The Waratahs stormed into the Super 14 semifinals with an emphatic 32-16 win over the Hurricanes in Sydney on Friday.
Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell scored two tries each, as the Waratahs used their kicking boots to break through a tenacious Hurricanes defence.
The Waratahs dominated possession early but were held to 18-9 at halftime as the Hurricanes stood firm in their 22 at Sydney Football Stadium.
The game blew open shortly after halftime, however, as the Waratahs scored two quick tries and then absorbed the Hurricanes’ forward pressure to cruise to victory.
The Waratahs will have to wait for the result of the Stormers-Bulls match at Newlands to determine their semifinal opponents.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders found form at the perfect time to defeat the Brumbies 40-22 in Christchurch on Friday and extend their record to 12 appearances in the Super rugby semifinals.
The Crusaders, coming off three straight losses on the road, were at their clinical best in the do-or-die match, scoring five tries to seal a bonus point and defending ruthlessly to kill off the Brumbies’ postseason ambitions. — Reuters