The loss of skipper Simon Katich in the final over of the middle session has left New South Wales precariously placed at 3-168 at tea on day one of its Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania at the SCG.
Jason Krejza (1-55) made the vital breakthrough removing the dangerous Katich caught behind by rookie gloveman Brady Jones for 62 with the final delivery of the session.
Phil Jaques was the other man to fall after lunch for a well-made 66, while Michael Clarke (23) and Usman Khawaja will resume the fight after tea.
Luke Butterworth (2-45) has been the pick of the bowlers so far on day one with Tim MacDonald (0-20 off 15 overs) providing strong support.
The middle session almost began disastrously for the Blues with Jaques lucky not to be run-out in the second over after lunch.
Jaques dropped the ball short of gully and immediately set off only to be sent back by his skipper, but a charging Jason Krejza was unable to hit the target from close range.
The opener continued to live dangerously and was given another life on 48 when Jonathan Wells grassed a tough chance diving low and to his left at short square-leg off Drew (0-39).
He brought up his half-century soon after but his luck finally ran out on 66 when he skied a slog-sweep to Wells who needed three attempts to take a difficult catch running back with the flight.
Katich was lucky not to follow Jaques back to the pavilion when Michael Clarke left his skipper stranded attempting a quick single but the visitors missed their chance.
Rookie gloveman Brady Jones was unable to hit the stumps with a back-handed flick after fielding a loose throw from mid-on.
Katich took full advantage of the let-off bringing up his 50 with a beautiful cover drive off Krejza as he and Clarke set about steadying the innings before tea.
Having won the toss and elected to bat in overcast conditions, both NSW openers had some difficult early moments on a wicket offering some assistance for the quicks.
Jaques began nervously, edging through the slips to get off the mark, while Hughes looked uncomfortable for the majority of his 35-minute stay at the crease.
Butterworth bowled with pace and swing early and was rewarded for his efforts when Hughes played on off a delivery he could have easily left alone.
Looking to impress national selectors ahead of next week's Test against the West Indies in Brisbane, the diminutive opener looked to play the short and wide delivery through the covers but a thick inside edge brought his innings to an abrupt end.
The visitors were dealt a major blow on the eve of the match with paceman Brett Geeves ruled out with a side strain, while promising Blues rookie Josh Hazlewood will have to wait a little longer to make his Sheffield Shield debut after being named 12th man.
New South Wales 1st innings
Hughes b Butterworth 12
Jaques c Wells b Butterworth 66
Katich c Jones b Krejza 62
Clarke not out 23
Khawaja not out 0
Extras: 5 (2b, 3lb,)
Total: 168 (3 wickets; 58 overs)
FOW: 1-23, 2-120, 3-168
Bowling
Butterworth 15 - 3 - 45 - 2
MacDonald 15 - 4 -20 - 0
Drew 14 - 1 - 39 - 0
Krejza 14.1 - 2 - 55 - 1
Marsh 2 - 1 - 4 - 0