Waratahs 19 - 12 Brumbies: Waratahs deal big blow to Brumbies in chase for Super 14 play-off places

THE New South Wales Waratahs dealt a serious blow to fellow Aussies the ACT Brumbies' finals hopes after a gritty Super 14 victory yesterday.

In a dour struggle, the Waratahs scored the lone try through winger Justin Turner to secure the vital four competition points in front of 40,271 supporters.

With three rounds remaining, the Brumbies are now struggling back in equal-sixth place on 27 points.

The win has kept the Waratahs' own finals hopes alive, moving them up to 33 points, just a point behind South Africa's Vodacom Bulls. But the pressure is right back on the Brumbies with upcoming games against the Queensland Reds and New Zealand's Highlanders in Canberra, before a final-round clash against the Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch, all looming as must-win matches. "It was do or die before tonight, we just can't lose another game," Brumbies skipper Stephen Hoiles said at full-time.

"It was a grind, but a really disappointing result for us. It was a typical boring interstate game. We just couldn't get over the line."

Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh said the next three rounds are equally important for his team.

NSW will be based in New Zealand for the next fortnight, against the Highlanders in Invercargill on Friday night, before shifting to Hamilton to take on the Chiefs on 8 May.