Super Rugby: Loss threatens Tahs’ finals hopes

The Waratahs’ finals prospects have suffered a crushing blow, with a 28-17 home loss to the Hurricanes.

Israel Folau of the Waratahs pushes through the Hurricanes defence to score.

Coach Daryl Gibson admits it will be “hugely difficult” for the NSW Waratahs to finish on top of the Australian conference and gain automatic entry to the Super Rugby playoffs after their 28-17 loss to the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday night.

It will come down to the last round of the regular season next weekend to determine whether the Waratahs or the Brumbies finish on top of the conference.

The Waratahs and the Brumbies are equal on 39 points, but the Brumbies remain on top of the conference because they have won one more game than NSW.

The Brumbies are in a more favourable position as they host the lowly Western Force in Canberra on Saturday night, while the Waratahs travel to Eden Park to play the Blues on Friday night.

The Blues thrashed the Brumbies 40-15 in Auckland on Friday night and have won 13 of their last 15 home games against Australian teams.

“Obviously, we have a more difficult task,” Gibson said. “You saw how well the Blues played against the Brumbies (in Auckland last Friday night). To go to Eden Park and firstly win and get a bonus is a hugely difficult task.

“With all respect to the Force they are going through some teething issues so the Brumbies have probably got the easier of the fixtures.”

It was a disappointing farewell for veteran Waratahs Dave Dennis (Exeter), Kurtley Beale (Wasps) and Benn Robinson (retired) in front of their home fans.

And it ended a dismal weekend for Australian teams against New Zealand opposition, conceding over 200 points in four losses.

The Waratahs led 17-11 early in the second half, but the Hurricanes then scored 17 unanswered points to secure the win.

“At times we built pressure well and then we left the Hurricanes off the hook with some mistakes,” Gibson said. “That was pretty costly.

“It was also moments in the game that we lost. We had a series of scrums on the Canes’ five-metre line and coming away with no points was pretty crucial and then the last 10 minutes of the game where we were desperately chasing the bonus point.

“We had three or four lineouts in reasonable position and again could not convert any pressure.”

The Hurricanes, who have secured a place in the playoffs, led 11-10 at halftime after both teams scored a try apiece in the first 40 minutes.

Hurricanes five-eighth Beauden Barrett opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the eighth minute after Waratahs No 8 Wycliff Palu was penalised for a high tackle.

Barrett edged the Hurricanes further ahead with a penalty goal in the 13th minute after fullback Andrew Kellaway was caught off-side.

Barrett also scored the first try in 17th minute after he regathered a chip kick by winger Cory Jane.

Powerful winger Taqele Naiyaravoro got the Waratahs on the scoreboard with a try in the 26th minute, crashing over from short range.

The Waratahs got within one point of the Hurricanes when five-eighth Bernard Foley kicked a penalty goal after the halftime after Hurricanes inside centre Willis Halaholo was sin-binned for a high tackle on the NSW playmaker.

Israel Folau got the Waratahs in front for the first time, 17-11, when he scored shortly after the resumption of play after making a break in the midfield.

But the Hurricanes regained the lead, 18-17, when Jane scored five minutes later.

Barrett nudged the Hurricanes ahead 21-17 with a penalty goal in the 56th minute after Naiyaravoro went off his feet at a ruck.

The Waratahs were reduced to 14 men when Naiyaravoro was sin-binned in the 57th minute for tackling Barrett in the air.

The Hurricanes immediately took advantage of Naiyaravoro’s absence with Julian Savea scoring on his vacant wing a minute later.

Barrett not only ran well and kicked well, he also made a try saving tackle on Naiyaravoro in the 72nd minute, denying the Waratahs a potentially crucial bonus point.