The Brumbies are clinging to first place in the Australian conference, but Melbourne captain Gareth Delve says NSW are the team to beat among the local Super Rugby sides.

A stoic 36-34 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday night earned the Brumbies two bonus points to ensure they stayed head of the Waratahs, who notched their first back-to-back victory of the season against Melbourne.

The Rebels were crushed 37-6 against the Brumbies in round eight and 30-21 against NSW on Saturday night but, while he gave the ACT side due praise, Delve believes the Waratahs might have an extra gear.

It’s impossible to argue with the Brumbies’ form and commitment at the moment under new coach Jake White.

They deserved to cause the upset of the season against the Bulls after scoring five tries to two, only to be cruelly denied by the prolific boot of goalkicker Morne Steyn.

But despite the Waratahs’ patchy start to the season, Wales international Delve believes NSW have enough in reserve to lead the Australian charge to the finals.

“I think the Waratahs have probably got a bit more firepower, to be honest,” said Delve.

“They’ve still got players to come back in, so they’re a very well drilled team and they have some great players out wide too. They’ve probably got the most balanced team.

The Waratahs started like a house on fire against the Rebels and now have two consecutive to wins to build from.

But they were again guilty of concentration lapses, so it’s both with confidence and caution they’ll take on the might of the Crusaders in New Zealand next week.

The Waratahs led 30-7, but failed to follow through for a bonus point and allowed the Rebels back into the game with two late tries.

Coach Michael Foley knows if they fall to sleep against the Crusaders fresh from a 42-14 mauling of the Hurricanes they’ll be punished.

“I don’t think any team can afford to drift out … the Crusaders are a side that will punish that and that’s an exciting challenge for us to know that going into that game you’ve got to be right on your game.

“I think those things bring the best out in people.”

The Waratahs have an injury concern with fullback Bernard Foley as well as Rob Horne’s two-match suspension, but they were pleased with the return of captain Rocky Elsom from his hamstring injury.

“It was just good to have him out there,” coach Foley said.

On Friday night, Queensland battled bravely to go down 23-13 to the Stormers in Brisbane, but the task only gets tougher for the defending premiers after their casualty ward was added to.

Sam Lane (ACL knee) and Ben Tapuai (collarbone) both suffered serious injuries.

The Western Force had the bye, but were right in the thick of the action, making the decision to move on coach Richard Graham immediately.

Graham will join as Queensland coach next season, but current Reds mentor Ewen McKenzie said he wouldn’t join the Reds any earlier than announced.

“That’s a project for next season,” McKenzie said.

“That was the arrangement and that’s another campaign – it’s a different season.”

McKenzie said it would also be a good chance for Graham to “catch his breath”.

The Stormers and Bulls are locked at the top of the South African conference following their respective victories, with the Cape Town-based Stormers ahead on points differential.

The Chiefs have remained at the top of the New Zealand conference, accounting for the Sharks 18-12 in Durban, with the Highlanders keeping on their tails following a 30-27 victory over the struggling Blues.