Bob Dwyer has extended his current deal with New South Wales until the end of the 2004 season.

Dwyer, the former Wallaby coach who took up his current position with the Waratahs in 2000, has had two years added to his contract as he continues to oversee the team's push towards this year's Super 12 semi-finals.

"We can now begin serious planning for the future," said Dwyer. "It's important to have stability in your management structure to be successful and I'm pleased to see that John McKay and the rest of the New South Wales leadership have great confidence in our coaching staff.

"In the meantime though we have a Super 12 title to play for and this weekend it doesn't get any tougher than against the Wellington Hurricanes who are brimming with All Blacks, like Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga and Jonah Lomu."

"Bob has done a terrific job with the Waratahs since taking over at the end of the 2000 season," said John McKay, executive director of New South Wales Rugby.

"The fans have voted with their feet, turning up in record numbers to see the Waratahs enjoy their most successful Super 12 season to date, so I think everyone will be happy with Bob's reappointment."

Winger Marc Stcherbina will miss again with the thigh strain that ruled him out of last week's win over the Brumbies, with his place in the team to play the Hurricanes at Aussie Stadium again to be taken by Francis Cullimore.

Waratah skipper Matt Burke needs just 11 more points in the match to reach 1,000 points for New South Wales, having scored 989 points in the light blue jersey since making his debut in 1993.

"I'm not surprised that Matthew Burke has another milestone beckoning, with only 11 points to get to reach a thousand and close to a hundred caps for NSW to his name, I think Matthew will leave a legacy that will probably never be surpassed," Dwyer said.