The Waratahs made their return to Allianz Stadium hoping to make it consecutive wins against New Zealand opposition for the first time since 2015.

They finished the 80 minutes as they did after their first home game a little more than 12 months ago: frustrated and disappointed.

Poor handling in the first half and a lacklustre second half, where the Waratahs were regularly beaten to the breakdown, stifled the home side and hurt cruelled their hopes of sending the 13,553 fans home happy as the Highlanders poked their heads in front.

Then a ray of light appeared, as Max Jorgensen atoned for a fumble near his line that resulted in a try by scoring one himself.

His five-pointer cut the margin to 23-21 after Tane Edmed’s conversion attempt went wide.

Needing a penalty to win the match the Waratahs were given another opportunity to seal the deal, as Damon Murphy, who had been trigger happy at the breakdown all evening, gave the fans what they wanted by awarding the home side a penalty with time up.

But it wasn’t to be as Edmed’s penalty went across the face of goals, with the Highlanders holding on 23-21 after trailing 16-13 at half-time.

Tanielu Tele’a’s powerful try out wide, where he tossed away Triston Reilly and bumped off Joey Walton, proved to be the decisive moment as he scored in the 65th minute.

Highlanders enforcer Hugh Renton was superb for the visitors, while Timoci Tavatavanawai was the best on the ground as the winger made it two from two at the ground after playing a crucial role in Moana Pasifika’s boilover in the last round of the regular season last year.

For the Waratahs it was a dagger in the hearts of the Waratahs and their under pressure coach Darren Coleman.

Needing to convince the NSW Rugby board that he is the right man to take the team forward, the home side are one win, two losses to start the year.

It doesn’t get any easier next week either, with the Waratahs to host the Blues on Saturday.