NSW's third win from four matches so far this campaign - and 500th in history - lifted Ewen McKenzie's men to third place on the table, while the Brumbies had only themselves to blame for failing to break into the top four.

Both NSW's second-half tries came from Brumbies errors inside their own half.

First, Lote Tuqiri put the Waratahs on level terms at 17-17 when he swooped on a loose ball coughed up by Brumbies prop Sekope Kepu and raced 40 metres to score under the posts.

Then Mumm charged down an attempted clearing kick from Brumbies flyhalf Christian Lealiifano, gathered the ball and showed the necessary toe to outpace the cover defence in a 35-metre sprint to the line.

Five-eighth Kurtley Beale's conversion put the Waratahs in front and the Brumbies never recovered in a match played in mostly driving rain and finishing under flashes of lightning.

While McKenzie was chuffed about his team's lineout dominance, which ultimately gave the Waratahs enough possession to win two games, losing coach Laurie Fisher admitted his Brumbies simply failed to adapt to the wet and wild conditions.

Fisher said the Brumbies fell on their own sword after attempting to emulate the scintillating running rugby they produced in last week's 43-11 thrashing of Queensland.

Queensland coach Phil Mooney is poised to wield the axe again, disgusted by a lack of defensive hunger from some Reds which has adversely blunted gallant Berrick Barnes' playmaking skills.

Inside centre Morgan Turinui and the Reds ineffectual back-row are walking on thin ice after Saturday night's 34-16 Super 14 loss to the free-running Stormers at Suncorp Stadium.

Mooney and backs coach Damon Emtage didn't mince words, blaming lazy defence from players around an overworked Barnes who was forced to make far more tackles, both front-on and in cover.

The coaches were full of praise for the incumbent Wallabies five-eighth's efforts and admitted the extra defensive work had affected his attacking game.

David Pocock was one of the shining lights in the Western Force's entertaining 29-24 loss to the Crusaders, scoring the first try of the game and his short career.

Playing opposite All Black skipper Richie McCaw, Pocock's influence in contact and on the floor was immense, earning man-of-the-match honours in a high quality spectacle.

Mitchell said while Giteau's imminent two year deal was a huge boost, he also tipped Pocock for a big future with higher honours.

"He is a phenomenal athlete, and he is just so focused. He is understanding the scenarios that he's in, and he learns very quickly and adapts very quickly," Mitchell said.

"He is built for that position. You know before a game that it is one position where you are going to get a massive hammering.

"I think he has got an international rugby future, but he has also got a lot of competition too.

"They are really lucky in Australia that we have got three quality open sides ... they are blessed in the country, and it is just how the Wallaby selectors create the best mix."

AAP