The NSW Waratahs have been hit with a daunting four-game mid-season Super 12 road trip which takes them from Cape Town to Auckland during a tough 2004 campaign.

And if their finals hopes come down to the final game, they'll have to beat the Reds - probably at the 52,000-seat Suncorp Stadium.

Next year's Super 12 draw should be officially released by the end of the week.

But NSW, who kick off their campaign against the Crusaders in Nelson, already know they'll play the Bulls in Pretoria and the Stormers in Cape Town before finishing a testing trip against the Chiefs and defending champions the Blues in Rotorua and Auckland respectively.

The Queensland Reds start with the Highlanders in Invercargill while the ACT Brumbies are at home to the Blues.

The Waratahs however had some good news with confirmation Wallabies back-up centre Morgan Turinui had agreed to sign a new two-year deal until the end of 2005.

"They treated me pretty well and gave me an opportunity," explained Turini, who lost his Test jumper after England beat Australia in June.

"I'm really happy with everything at the Waratahs.

"We've got a few second rowers and a few young blokes I played with coming through and I'm really looking for a positive season next season.

"I'm happy to stay where I am and I want to be part of a team that wins the Super 12 and that's our goal for next year."

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