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Colin Cooper - Source: Photosport -
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How did it all come to this? The Hurricanes, who started the 2010 season as third favourites to take the title, have unbelievably not tasted victory since round three.
They now face the daunting prospect of having to win their last five matches with a few bonus points to boot to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs.
It's a scenario that Colin Cooper's side isn't really used too. Here is a side that over the last five years has reached the semi-finals four times and in 2006, even hosted a final.
However the Hurricanes have learnt this year that the Super 14 is a game of inches and that just one bad referring decision or one silly mistake can turn an apparent win into a heartbreaking result.
In fact over the past three matches such sentiment couldn't be closer to the truth. The Canes have been pipped at the post by the Bulls in Pretoria by one point, denied a last gasp draw against the Sharks by a 50-metre Ruan Piennar penalty, and finally, robbed of a win against the Crusaders as a couple of contentious decisions went the way of the visitors.
For all their flair the Hurricanes in previous seasons have been able to grind out results. Last year, for example, they won four matches by seven points or less so the group knows the margin between success and failure is small.
"There has only been four points in the past three games so we're doing a lot of things well but it's just that our confidence has taken a hit, Cooper told ONE News.
"But we're still united as a group so we just have to look forward.
"We're playing alright; I think things have gone against us or the bounce of the ball if you like.
"So I think we got to keep on doing what we're doing, doing what we're doing well but get our accuracy better."
However the time has come for the Hurricanes to front and the equation for Cooper, who is in his last year in charge of the franchise, is simple.
"We have to win every game so there is no secret formula.
"We just have to go out and win which I think is a good position for these guys.
"There is no wait and see it's just all about performing now."
