The Waratahs continued their fine run of form in this year's Super 12 with a hard fought 19-13 victory over the Hurricanes.

Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu have virtually ensured the Waratahs host a home Super 12 semi-final with a mighty 19-13 win against the Hurricanes at Aussie Stadium.
To lose the chance of a Sydney semi-final, the Waratahs must not score a point in the remaining two rounds while the Highlanders must win both their games and score at least one bonus point.

It was by no means a pretty victory and the rugby gods were indeed smiling on the Waratahs who celebrated their one millionth Sydney spectator on the night.

The Waratahs will be quietly thanking Hurricanes fullback Cullen after a monumental blunder in the 52nd minute and one by winger Lomu in the 73rd minute.

So monumental that they have not only greatly assisted the Waratahs, but the Hurricanes' hopes of making the final four are looking extremely grim on 23 points with two rounds remaining. And mistakes aside, the Hurricanes were their own worst enemy with a series of penalties making life difficult.

The Waratahs had just scored through No.8 David Lyons in the 50th minute to extend their lead to 19-8 after Hurricanes flanker Kupu Vanisi was sent to the sin-bin. But from the restart, Hurricanes centre Tana Umaga made a scintillating break before offloading for Cullen who strolled over the line. But the former All Black fullback was too casual in placing the ball and inexplicably lost control.

Fortunately for the Hurricanes, they rebounded quickly with replacement Tony Coughlan crossing in the 55th minute to reduce the Waratahs' lead to 19-13.

But Cullinan was again the focus 18 minutes later when after a smart chip ahead he looked to have regained the loose ball to score only for winger Francis Cullimore to flick the ball from his hands just centimetres from grounding.

And three minutes later, Lomu was feeling just as inadequate when he lost the ball forward with the line wide open just 15m out. Lomu's hands throughout the game were poor to say the least.

It was all part of a gripping final 20 minutes. The Waratahs were judged held-up over the line from a maul in the 66th minute and were then forced to defend against a mountain of Hurricanes pressure in the final stages.

The Waratahs held a 9-8 lead at half-time courtesy of three penalties to Matt Burke, who was to pass 1000 points for the Waratahs during the second-half.

Some may say Cullen's first blunder was divine justice for an earlier shocker by Waratahs hooker Brendan Cannon in the 18th minute. Much maligned for his lineout throwing during the week, Cannon was badly off the mark again. A throw 5m from his own line missed everyone except Hurricanes lock Paul Tito, who must have thought all his Christmases had come true when he simply had to take a few steps before crashing over untouched.

The Waratahs will be breathing a huge sigh of relief, but know they have a mountain of work when they return to the training paddock with lineouts a major focus. A series of turnovers in try-scoring positions in the first-half will have also frustrated coach Bob Dwyer.

Scoreboard

NSW 19
Try: D Lyons.
Goals: D McRae field goal; M Burke 3 pen goals, 1 goal.

HURRICANES 13
Tries: P Tito T Coughlan.
Goals: D Holwell pen goal.

At Aussie Stadium.
Crowd: 37,288.
Referee: Eugene Daniels (SA).