NSW plummeted to their worst losing streak in Super Rugby on Saturday night when they crumbled 33-12 to the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium.
On a wet night in Sydney, the Waratahs’ horror season went from bad to worse, as they continually turned over possession in try-scoring positions to suffer their sixth-straight defeat.
With four wins and 10 losses so far this year, it’s their most dismal Super performance since 2007 when they managed just three victories.
However, after the Test break, the Waratahs face finals hopefuls the Brumbies and Queensland and, percentage-wise, they’re staring down the barrel of their worst season.
Coach Michael Foley is already under pressure to hold his job, and the four tries to nothing capitulation will only add to speculation that changes could be imminent at Moore Park.
NSW dominated field position for three-quarters of the match but, every time they had a look in the Hurricanes’ 22, they dropped the ball.
The Wellington-based side, who remain in contention for a finals berth, kept patient and scored two second-half tries to seal the result.
A simple error from Sitaleki Timani opened the way for the Hurricanes to score the first try of the match through winger Julian Savea eight minutes before halftime.
The visitors were clinging to a 13-12 lead but, after Waratahs’ prop Sekope Kepu bombed the best chance of the match – when he dropped the ball cold 22 metres out with Sarel Pretorius unmarked on his inside – the Hurricanes finished the job.
Devastating reserve hooker Motu Matu’u benefited from some sharp passing to score in the 63rd minute, before skipper Conrad Smith crossed six minutes later when Berrick Barnes rushed out of the line for an intercept.
The Hurricanes claimed their crucial bonus point when Chris Eaton crossed as the fulltime siren sounded for their first win over the Waratahs since 2006.
Barnes booted three goals to bring up 250 points in Super Rugby, and the Waratahs’ players involved in the Wallabies train-on squad appeared to pull up without injury – although Timani was replaced and had ice on a shoulder.
