Waratahs coach Darren Coleman hopes Saturday’s defeat is the worst of it,expecting his cavalry to return and with it some momentum in a six-week run into the finals.
With their season on life support,the Waratahs beat the Western Force 36-16 thanks to a masterclass from their captain and centre.
Suliasi Vunivalu has come to life as the Queensland Reds won overseas for the first time in four years and burst Moana Pasifika’s bubble in Samoa.
Western Force were left to rue a poor first half after falling just short against the Hurricanes,with the Super Rugby Pacific heavyweights taking a win in Palmerston North on Sunday.
The depleted Crusaders have made it 12 straight wins over the Queensland Reds,who are again counting the costs of unforced errors in a second-straight Super Rugby Pacific loss.
The Western Force’s struggles in New Zealand have continued with a 30-17 loss to the highly professional Blues.
A 24-14 loss to the Chiefs leaves the Waratahs precariously placed with just one win from five matches to begin Darren Coleman’s second year as head coach.
The Western Force have missed a chance in New Zealand after the Highlanders escaped with a comeback Super Rugby Pacific win in Invercargill.
NSW fell to their third loss in four games after a sloppy period in the second half when the Hurricanes made them pay.
The Western Force have overcome the late dismissals of two players to score a match-winning penalty after the final siren.
The Brumbies have continued their unblemished start to the Super Rugby Pacific season with a 23-17 win against the Queensland Reds.