Waratahs facing brutal schedule

The NSW Waratahs are steeling themselves for a brutal schedule that could require playing for 13 straight weeks to retain their Super Rugby crown.

The Waratahs climbed into the top six for the first time this season and closed to within two competition points of Australian conference leaders the Brumbies with their hard-fought 23-11 victory over the Blues on Saturday night.



But 2014 title-winning captain Michael Hooper lamented an untimely bye this weekend that not only threatens to stall the Tahs' momentum from back-to-back wins, but also precedes a demanding 10-game stretch before the …