NSW captain Phil Waugh is hoping his side's last-gasp Super Rugby victory over the Brumbies has appeased disgruntled Waratahs fans.

Waugh conceded the Waratahs were hurting after being booed and jeered following their "out of character" round-five home loss to the Cheetahs.

But the veteran skipper - who made a successful comeback from a biceps injury on Saturday night - believed the Waratahs showed their true colours in a heart-stopping 29-22 triumph over the Brumbies in Canberra.

Now he's urged the Waratahs faithful to forgive and forget and return to the Sydney Football Stadium to back the Tahs against the Chiefs on Friday night.

"Last week was very disappointing," he said. "It obviously has been a tough week.

"The Brumbies had their backs to the wall, we certainly had ours to the wall ... the most important thing is to show the fans how spirited the group is.

"Hopefully that spirit is felt by the supporters and on Friday that the supporters get behind us.

"Certainly we take a lot of responsibility in the way we play to please and entertain the supporters and hopefully we get that back in Sydney next week."

Despite contributing 19 points from seven goals from eight attempts and creating a vital second-half try for Ryan Cross, fullback Kurtley Beale appeared to have handed the Brumbies a share of the spoils when he had a kick charged down with four minutes remaining that led to the home team locking the game up at 22-all.

But with the desperately tight derby seemingly headed for a draw, the Waratahs pack regained possession before Brumbies discard Sitaleki Timani reached over to notch the winning try with just nine seconds left on the clock.

"The big scrum on their line and then to get the try at the end was a big effort and shows the character of the guys," Waugh said.

"One week is not a season and it is about backing up against the Chiefs."

Pleasingly for the Waratahs, Waugh made a successful comeback from a biceps strain while hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee) is hopeful of returning for the Chiefs clash.

But five-eighth Berrick Barnes is in some doubt after suffering another head knock and being replaced with 17 minutes left to play.

Barnes missed NSW's round-three loss to the Crusaders in Nelson after being concussed the previous week against Queensland.

With his side still trailing Australian conference leaders Queensland, NSW coach Chris Hickey said it was imperative that the Waratahs maintain the intensity displayed in the national capital.

"It is another big challenge," Hickey said.

"We have a six-day turnaround (but) we are going back to our home ground at the Sydney Football Stadium and out of these sort of games you take some confidence.

"Hopefully we take that through the week and then put another good performance against the Chiefs."

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