Draw leaves Waratahs hanging

The Waratahs and Stormers played themselves to a standstill in torrential rain to each take a share of the points and keep themselves in the hunt for a semi-final place in Super 14.

With one round left, both sides needed to win to better their chances of qualification and hopefully secure a home play-off berth.

But the heavy downpour put paid to the match as a spectacle and instead the encounter descended into a physical battle of attrition that failed to deliver a winner.

Both sides will now need to win their final matches next week to ensure they are in the play-offs. The Stormers travel to the rock-bottom Lions while the Waratahs meet the Reds in Sydney.

The Waratahs opened the scoring through a penalty by Kurtley Beale before the home side found a gaping hole on the wing for powerhouse Sireli Naqelevuki to power his way over for a try with two Waratahs on his back.

The conversion was missed and Beale put his side ahead 6-5 at the break with another penalty.

The Stormers went back into the lead just 30 seconds after the restart.

A charging Wylie Human blocked Lachie Turner's attempted clearance and pounced on the loose ball for a try.

The Tahs kept up the pressure, and their forwards managed several times to come within inches of the line.

Eventually the ball went wide to Lote Tuqiri, who forced his way over in the corner. Beale made the conversion and the scores were level.

Both sides tried their best to secure the win, but the conditions played their hand in ruining the match which petered out into an unsatisfactory draw.

Scorers:

Stormers 13
Tries: Naqelevuki, Human
Pen: Brown

Waratahs 13

Try: Tuqiri
Con: Beale
Pen: Beale 2

HT: Waratahs 6-5