Waratahs 17
Hurricanes 28
The Hurricanes not only set the seal on a disastrous weekend for Australian teams in Super Rugby with their 28-17 win over the Waratahs, but they also stayed in outside contention to win the congested New Zealand conference next week in a rails finish.
It was never going to be a one-sided tryfest in Sydney, as the three other transtasman clashes transpired. This encounter was bruising, rugged, niggly and played for keeps. There were two yellow cards, one against either side. Hurricanes skipper Dane Coles appeared to be losing patience with referee Chris Pollock, and vice versa.
The Hurricanes will face the Crusaders in Christchurch next Saturday evening knowing victory there and the Chiefs falling to the Highlanders may give them the NZ conference title. In truth, they will just be happy to have escaped with the win from Allianz Stadium, where they did not always showcase their best work.
The Waratahs head to Eden Park next Friday night knowing they can still snatch the Australian conference crown from the Brumbies, but they will need more breadth to their inconsistent game to trouble the resurgent Blues.