It has been 10 years since the Hurricanes last lost to the Waratahs but coach Clark Laidlaw is under no illusions about the challenge that awaits his team at Sky Stadium tonight.
Although the hosts have been backed by the punters to continue their decade-long dominance, the vastly improved Waratahs have won twice as many games as the Hurricanes this season and must feel they are due, especially after going an entire year without a win in New Zealand.
The Hurricanes topped the table last year but have failed to fire so far in 2025, registering just two wins from five games to sit five points adrift of the top six.
They have been hit hard by injuries and the blows keep coming with breakout star Harry Godfrey the latest to be sidelined, leaving late bloomer Riley Hohepa as the last No. 10 standing for a game they must win to build some much-needed momentum.
The Hurricanes survived a tense finish to secure just their second win of the season, against the Highlanders in Dunedin a fortnight ago, only to have their momentum halted by the bye.
The Waratahs snapped a 13-game losing streak against the Brumbies last weekend to claim their fourth win from five games.
The Hurricanes play the Waratahs at 6.05 tonight.
In other matches, the Brumbies face the Highlanders at 8.35 tonight, the Crusaders meet Moana Pasifika at 6.05pm tomorrow, with the Reds taking on the Western Force at 8.35 tomorrow night.
[Source: Stuff.co]
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