NSW has taken the first step towards burying the nightmare of 2007, kicking off its Super 14 campaign with a promising 20-3 win over the Hurricanes at the SFS.
It wasn't always pretty but the healthy crowd of 27,011 didn't care as the Tahs began to repay the faithful as they had promised all off-season.
League convert Timana Tahu had a hand in two of his side's three tries in a convincing start to his new career, while elusive fullback Lachlan Turner crossed for a double.
NSW made plenty of mistakes as it came to grips with rugby's new laws but there was no questioning the players' commitment or desire in a fast-paced affair.
The hosts went to the break leading 10-3 after an entertaining first half featuring plenty of attacking rugby under the new laws.
In one of his first touches at Super 14 level, Tahu set up NSW's first try with a lovely piece of skill and quick thinking.
After Kurtley Beale and Lote Tuqiri handled from a scrum win close to the Hurricanes' line, Tahu brilliantly tapped on a pass for the flying Turner to scorch over in the corner after 18 minutes.
Beale landed the sideline conversion for an early 7-0 lead.
The Hurricanes narrowed the gap five minutes later when Jimmy Gopperth slotted a penalty goal.
Beale restored the seven-point advantage in the 37th minute, landing a 42m penalty goal to make it 10-3.
The Tahs enjoyed the perfect start to the second half, crossing after just three minutes through breakaway Rocky Elsom.
The industrious back-rower picked the ball up quickly from the breakdown and fought his way through a tangle of bodies to plant the ball down for NSW's second try.
Beale was unable to land the extras from a wide angle, leaving the home side nursing a handy 15-3 lead.
It took NSW another 31 minutes to find the line again and put the game beyond the Hurricanes' reach.
Beale found Tahu close to the line and the former Parramatta Eel took on the defence and flicked a pass out for Turner to cross out wide.
Replacement Sam Harris had seemingly given his side a four-try bonus point in the dying seconds when he went over, but the five-pointer was denied after the referee deemed the last pass from Beale forward.
Tahu wasn't sighted for large slabs of the match but did well with the little ball he did see, while Turner and Tuqiri were heavily involved.
In the forwards Elsom and Wycliff Palu were the pick, keeping up a frenetic pace as many around them wilted.
The Canes have an ordinary record at the SFS and simply couldn't hold on to the ball long enough to suggest they may turn that run of outs around.
The visitors showed their usual willingness to move the ball but the Tahs defence and constant turnovers killed them.
Waratahs 20
Tries: Turner 2, Elsom
Conversion: Beale
Penalty: Beale
Hurricanes 3
Penalty: Gopperth