NSW II 33 — Western Australia 7
by “The Spaceman”
After a close and lucky win against ACT on Monday, NSW II was looking for a more impressive hit-out when they went up against Western Australia.
First half
It looked like it could become a blow-out when NSW came out firing with some intense forward phase play and some slick backline moves. Jum Woodhill (20) and Evan Pritchard (2) had some good carries early and fought in the tackle which set up some clean ball for Strang (21). Will McDonnell (22) slotted into flyhalf well at the start and Strang gave him good service.
It became apparent that WA flyhalf Nick Jooste (10) was a classy player with good vision, skills and passing game. Also, there was some good hustle from the WA forward pack with a hard working tight five and Isaac Cavu (8) being a dynamic ball runner.
A tighthead won by NSW saw James Lough (8) release from the base of the ruck, show and go and make a good break down the short side. Shortly after, WA’s Jonathan Savea (13) showed his defensive skills, putting a big hit on the NSW I hooker.
Around 20 minutes in, WA had a scrum on the NSW 22 and Jooste got the ball on the short side and slid straight through to score after committing defenders through a dummy switch. Jooste converted his own try to make the score at 20 minutes 7-0 to WA.
Duffy replaced Strang at halfback, which in my eyes turned the game. He stood up today, zipping around to seemingly every ruck and giving great service, his passing was exceptional.
Good pressure from NSW had the ball ten metres from the WA line. There followed a good move from three Joey’s boys as the ball went from Duffy to McDonnell and then to the straightening winger Thomas Wright, who scored.
The conversion missed; so at half-time the score was 7-5 to WA.
Second half
Duffy and Wright continued to be the form players as NSW started the half with renewed intensity. NSW’s 7, Declan Moore, started to play well, spotting a good hole after a one out play from a ruck 5m out, another simple try.
12-7 to NSW
NSW continued to play better after the break. There were notable moments from James Lough (8) with a great pilfer and also Wright with a monster of a penalty kick touch-finder. Kennewell (13) had been quiet all match and it was interesting to see how he coped against a defence that constantly shut him down.
NSW then scored another simple try off a rolling maul from a five-metre lineout. It was a good set piece move with 3, Jakob Sedgman, peeling off the maul and scoring on the short side. 19-7 to NSW.
WA capitalised with a fine backline move, Jooste getting a good ball from his halfback before giving a flat pill to his inside centre Short who gave a pearler of an inside ball to a fast running Uyen (14). Breaking the defensive line, Uyen was cut down by Wright who then got to his feet to make the pilfer and draw the penalty. It was outstanding play all round.
It was almost as if that was WA’s last-ditch effort, with some sustained pressure by NSW closing out the match.
Hooker Pritchard had broke down the short side, with a few steps and a show and go slicing apart the WA defense. This lead to a prolonged period of NSW attacking pressure, forcing WA’s Cavu to be sent to the bin for repeated infringements.
A scrum ensued, and when McDonnell drew the defence he sent a looping pass over to the Sam Renton (10) who strode over. NSW 26-WA 7.
The game opened up for NSW after that despite WA forwards like LHP Lorenzo Mario playing hard. Wright made one of is signature breaks from his own 22, showing top speed and footwork only to be cut down by Cudd (15) over the halfway mark.
Renton then shifted into the fly half position with McDonnell going to outside centre. This proved a good move shortly after with Renton scoring his second try at the death through a simple backline move.
33-7 to NSW at fulltime.
The Players
WA
3 Points: Nick Jooste
2 Points: Kauri Cudd (15)
Dangerous with ball in hand, and looked solid at the back in defence.
1 Point: Cavu (8)
Solid player, good ball runner and good work ethic.
NSW
3 Points: Nick Duffy (9)
Changed the game when he came on. While he doesn’t do anything flashy or amazing, he is quick to each ruck and I couldn’t fault his service all day.
2 Points: Evan Pritchard (2)
Definitely the stand out hooker of the games that I watched, looked good with ball in hand and also was good in close in defence.
1 Point: Thomas Wright
Giving him points on potential, would’ve loved to see him play fullback to get his hands on the ball a bit more, so dangerous in open space.
The Scoring
NSW II 33 (S. Renton 2, T. Wright, D. Moore, J. Sedgman tries; Renton 4 cons) def WA 7 (N. Jooste try, con)
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