Hurricanes, Waratahs on a crusade

WELLINGTON – The Wellington Hurricanes and the New South Wales Waratahs have the opportunity to take over the running of the Super 14 with victories in their home matches this weekend.

They are the only teams capable of passing current competition leaders, the Canterbury Crusaders, who have the chance to rest up this weekend. Both the Hurricanes and the Waratahs have completed their trek through South Africa, dropping a game each on the road, to have five wins from six matches.The Hurricanes, who trail the Crusaders by three points, face the twin threats of the notorious travel fatigue which hits teams on their first match back from the South African campaign, and the dangerous Sharks.The Sharks mounted a confidence-boosting ambush of the tired Otago Highlanders in similar circumstances last week, and Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper recognises this is a dangerous match for his second-placed side.The Waratahs, who like the Hurricanes have lost only one of their six matches so far and are one point behind them in third place, are up against an Auckland Blues who showed signs last week against the ACT Brumbies that they are getting their season on track.It was no surprise that the Blues found form at the same time as they found they had explosive outside backs to utilise, and the Waratahs have moved to counter this.Lote Tuqiri returns after missing the last round due to Rugby Sevens duties at the Commonwealth Games and slots straight back on to the wing, moving Wendell Sailor to the other wing, Peter Hewat back to fullback and Sam Norton-Knight to the bench.The Brumbies, who are at home to the Waikato Chiefs, are smarting after their loss to the Blues last week, their first defeat of the season which saw them fall behind the Waratahs into fourth place.The Bulls are in Perth to play the hapless Western Force who have yet to register a point in the competition.The Central Cheetahs host the Queensland Reds and the Golden Cats become the targets of a fired up Otago Highlanders.- Nampa-AFPBoth the Hurricanes and the Waratahs have completed their trek through South Africa, dropping a game each on the road, to have five wins from six matches.The Hurricanes, who trail the Crusaders by three points, face the twin threats of the notorious travel fatigue which hits teams on their first match back from the South African campaign, and the dangerous Sharks.The Sharks mounted a confidence-boosting ambush of the tired Otago Highlanders in similar circumstances last week, and Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper recognises this is a dangerous match for his second-placed side.The Waratahs, who like the Hurricanes have lost only one of their six matches so far and are one point behind them in third place, are up against an Auckland Blues who showed signs last week against the ACT Brumbies that they are getting their season on track.It was no surprise that the Blues found form at the same time as they found they had explosive outside backs to utilise, and the Waratahs have moved to counter this.Lote Tuqiri returns after missing the last round due to Rugby Sevens duties at the Commonwealth Games and slots straight back on to the wing, moving Wendell Sailor to the other wing, Peter Hewat back to fullback and Sam Norton-Knight to the bench.The Brumbies, who are at home to the Waikato Chiefs, are smarting after their loss to the Blues last week, their first defeat of the season which saw them fall behind the Waratahs into fourth place.The Bulls are in Perth to play the hapless Western Force who have yet to register a point in the competition.The Central Cheetahs host the Queensland Reds and the Golden Cats become the targets of a fired up Otago Highlanders. – Nampa-AFP