Waratahs coach Michael Cheika bemoaned his team's lack of desire, following their humiliating loss to the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.

The Brumbies extended their lead at the top of the Super Rugby and Australian Conference standings with the 35-6 (four tries to nil) bonus-point victory.

Twenty-one first half points, including 16 from Brumbies centre Christian Lealiifano, set the home side up for a third consecutive victory, with two late second half tries sending them in for a comfortable 35-6 bonus-point win.

Cheika showed his disappointment after the game.

"We didn't work hard enough off the ball and our hunger had to be more consistent over 80 minutes to stay in the contest," the Waratahs mentor said.

"If we don't do that, we're not going to be in there.

"They took their chances at the ruck and they stopped any flow we had.

"We got better in the second half again but we didn't play until the end and we gave away an easy bonus point try.  

"A few things went against us at times and we didn't have it in us to get back into the game.

"We tried but we couldn't get the pace of the game up enough to be successful."

The Waratahs must now overcome their disappointment before facing a buoyant Cheetahs side in Sydney in just six days time.