Waratahs top of the table, Highlanders equal top on NZ table. Two teams with everything to play for. It was on from the kick-off.
The Match
The Waratahs started full of running. First score was a penalty to Foley, then followed by some magnificent running by both teams with the Waratahs dominant. They finally finished a linebreak off with Rob Horne going in from close range; in the lead-up there had been great work by Beale, Ashley-Cooper, Hoiles and Phipps. Great to see that Aaron Smith got a yellow card for a cynical offside in the lead-up. Most refs would have let the try be enough, but Walsh wanted a clean game and carded him. Foley missed the conversion, W 8-0.
The Highlanders had the Waratah scrum under huge pressure in this period, but the Waratahs were all over the Highlander lineout. Mitchell came off with concussion and Jed Robinson (ex Rebels) replaced him; Waratahs murdered a great chance with a forward pass and then conceded a scrum penalty 52 metres out. Sopoanga took the shot to eat up time but it was short. Moments later the Waratahs conceded a ruck penalty and got marched 10 metres for Hooper’s backchat. Sopoanga kicked it for W 8-3
The Waratahs had all the ball for the first 20 and were only 5 points up for their domination. From the kick-off it didn’t go the 10 and Highlanders had a scrum. There followed a long period of back and forth with a great Osbourne tackle on Folau a highlight. The Waratahs line speed on defense was excellent. Foley made a great a great break that almost led to a try. Christie was penalised for reaching over at a ruck and Foley kicked it for 11-3.
Then followed the best period of the match for the Highlanders with them camped in the Waratahs 22 for some time and they scored two penalties to take it to 11-9. The half finished with a great Beale kick return and a long Phipps break that had try written all over it but the Highlanders cleared the ball into touch for half time.
The Waratahs had dominated the first twenty but not scored enough and the Highlanders had hit back on the scoreboard. It was very even at half time and either team could have won from there.
Cheika asked for more physicality in attack and the Tahs responded immediately. The Highlanders were under pressure in their 22 and when Sopoanga passed too far in front of Ben Smith he knocked on for a Waratah’s scrum. Phipps passed to Beale on a set move, who put it back on the inside channel for Folau to score. Foley converted for 18-9. A long Foley kick back over Osbourne put more pressure on. A great Alofa breakout run followed then a pass to Ashley-Cooper who grubbered, was pulled down short and a knock on killed the opportunity. Folau made a great midfield bomb take, which led to a good Horne run but his pass to Beale was too low and it was knocked on – another opportunity gone begging!
Hooper grabbed another turnover and then “Jackpot” made a great break that, following some great ensemble play, led to a try to Kepu. The conversion missed, W 23-9. From the kick-off Hoiles made a great tackle which led to a turnover. The Highlanders were tiring, and their dominant scrum from the first half was now in trouble. Aaron Smith made a great intercept and Ben Smith a great run for the tryline but Foley and then Beale in the last line of defence were sensational and the move ended five metres out into touch. Phipps was lucky not to pick up a yellow for holding a player back.
A lineout, some good forward charges and an Alofa run cleared to their 22 and two two relieving penalties got the Waratahs into the Highlanders 22. Â A great Waratah scrum, followed by a Phipps/Horne cameo saw the touchdown called back for a forward pass. From the tighthead scrum Phipps then scored off a great Palu scrum move and Foley converted for the bonus point try. W 30-9 and the match was gone.
A great break by Alofa, pass to Ashley-Cooper then a grubber led to an excellent try to crowd-favorite Potgeiter. Foley converted for a 37-9 lead. Burleigh got a great individual try from a chip and chase, the Highlanders certainly hadn’t given up. Cheika cleared the bench and then Naiyaravoro scored a great try in the corner to finish it off. Full time 44-16 against one of the two best NZ teams; it was a Waratahs masterclass!
The Highlanders were not disgraced, they fought right till the end. You could see in Manu’s fulltime interview how exhausted he was and how disappointed to have lost so conclusively. But the Waratahs would have beaten anyone today, it was the best Waratah game of the season, with great ensemble running from 1-23. No one played badly and most were exceptional. I don’t think I have seen a better Waratah display against that level of opposition and I’ve been watching since the early sixties.
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The Game Changer
The gamechanger again was Cheika’s half time talk. The Waratahs came out breathing fire in the second half and blew the opposition off the park.
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The G&GR MOTM
You could name any one of ten for the MoM. Its out of Kepu, Potgeiter, Hoiles, Hooper, Phipps, Foley, Beale, Horne, Alofa or Folau. Give it to Beale over Foley.
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Wallaby watch
How I regret Alofa’s going to France. On today’s performance he would go straight into the squad to replace the Badger, with AAC replacing Kuridrani and Speight on the other wing.
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The Details
Crowd: 24,500
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Waratahs: 44
Tries: Horne, Folau, Kepu, Phipps, Potgeiter, Naiyaravoro
Conversions: Foley 4/6
Penalties: Foley 2/2 [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Highlanders: 16
Tries: Burleigh
Conversions: Parker 1/1
Penalties: Sopoanga 3/4 [/one_half]
Cards & citings
Yellow card: A. Smith
 Front page photo by A. KnightÂ
