NSW finally put some wind into their Super Rugby finals ambitions, but their 30-21 win over Melbourne on Saturday night was marred by injury and suspension worries.

The Waratahs got off to an explosive start when Bernard Foley scored after just 26 seconds, but the dynamic fullback was unable to return in the second half after injuring his shoulder in a tackle gone wrong.

Centre Rob Horne is also likely to be scrutinised by the judiciary after being yellow-carded in the 57th minute for a dangerous tackle on Rebels fullback Kurtley Beale.

The Rebels have a serious injury concern of their own, with Wallabies star James O’Connor forced off in the 54th minute with what appeared to be a rib injury after copping accidental knees from Berrick Barnes.

After scoring at nearly a point a minute to lead 13-0 early, the Waratahs were again guilty of concentration lapses which might have hurt them against stronger opposition

But they were never seriously challenged despite two late Rebels tries to Tim Davidson and Lachlan Mitchell cutting the final margin to nine points.

NSW’s opening 20 minutes was perhaps the sharpest they’ve looked all season, and while a bonus point went begging, coach Michael Foley will be satisfied they’ve finally recorded back-to-back victories and have a solid base on which to build their finals push.

The Rebels are now winless in four matches against NSW and remain anchored to the bottom of the Australian Conference.

In the 22nd minute, Rebels hooker Ged Robinson crashed over from a well-executed rolling maul to record the first-ever try for a Melbourne player against NSW and bring the visitors back into the match at 13-7.

Halfback Brendan McKibbin added a penalty to take the score at halftime to 16-7.

Shortly after the resumption, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau showed brilliant skill to throw short on a line-out and then take the return pass from Wycliff Palu to extend the Waratahs’ lead to 23-7.

In a chaotic period midway through the second half, McKibbin and O’Connor went down hurt for their respective sides and Horne scored to virtually seal the game at 30-7 before being sent to the sin bin for his nasty looking tackle.

McKibbin played on and while O’Connor attempted to do the same he was soon forced off.

Foley told Fox Sports he wasn’t sure how serious his shoulder injury was.

NSW veteran Rocky Elsom didn’t get thrown into the action until the 65th minute, but didn’t appear troubled in his return from a hamstring injury.