Skipper Stephen Moore has challenged the Brumbies to wipe the slate clean and prove themselves genuine Super Rugby title contenders against the NSW Waratahs on Sunday.

Despite being just a three-hour drive from Canberra, the Brumbies have won only two of 14 meetings with the Waratahs in Sydney.

But Moore says the competition leaders have removed their woeful history against the Tahs in Sydney from their minds ahead as they strive to extend their big lead atop the Australian conference ladder.

“It’s just up the road and it shouldn’t affect our preparation,” Moore said on Saturday.

“There’s no point going up there if you don’t think you can win.”

With four wins from five starts this campaign, the Brumbies are sitting pretty.

Moore, though, acknowledged the reigning champions as a step up in class and was eager to see how the Brumbies responded in a bumper derby at Allianz Stadium.

“This is our biggest test to date,” Moore said.

“To go up to a place where we haven’t historically done really well, it’s a step up from where we’ve been in the last couple of weeks and this will give us a good indication of where we’re at.”

Despite their 10-point buffer over the Waratahs, Moore knows the gap can quickly close, especially with the Brumbies having a bye next round.

“We’re certainly happy with where we are at the moment, but that can change very quickly,” he said.

“A result will give us a real boost going into a week off and you never like going into a bye after a loss.

“It’s an important game in the context of our season. You certainly look at the table, no doubt.”

Moore won’t get the chance to lock horns with his long-time Test hooker rival Tatafu Polota-Nau after the Waratahs rake knocked himself out at training this week.

But there’ll certainly be plenty of other intriguing match-ups for NSW’s Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to keep an eye on.

“You’re probably lying if you’re not thinking about that a little bit,” Moore said.

“Everyone wants to play well in these games. The ultimate for every player in Australia is to play for their country.

“So these are the games you look at – the Australian derbies – and particularly the Waratahs games for us because they are the best-performing Australian team.

“That’s who we want to measure ourselves against and it certainly doesn’t hurt if you have a good game in these games.”