Rugby: Hurricanes fizzle out in Sydney

Lachie Turner of the Waratahs makes a break. Photo / Getty Images

Colin Cooper's reign as Hurricanes head coach ended with a familiar sense of anti-climax tonight as the Waratahs romped into Super 14 title contention with a compelling 32-16 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Waratahs protected their unbeaten home record this season and erased any prospect of Australian franchises not featuring in the play-offs by denying Cooper the opportunity to plot for a sixth semifinal appearance in his eighth and final year in charge.

The Hurricanes five-match unbeaten run ended in dismal circumstances as the Waratahs nailed the maximum five points to provisionally occupy second spot behind the reigning champions Bulls.

Their hopes of avoiding a trip to South Africa depends on the Stormers flopping against a second-string Bulls line-up at Cape Town early Sunday (NZT).

The Hurricanes, who made no advance from fifth, have made a habit of conceding a halftime advantage during a resurgence that began with a draw against the Crusaders in round eight, but there was no way back after the Waratahs held an 18-9 advantage that proved deceptively close at halftime.

Instead the Waratahs backed up audacious attack with steely defence, denying the Hurricanes a five-pointer until replacement wing David Smith crossed in the 74th minute.

The Hurricanes had more opportunities in the second half but abrasive Waratahs tackling and poor handling conspired against a miraculous comeback.

A lost ball by Ma'a Nonu in the 67th minute - when the Waratahs had Lachie Cameron in the sinbin -- summed up their frustrating end to the season when the All Blacks midfielder was penalised by New Zealand referee Chris Pollock for dissent.

The Waratahs wore a new strip for charity and the adventurous new look did not stop there as they shed their inhibitions with a startling display of all out attack that had the Hurricanes reeling.

Given their dominance there was only scant reward -- two first half tries executed in a style normally associated with the Hurricanes as the Waratahs played with a verve rarely seen during their five previous home games.

The Hurricanes feared midfield of Nonu and Conrad Smith were practically anonymous in a first half that had the visitors consigned to shaping up the defensive line after wave after wave of Waratahs offense.

Fittingly it was the All Blacks duo's opposites that instigated the opening try from 60-metres out as Rob Horne and Tom Carter both made telling bursts before in-form fullback Kurtley Beale chipped over Cory Jane and easily won the race to the touch down in the 15th minute.

The Hurricanes were back under immense pressure almost immediately as the Waratahs monopolised possession and territory to such an extent the ruck and maul count was 38-2 in their favour after 27 minutes.

However, they initially struggled to transfer those advantages into points -- flanker Ben Mowen was dragged down centimetres short as early as the eighth minute; Turner was denied by Nonu at the end of the first quarter while Berrick Barnes also butchered a try when ignoring a two-man overlap.

Barnes' bungled try followed a decision by Luke Burgess to take a quick tap when three points were offer in front of the posts.

Waratahs captain Phil Waugh ensured there was no repeat of the halfback's risky strategy when Barnes popped over another easy penalty in the 28th minute.

Four minutes later the Waratahs added a deserved second try when a fractured Hurricanes backline had blindside flanker Michael Paterson kicking away rare possession -- moments later Turner had scythed through a ragged line before throwing cutting out two teammates for Drew Mitchell to dive over for his first.

The Hurricanes also suffered in the personnel stakes.

Waratahs starting loosehead prop Dan Palmer -- an inadequate stand in for Wallabies cornerstone Benn Robinson -- survived only one scrum against Neemia Tialata before he retreated, but the Hurricanes front row suffered the most when inspirational captain and hooker Andrew Hore was lost to an elbow injury in the 23rd minute.

Weepu's third penalty as the halftime hooter sounded gave the Hurricanes a glimmer of hope but when Mitchell cleverly chipped ahead for Horne, who flicked a try-scoring pass to the winger in the 45th minute, another Hurricanes Houdini act was taken out of the equation.

Beale then achieved the bonus point when his hopeful chip and chase bounced kindly with 30 minutes remaining.

NSW WARATAHS 32 (Kurtley Beale 2, Drew Mitchell 2 tries Berrick Barnes 3 cons 2 pens) bt HURRICANES 16 (David Smith try Piri Weepu con 3 pens) at Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: Chris Pollock (NZL).

- NZPA