NSW I 54 — Victoria 17
by “Lee Grant”
NSW I were the highest ranked team in Pool B and lived up to the rating.
After they went into a commanding lead against a nervous looking Victorian side the Vic lads settled down and played a fine second half.
First half
This was a Rocky Horror show for the visitors to Sydney.
NSW scored seven tries to one before oranges and the first was when 8 Angus Crichton charged through before passing to 15 Guy Porter to score. 10 Connor O’Shea converted but it was to be their only conversion of the half in the windy conditions.
NSW were in the Vic 22 soon after. Crichton was involved again and so was the punishing THP Vunipola Fifita. 13. Henry Hutchison attracted defenders and crafted a just-in-time pass to 12 Luke Lough for the try: 12-0.
Then Hutchinson fielded a difficult ball and passed to Porter who slipped the pill to 14 Connor Watson. Over 17-0.
It looked all too easy for NSW as the Victorian boys were on the heels on defence and reacting.
Worse happenened when NSW lock Andrew Vatuvei wandered through traffic and found nothing but grass in front to stop him. NSW were ahead 22-0 after 13 minutes.
Victoria could not get into NSW real estate and after they restarted play they seemed to be right back in their half again.
Porter got a wide pass about 40 metres out and he smoked them: 27-0.
When Victoria had the ball near half-way they turned the ball over. Crichton passed wide to 11 Sepesa Loga-Tarogi who sprinted down his wing: 32-0 at 25 minutes.
Next came a soft try to O’Shea. It was easy to convert, but even that kick missed.
Then came Victoria’s only good moment of the half. After a few passes stuck for a change 12 Leighton Short charged and reserve winger Brandford Fisher progressed. There was a pile of bodies and reserve forward Malakai Chan Boon was awarded the try. They couldn’t nail a conversion either.
Half-time score 37-5 to NSW I.
Victoria couldn’t get possession of the ball too often, and when they did their ball handling was below average. On defence their shape was destroyed by NSW breakouts after the local forwards dominated the rucks.
Second half
It looked like same old story, different half, when NSW got a tighthead scrum in the Vic 22 and reserve back Sione Afu strolled over: 42-5.
But the scoring was even thereafter. Victoria had experienced half a game of playing together and were combining better now.
After Vatuvei got a yellow card Ikapote Tupai scored the second try for the Vics after a tap and go. 9 Mathew Euese converted 42-12.
Crichton replied at the other end with a splendid individual effort and 9 Harrison Goddard was able to convert this time: 49-12.
Victoria had the better of play at he end of the game and for some portion of the second half in total.
They scored their third try when 5 William Coten grounded the ball after a pick and go, but NSW had some pizzaz left in them and Hutchinson and Watson combined in a dynamic duo for Hutchinson to score.
Final score 54-17 to NSW I.
The players
NSW
In the pack, hooker Ed Craig, THP Vunipola Fifita and no. 8 Angus Crichton had outstanding games. As was the case with Mafi of Queensland I—Fifita and Crichton looked like senior players.
The outside backs were dangerous as both individuals and in concert with each other. 13. Henry Hutchison, 14 Connor Watson and 15 Guy Porter were often lethal when they had chances and if they didn’t, they tended to create them. The ball did not get to 11 Sepesa Loga-Tarogi as often but he was hard to contain also when it did.
Victoria
It was harder to judge the Southerners because they were putting out fires for two-thirds of the game, but 12 Sione Tuipulotu broke the line a couple of times and did the work to start the first try.
Scrumhalf Matthew Euse cleared the ruck and scrum well when it was possible and no. 4 William Coten was a workhosre all day.
The Wrap-up
NSW I will be hard to toss in Pool B but their kicking from the tee was sub-standard even taking into account the windy conditions.
Victoria will be better for the run.
The Scoring
NSW I 54 (Porter 2, L. Lough, C. Watson, A. Vatuvei, S. Loga-Tarogi, S. Afu, A. Crichton, H. Hutchison; C. O’Shea try, con; H. Goddard con) def. Victoria 17 (M Chan Boon, I. Tupai, W. Coten tries, M. Euse con)
Round One Wrap up
It was a typical opening day of the National Championships with the boys playing together for the first time and combinations lacking.
It would have been better had there been not so much wind because too many long passes left cold hands too often, when shorter passes were the way to go. The lineouts were a lottery also and one didn’t envy the job that the hookers had to do.
NSW I perhaps had the nod over Queensland I on the day but both NSW II and Queensland II were fortunate to get their wins.
Photos by Lee Grant
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