The NSW Waratahs rounded out their Super 14 preparations with a hard-fought 15-7 win over the Brumbies in a trial match at Viking Oval in Canberra on Thursday night.

In a hotly-contested and sometimes heated hit-out played in front of almost 4,500 fans, the `Tahs overcame plenty of pressure from the home side to get a solid hitout and make it two wins from three trials heading into next weekend's opening round.

Waratahs captain Phil Waugh played down the importance of the win, but said the tough contest was the perfect preparation for next Saturday's season-opener against Queensland.

"I think everyone's just trying to get a blow out, get the air in the lungs and we're all focused on next week," Waugh said.

"I think both teams are in pretty good condition now to head into the competition."

Brumbies number eight Stephan Hoiles was also keen to play down ACT's second straight trial loss.

"The boys will be sore tomorrow but we're not going to get an easy game against the Force (in round one)," he said.

"I think that was as close to Super 14 match conditions as you're going to get."

Waugh opened the scoring, crashing over in the seventh minute after NSW's all-star forward pack forced their way over the line from the scrum.

But the Brumbies hit back only four minutes later, with winger Francis Fainifo breaking the line with a dangerous run and setting up fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Berrick Barnes, who impressed again at flyhalf, gave the visitors the lead in the 26th minute, opting to take a shot at goal when awarded a penalty 35m out, the decision earning boos from the vocal home crowd.

ACT survived a stack of late pressure from the Waratahs to head into the break trailing by just one but couldn't capitalise on several chances in the second half.

Instead it was NSW who added to the scoreboard again, with the injection of speedy winger Peter Betham proving the gamebreaker.

He made a stunning run from well inside his own half, stepping and slicing though the Brumbies defence and turning the ball inside for Josh Holmes to score.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend opted not to risk his two highest-profile signings, Wallabies duo Rocky Elsom (hamstring) and Matt Giteau (quad) due to minor problems, while NSW coach Chris Hickey also erred on the side of caution with prize recruit Drew Mitchell (hamstring).

Kurtley Beale came on in the second half for NSW after a last-minute flight to Canberra due to his assault court case being adjourned to June.

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