Rugby: Sloppy Canes likely to be relieved at cancellation

Ewen McKenzie was happy with the way the Reds showed resilience and thought of alternatives to get around the Force. Photo / Getty Images

The Hurricanes may feel relieved they collected two points for an earthquake-affected draw against the Crusaders.

On the evidence of their ordinary opening effort against the Highlanders, the Canes would be fortunate to have stayed with the all-round clout of the best side in the tournament's history.

The Hurricanes were sloppy in round one, listless and uninspired in their initial outing while the Crusaders, despite falling in the last stages of their rousing match against the Blues, were a cut above anything offered from their scheduled next opponents tomorrow.

No doubt the Hurricanes also needed another game to find something resembling form, teamwork and combinations because they have a bye in round three before they host the Chiefs in the fourth round.

That means former All Blacks Bryn Evans and Rodney So'oialo will not suit up until at least that match.

In another blow for the Hurricanes Ma'a Nonu's one-match suspension will be served against the Chiefs on March 12 meaning he won't play until week five against the Blues.

The match cancellation dilutes some interest in this round of games involving New Zealand teams, but there will be a serious joust across the ditch tomorrow night when the Waratahs host the Reds in Sydney.

The last time the Reds beat the Waratahs, in 2004, Ewen McKenzie was in his first year coaching the Tahs.

That victory was the end of the Reds' run of nine seasons of success against their interstate rivals although they came close last year, under McKenzie's switched coaching tutelage, when they leaked several late tries to lose 28-30.

However that result seems to have been forgotten by many who were less than impressed by the Reds' struggle to a late 21-20 victory against the Force last weekend.

McKenzie said observers were free to write his side off but he liked the way they had shown resilience and alternate ideas to get past the Force. A year ago, the Reds would not have achieved the same result.

"We lost two or three games last year because we didn't adapt. Maybe that comes with maturity," he said.

McKenzie is bullish about the Reds reversing their inter-state results tomorrow in Sydney although he may be a little disconcerted because they have two days less turnaround than their opponents and also have to contend with the travel factor.

"We look forward to the opportunity to change the landscape, change the pecking order," he said.

"They're at the top of Australian rugby and we're keen to do something about that."

New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence will be in the middle of the action where his control of the scrums will be monitored closely. The Waratahs had scrum issues against the Rebels last week although the tournament's referee boss Lyndon Bray suggested those difficulties were not helped by the match official's engagement calls.

While the Reds have pepped up their attack with Will Genia and Quade Cooper at the tiller, the Waratahs boast a strong defence and will do everything to slow down the pace of their rivals' phase possession.

The Force used similar tactics in sweltering conditions last week in Brisbane and nearly came away with the result. But as McKenzie observed, in his dry manner, the Reds made the victory speech.

He'd noted the predictions and conjecture about the damage the Waratahs were going to inflict on his side.

"I'm sitting here saying, 'Okay, well we've got plans too'."