The Waratahs' 23-20 comeback win over the Rebels and stirring victories in South Africa for the Brumbies and Queensland Reds have left all four teams within six points of the conference lead.

With a game in hand, the Waratahs are back in the box seat with the chance to go top with a home win over the Sharks next week, when the front-running Rebels have a much-needed bye to regroup after successive losses.

With the unpredictable South African conference even more congested, the prize for winning the Australian group is enticing.

The top Aussie team is almost certain to finish second overall, most likely behind the runaway Crusaders, and earn a saloon passage through to this year's final.

Gibson is well aware of the opportunity and said the trick for the hot-and-cold Waratahs was backing up big wins, like their round-six defeat of the Crusaders, and this one over the Rebels.

"That's our challenge: week to week being consistent," he said.

"We're not the only side struggling week to week. The consistency with this competition is all over the place.

"I'd hate to be doing my picks because you wouldn't know what you're picking.

"But it just shows that the competition's a different one this year. Anyone can beat anyone, and we're no different.

"And if we can get that right, then we'll be at the right end of the competition when we need to be."

Melbourne coach Dave Wessels is equally optimistic, despite the Rebels showing signs of surrendering conference honours for the second year running to the Waratahs.

The Rebels controlled proceedings at the same point last season only to fade with four-straight losses to miss the finals.

"We're just a totally different team from last year. We're a much better team," Wessels said.

He pointed out that, apart from losing winger Jack Maddocks in the second minute on Saturday night to concussion, the Rebels were without key players Dane Haylett-Petty, Gus Cottrell and Jordan Uelese in the narrow loss to the Tahs.

All four will be back for Melbourne's next game against the Hurricanes.

"We're at the end of an eight-game block now," Wessels said.

"We've had our travel to Africa and all sorts of things in between.

"We've pretty much been going 10 weeks of the season continuously and I think part of it is guys are pretty tired at the moment."

After collecting a bonus point, the Rebels (24) are still four points clear of the Waratahs (20).

The Brumbies (19) are back in the mix after their 19-17 win over the Stormers in Cape Town and the resurgent Reds (18) are also well in conference contention after they beat the Sharks 21-14 in Durban.

Australian Associated Press