is Queensland's only other possible final opponent, hasn't won at the Gabba since December 1983.

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