It was heartbreak for the Waratahs, going down by one point in yet another thriller against the Highlanders, 18-17.
The Highlanders played a brutally physical style which wore down the Waratahs gradually, and they asserted their dominance in the final half hour. The Tahs fought manly but just couldn’t get there in the end. Once again injuries will be a worry, with Pat McCutcheon clearly out for a very long time, and others nursing various ailements.
The Waratahs started very well, dominating the early stanza in possession if not territory. Hangers potted a long range penalty to open the scoring, then added another in the 13thminute to take the score to 6-0. The Highlanders hit back soon after with a try to Aaron Smith after a nice offload from Lima Sopoaga close to the line. A basic missed tackle from Dave Dennis didn’t help things, nor did the couple of penalties conceded by the Tahs in the leadup. The Highlanders began to get on top in what was turning into a brutally physical encounter. Bryce Lawrence was blowing his whistle like it was his last game in the middle (which is a long unfulfilled fantasy of mine. Not the penalties, more Bryce’s last game. It will happen someday surely) and the Highlanders were doing their best to fritter away good attacking opportunities. The Tahs scrapped well though, and Hangers put another 3 on the board late, however that was matched by Colin Slade after the half time hooter to take the Clan to the sheds only 1 point behind with the score at 9-8 to the visitors.
The second half started in the best possible fashion for the Tahs with Pat McCutcheon scoring a charge-down try next to the sticks just five minutes in. The ecstasy quickly turned to agony though with Cutch stretchered off the field after seemingly breaking his leg in the act of scoring the try. The agony quickly turned to devastation with Hangers missing the conversion from right in front. The Highlanders didn’t let the try get to them though, and hit back shortly after with a try to their own by John Hardie. Slade potted the conversion from out wide and the score was 15-14 to the Clan. Hangers hit back with a quick penalty, but the Highlanders were outmuscling the Tahs at every ruck, hurling themselves in to every contest in large numbers. The brutal tactics of the Clan were taking it’s toll on the Tahs, and Colin Slade kicked the home team ahead 18-17 with 15 to play. That was the way it finished, with the Tahs falling short yet again.
Jeez it was a brutal game, and the Tahs forward pack stood up pretty well. Dave Dennis worked tirelessly, while I was really impressed with the subs, particularly Lopeti Timani and Jono Jenkins. In the backline Hangers played well while Pretorius had another solid game. Kingston had some magic moments but also made a few poor decisions which cost the Tahs. Berrick came back pretty well and had some assured touches.
Bryce Lawrence was fucking appalling, and how this bloke is allowed to ref major matches any more is totally beyond me. The ruck was an absolute clusterfuck with both teams flying off their feet at every breakdown. His decisions as always were totally random and the Tahs got the raw end of it more often than not. Good referees create good games, and this was a dirty, scrappy slog. Quite simply he has to go. I’m not suggesting the Tahs would have won with a different ref, or that Bryce was the reason we lost. The Highlanders were the better team on the day. But Bryce needs to pack his bags.
In the end the Tahs couldn’t quite get there, and will be ruing a few mistakes which ultimately cost them dearly. Credit to the Highlanders though who continue their run of great form and have established themselves as definite long term contenders in 2012.
What were your thoughts?
