The Hurricanes issued the ambitious Waratahs a stern warning by hammering the Drua 67-5 with a slick attacking display in the wind at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
The Fijians defended stoutly for the first 15 minutes but once promising fullback Josh Moorby crossed for the first of his three tries the floodgates blew open.
Even without rested All Blacks stars Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett, the Hurricanes had far too much firepower for the Drua, the first year club who were playing their first game on New Zealand soil.
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Moorby staked his claim for further opportunities with a smooth running game while No.8 Tyler Laubscher was also impressive with his intent and physicality on Super Rugby debut on Sunday afternoon.
The seventh-placed Hurricanes improved to 6-5, three points behind the fifth-placed Waratahs (7-4).
With the finals looming, the stakes are then high for Saturday night’s clash at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval.
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The Waratahs showed grit but not a lot of polish in Friday’s 26-20 comeback win over the last-placed Moana Pasifika at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium.
“I’m happy to say we’re (Australian teams) still behind the Kiwis, there’s no doubt,” Waratahs coach Darren Coleman told reporters.
“If you look at the six teams head-to-head, they’re better. But I am comfortable that we’ve closed the gap a bit, particularly our team. I can’t speak too much for the others… there are three games to go, so three more opportunities to go…
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“I’m not trumpeting that we’ve closed the gap. We’re in there swinging, but you guys are still ahead, there’s no doubt about that.”
The top eight teams qualify for the finals in a generous format, with the top for earning home advantage for week one.
“At the start of the year, based on what the boys had come off last year, if you’d offered me sneaking into eighth spot, I would have taken it,” Coleman said.
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“Now we’re getting a bit greedy and we’re setting our sights on catching the Chiefs and getting a home final.
“There’s a bit of work to do and it won’t get any easier next week against the Hurricanes. I’m chuffed with where we’re sitting and how we’re going.”
Former Highlanders lock Joe Wheeler wondered whether NSW’s somewhat flat display was a hangover from their epic win over the Crusaders the week before.
“The Waratahs on the flipside looked like they were still on the play, still at the Coogee Bay Hotel celebrating last week’s win,” Wheeler said.
“They’ll be getting a rocket I imagine in the sheds. They finished well, though… Darren Coleman has worked wonders.”
With a six-day turnaround and a trans-Tasman flight, Hurricanes coach Jason Holland was well aware of the task in front of his side.
“They’ll (Waratahs) fill the field a bit better than the Drua did tonight, defensively, and they’re a complete side now and playing a good style of footy,” Holland said.
“We saw what happened last night with the Brumbies (beating the Chiefs 38-28) and we got towelled up by the Brumbies.
“The Waratahs are in the same league so we have to be on our game.”
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