WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) The ACT Brumbies and New South Wales Waratahs will meet Friday in the most important match of the Super Rugby season to date, buoyed by first-round victories and determined to gain an early advantage in the Australian conference.
The Waratahs beat the Queensland Reds 30-10 in last weekend's opening round and the Brumbies dispatched last year's beaten finalists the Hurricanes 52-10 in results which suggested both teams are title contenders this season.
Friday's match at Canberra comes too early in the season to be decisive but the winner will take an early lead in a strong Australian conference.
Matches in the New Zealand conference may be as influential, including a repeat of last year's final between the Highlanders and Hurricanes who were both first round losers.
