The NSW Waratahs have won an open encounter with the Sharks in Sydney, winning 33-18.
Photos courtesy of Keith McInnes photography.
The Match
The Waratahs wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with Adam Ashley-Cooper crashing over with just 52 seconds on the clock. The try came after a Michael Hooper break in midfield, with AAC running 20m to score under the posts.
The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides having clear scoring chances. They exchanged penalties in the next fifteen minutes, with Bernard Foley taking advantage of a Waratahs’ scrum penalty a few minutes later to edge the Tahs ahead 13-3 as the half hour mark approached.
The Tahs were getting the rub of the green with referee Hoffman, but unfortunately couldn’t capitalise on any of the chances that this presented. Good runs from Horne, Skelton and Folau went unrewarded, and the Sharks kicked a late penalty to take the game to half time with the score at 13-6 to the home side.
The Waratahs started the second half well, but once again couldn’t capitalise on their chances. A good run from Naiyaravoro got the Tahs well into the Sharks 22, but a Wycliff Palu error saw the Sharks force the Tahs back 40m, win a penalty, and score a try thanks to a brilliant cross-kick from Cronje that caught the Tahs napping on the open side. Steyn was unable to convert, but the Sharks had pegged the margin back to just two points.
This seemed to kick the locals into action. They spurned a kickable penalty to opt for the lineout, and from that set piece they scored in the corner through Naiyaravoro, after simple hands through the backline. But the see-sawing continued, with the Sharks quickly hitting back through Francois Steyn, who scored under the sticks after a half break from Ndungane saw the ball quickly spread on the left hand side.
The game was opening up, with both sides looking good with ball in hand, and equally shithouse in defence. Foley increased the margin to five with a 62nd minute penalty, then five minutes later he kicked straight again, to see the Tahs make their lead even more comfortable.
The luck continued to go the way of the Waratahs, with a Sibusiso Sithole try disallowed by TMO George Ayoub with ten minutes to play, which looked like a pretty fair score. Nevertheless, the Sharks continued to press, capitalising on some sloppy Waratah errors. They mounted phase after phase, but couldn’t crack the solid NSW line.
With time winding down, Bernard Foley put the final nail in the Sharks coffin, capitalising on a soft Cronje knock-on to run 40m and score next to the posts.
Random Observations
The Waratahs showed some really nice patches of play, but unfortunately that’s all they were. It was a good win against decent opposition, but they will rue a few missed opportunities which would have seen them put the game away well before the final ten minutes.
Rohan Hoffman made some very questionable calls, almost all of which fell the way of the Waratahs. The TMO also came down in favour of the home side. You take the luck where you get it, but with a few things called differently you never know who may have come away with the points.
Will Skelton’s maul defence is a thing of beauty. Demolished at least three Sharks mauls, and then capped it off by straight out stealing the ball in the final minutes.
Taqele Naiyarovoro with ball in hand is one of the most exciting sights around, you can hear the crowd gasp whenever he gets the ball. Outside of that he still has a lot of work to do on his game. A shame he is going overseas, as he could really be something special.
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The Game Changer
There were a few big moments, but the decision to disallow Sithole’s try really took the wind out of the Sharks, who were building nicely with ten minutes to go. If that try was awarded then you felt the Sharks may have finished over the top of the Tahs.
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The G&GR MOTM
I’m going to give it to Rob Horne, who I thought was excellent in everything he did. Carried strongly and defended ferociously, he really put his hand up for World Cup selection. Honourable mentions to Bernard Foley and Michael Hooper.
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Wallaby watch
Wycliff Palu rebounded well from a quiet game last week, and turned in a good performance. Kurtley Beale continues to underwhelm, having another disappointing game despite a few nice touches.
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The Details
Crowd: 18,542
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”] Waratahs 33
Tries: Ashley-Cooper, Naiyaravoro, Foley
Conversions: Foley 3
Penalties: Foley 4 [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”] Sharks 18
Tries: Ndungane, Steyn
Conversions: Steyn
Penalties: Steyn 2 [/one_half]
Cards & citings
Nil