The ACT Brumbies positioned themselves as Australia's best Super 12 rugby semi-final hope and effectively ended the NSW Waratahs' season with a crushing 41-15 win at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.

The Brumbies pushed NSW back to sixth and leapt into fourth spot midway through round nine as they ran in five tries to two to continue the Waratahs' misery in Canberra, where they have never won a Super 12 match.

The win brought back painful memories for the Waratahs of last year's semi-final humiliation, won 51-10 by ACT.

Brumbies coach David Nucifora rated his side's performance as one of the best of the season.

"To score 41 points against a side like the Waratahs is an outstanding effort. On top of that, the biggest plus was the improvement in our defence," Nucifora said.

"Defensively it was certainly our best performance."

Missing injured key players halfback Chris Whitaker and fullback Mat Rogers, NSW couldn't match the class and skill of the Brumbies' backline.

The Wallaby-stacked ACT pack also overpowered the Waratahs, laying the platform for the backs to run riot.

Unable to collect any points next week with the bye, the Waratahs, who couldn't even crack a bonus point, have only a slim mathematical chance and must rely on a host of other results falling their way to make the semis.

ACT still faces a tough run home, taking on the three sides in the top five, but is hitting form at the right end of the season.

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