In what was the epitome of a game of two halves, the Highlanders have taken out a close match against the Waratahs.
There was a lot of hype pre-match about this being a “grudge match” and a chance for the Waratahs to get revenge for the semi-final loss last year, but all that was forgotten in the drama at Allianz Stadium..
First Half
At the ten minute mark it was the Highlanders who drew first blood with a set piece play off a line out, with Rob Thompson breaking through the line and offloading to Ryan Tongia who scored the first try of the match. Lima Sopoaga converted to take the score to 7-0.
Seven minutes later Sopoaga slotted a penalty, stretching the lead to 10-0.
The Highlanders continued to assert their dominance, demolishing the Waratahs’ scrum at the 22 minute mark. Sopoaga missed the resulting penalty.
At the 26 minute mark Kurtley Beale missed his second penalty attempt, the score remaining at 10-0.
Two minutes later a knock on by Cliff Palu was recovered by Liam Coltman who quickly offloaded to Liam Squire. He went straight through the attempted tackles of Beale and David Horwitz to cross next to the post. Sopoaga got the extras taking the score to 17-0.
At the 30 minute mark another attacking opportunity for the Waratahs went begging after they were awarded a penalty on half way. Beale kicked for touch but it went dead in goal, bringing the play all the way back to near half way for a Highlanders’ scrum.
A knock-on from Michael Hooper at 35 minutes gave possession back to the Highlanders. Ben Smith chipped the ball through the Waratahs’ line with Faddes chasing and toeing the ball forward for Elliot Dixon to swoop on and dive over the line for the Highlanders third try. Sopoaga missed the conversion, leaving the score at 22-0.
The Waratahs had another attacking opportunity two minutes before the break, going for the line after a penalty. With the maul splintering, Nick Phipps passed to Beale who knocked on five metres out from the line.
With a minute to go the Highlanders had a defensive scrum five metres from the line. Phipps came close to intercepting Aaron Smith’s pass from the back of the scrum, knocking the ball on bringing the first half to a welcome end for the Clan with the score at 22-0.
Second half
Both teams made changes at half time, with Palu being replaced by Jed Holloway, and Ash Dixon replacing Coltman.
The second half looked to bring more grief to the Waratahs, with a knock on and pass out over the sideline in successive attacking opportunities handing the ball back to the Highlanders.
There were ominous signs with the Highlanders making another run, but they butchered a certain try with a forward pass. Moments later they regained possession, with Sopoaga putting in a cross field kick. Dixon stole the ball from Zac Guildford and ran over the line for the Highlanders fourth try, taking the score to 27-0. The conversion was missed.
At 54 minutes the score went out to 30-0 when Sopoaga slotted a field goal, continuing the dream run of the Highlanders .
The Waratahs made several changes before the restart, with Tolu Latu, Will Skelton, Dave Dennis and Carraro, being replaced by Hugh Roach, Sam Lousi, Jack Dempsey and Reece Robinson.
Soon after Israel Folau recovered a chip kick and got the ball away to Guildford who broke through the defence. The Waratahs maintained the attack through five phases, before a short ball from Phipps put Holloway through a gap for a try, finally breaking the drought for the Waratahs. Beale converted, making the score 30-7.
A break from Hooper at 64 minutes, put the Waratahs in a good attacking position, with a short ball from Beale to Holloway giving him his second try and taking the score to 30-12. Beale missing the conversion.
Almost immediately debutant Tom Robertson scored his first-ever try minutes after coming on the field, when he picked up a ball from what looked to be an offside position. Beale converted narrowing the gap to 30-19.
Momentum had clearly swung the Waratahs’ way, with the bench players providing much needed impact. With the Waratahs strong on attack again, Beale and Robinson combined to take the ball towards the 22.
A breakdown penalty against the Highlanders gave the Waratahs a lineout five metres out, with a rolling maul getting the Tahs over the line. The TMO ruled in favour of the attacking team, with Holloway eventually named as try scorer (his hat-trick). A successful conversion made the score 30-26 to the Highlanders.
The Highlanders showed their composure in the last five minutes, repelling a concerted Waratahs’ attack. They used their experience to wind down the clock, denying the Tahs the fairy tale ending to what was an amazing comeback.
The next generation of Tahs players definitely put their hands up tonight as the way of the future for the club. It was a clear signal of the changing of the guard.
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
The substitution of Palu for Holloway at half time had a big impact on the game.
The substitutions at the 54th minute, bringing on the next generation of Tahs seemed to lift the team and ignited the attack.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Nick Phipps had a solid game and tried his heart out, giving everything and was pretty much everywhere across the park. Honourable mention to Jed Holloway who managed to be in the right place at the right time, and Beale who despite his errors helped ignite the attack.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
Phipps proved why he is the favoured to be the Wallaby 9: he matched up well against Smith and showed his never say die attitude. Beale showed glimpses of his attacking brilliance but errors are still a concern.[/one_third]
The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]
Waratahs: 26
Tries: J. Holloway (56), J. Holloway (65), T. Robertson (68), J. Holloway (72)
Conversions: K. Beale 3/4
Penalties: K. Beale 0/2
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Highlanders: 30
Tries: R. Tongia (11), L. Squire (29), E. Dixon (36), E. Dixon (47)
Conversions: L. Sopoaga 2/4
Penalties: L. Sopoaga 1/1
Field Goals: L. Sopoaga 1/1
[/one_half]
CARDS & CITINGS
Nil
Photo credit – All Photos by Peter Mitchell – Thank you
