The Waratahs winless season has been confirmed after a demoralising 40-7 loss to the Chiefs.
Winger Sean Wainui would score five tries as the Chiefs cruised to victory in the final game of the Trans-Tasman regular season.
Watch every minute of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
The Waratahs season from hell was compounded with Wallabies hopefuls Izaia Perese and Lachie Swinton in doubt for the France series.
Perese was taken from the field with a suspected dislocated shoulder, whilst Swinton will have a nervous wait after he was sent off for a dangerous cleanout.
The Chiefs got off to the perfect start as the returning Sean Wainui crossed in the corner inside ten minutes.
As the Waratahs fought for their first win, disaster would strike for centre Izaia Perese.
Perese, who was expected to be named in Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad tomorrow, was forced from the field in the 12th minute with a dislocated shoulder.
His injury was instantly compounded by a second try to Wainui as the visitors looked to cruise away with the win.
However, once again the Waratahs would refuse to give up as a pair of young guns produced some magic.
With Lachlan Boshier in the bin, Will Harrison would find Mark Nawaqanitawase with a pin-point cross-kick, with the young fullback leaping over the top of the defender for the try.
Heading into the break down seven, the Waratahs pressed early on to level the scores.
Unfortunately for the home side, Wainui would continue his dominance, completing his hat-trick inside 47 minutes.
He would turn this into four as the Chiefs found space on the wing, racing out to a 28-7 lead.
As the Waratahs hunted for a comeback, poor handling would let them down as they failed to take advantage of some half-breaks.
They would be handed a lifeline as Tupou Vaa’i was controversially sent for ten for a high tackle, despite replays showing a head clash.
It was one of those nights for the Waratahs as James Ramm looked to have scored, however, would be ruled out by the TMO.
The visitors would instantly take advantage despite being down a man, with reserve Viliami Taulani crossing in the corner.
With the game all but over, flanker Lachie Swinton would suffer a brain explosion, hitting Luke Jacobson high as he attempted a clean-out on the Chiefs line.
This gave referee Jordan Way no option but to send him from the field, leaving him in major doubt for the Wallabies upcoming series against France in over three weeks time.
In the end, it was Wainui's night as he capped a remarkable comeback from injury with his fifth try on the siren.
CHIEFS 40
TRIES: Wainui 5, Taulani
CONS: Gatland 4, Trask
WARATAHS 7
TRIES: Nawaqanitawase
CONS: Harrison
