Waratahs v Hurricanes: Five takeaways as visitors profit from ‘Dave Rennie bounce’ as Aussies struggle with Joseph Suaalii ‘predicament’
New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, and Waratahs and Wallabies star Joseph Suaalii.
Following a 59-19 victory for the Hurricanes over the Waratahs, here are our five takeaways from the Super Rugby Pacific encounter at Allianz Stadium on Friday.
The top line
The Hurricanes produced a stunning display after the break to score six second-half tries and bounce back from their shock defeat to Fijian Drua last weekend.
After Triston Reilly opened the scoring for the Waratahs and they only found themselves 17-12 in arrears at the interval, few really saw the second 40 blitz coming, but the visitors were utterly exceptional. Billy Proctor starred with a hat-trick, while Ere Enari, Bailyn Sullivan and Jone Rova also went over after the interval to embarrass a forlorn ‘Tahs outfit.
Max Jorgensen did touch down twice for the Australians to once again underline his pedigree, but they were outclassed by the ‘Canes, who also had Asafo Aumua and Peter Lakai cross the whitewash.
Dave Rennie bounce
Eddie Jones remarked following Rennie’s appointment that “every player in New Zealand now will think they have a chance of playing for the All Blacks”, and the Hurricanes perhaps proved that point on Friday.
Everyone’s heard of the ‘new manager bounce’ used in football, which also applies to head coaches in rugby, but it could similarly be referenced here, albeit indirectly. Whether the new All Blacks boss directly yields an immediate upturn in form will be discovered later this year, but there were some sparkling displays which suggested the players heeded Rennie’s comments following his appointment.
The game started with a fine turnover from Xavier Numia and that rather set the tone as the visitors produced a superb effort against a Waratahs side that had won their first two matches comfortably. There were a number of standouts, from those on the fringes of selection such as Proctor to the established All Blacks Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett.
Even individuals like Devan Flanders, Callum Harkin and Josh Moorby, who have rarely – if ever – been mentioned in the Test equation, might see themselves in the picture in July, and they played like it. Flanders in particular is the type of hard-nosed flanker Rennie might like and that extra motivation could lift him to new heights in 2026.
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Joseph Suaalii conundrum
The cross-code star’s introduction to rugby union was spectacular, producing a man-of-the-match display in the victory over England on his professional debut in the 15-a-side game. Since then, 13 has been the position Suaalii has held at Test level but, in truth, he had an unremarkable 2025 for the Wallabies.
That came after he featured predominantly for the Waratahs at full-back and there have been calls for him to return there after an underwhelming start to 2026. Dan McKellar has followed Joe Schmidt in putting Suaalii at outside centre, but the result has not been especially positive for the Sydney outfit so far this year.
He was scheduled to start this game but pulled up in the warm-up and unfortunately had to be replaced. It therefore provided the opportunity for the ‘Tahs to see how the replacement would fare and whether it would be better to shift the 22-year-old into the back three.
But therein lies the issue for the Sydneysiders as George Poolman struggled to make an impact. He had one good run but that outside centre channel was consistently exploited by the Hurricanes as the visitors continually found space through the middle. Poolman was also yellow-carded and it probably didn’t do his cause any good when the Hurricanes’ two late tries came with him actually back on the field.
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All Blacks’ big loss?
It is rare for such young New Zealand players to take the option of moving abroad but 23-year-old Fehi Fineanganofo has decided to take up a lucrative offer in England, which effectively ruled out his chances of being picked for the All Blacks.
Prior to the 2025 NPC season, few would have really batted an eyelid had Fineanganofo departed but, after starring for Bay of Plenty, eyebrows were raised when he signed for the ambitious English PREM side Newcastle Red Bulls.
The speedster had a mixed Super Rugby campaign last year but the potential was obvious and, following a fine start to the 2026 edition, Rennie may hope there is some sort of break clause in the contract given his performances in the three games so far.
Although Fineanganofo did not add to the three tries he scored in their opening two matches, the wing was hugely influential in this victory, particularly in the first half, as he showcased his power and pace in cutting the Waratahs apart. The All Blacks do not lack for back-three quality and, as we know, the role of the wing has changed slightly with the removal of ‘escorts’, but it looks like Newcastle have got a gem.
Lineout yips
One Hurricanes star we have yet to delve into is Asafo Aumua and that is because he endured a difficult day at the lineout. While his quality in the loose was on full display, which included going over for a try, those set-piece issues need to be rectified if he is to force his way back into the All Blacks reckoning.
While it is not always the hooker’s fault when the lineout goes awry, it was telling that the ‘Canes improved once his replacement, Jacob Devery, entered the fray. With Codie Taylor still the number one and Samisoni Taukei’aho returning to form while Aumua was on the sidelines in 2025, he has a lot of work to do to regain his place in the New Zealand 23.
The Hurricanes front-rower was not the only hooker to struggle in the lineout, however, with the Waratahs also having their issues in the set-piece. It was a bad day for Folau Fainga’a, who was hooked after 43 minutes, while Ioane Moananu had a few issues too. It was a day when both lineouts malfunctioned.
