The Rebels returned home from their first overseas win, against the Crusaders, 2014 Super Rugby finalists, and were determined to knock off last year’s champions, the Waratahs, as well.
The visitors were embarrassed in Sydney last week by a tough Western Force outfit and had to get their season going.
Waratahs 38 – Rebels 28
The pitch was in brilliant condition from being prepared for the Asian Cup football matches but the humidity did not help the ball handling of either side.
First Half
A ruck penalty against the Rebels allowed Foley to open an early lead in the 4th minute.
The Rebels started the match targeting key NSW players. Polota-Nau, Skelton and Potgieter all came in for brutal tackles whenever they carried. (Not that it made much of a dint in the big South African, who continued his usual demonic possession approach to rugby.) Beale was on the receiving end of a barrage of high kicks, some of which paid dividends.
Skelton made a lazy attempt to tackle Higginbotham, with the Rebels captain brushing him aside to score the opening try in the 11th minute. Harris converted for a 7-3 lead.
Scott Higginbotham – brushed Skelton aside to score
Under penalty advantage Beale then showed some of his magic touch with a chip and regather before passing to the charging Hoiles, who completed the try. Even as a Rebels fan it was good to see KB taking his chances, particularly in the ‘correct’ occasions (i.e. on attack and with momentum, not as a last resort/brainfart). Foley converted for 7-10.
Beale extended the lead with a long-range penalty in the 27th minute. 7-13.
My notes at this stage included the following: “Timani destroying men. Fear TPN dead…” Obviously a bit of hyperbole but Timani Jnr was lethal.
Foley adding another three points soon after. 7-16.
At this stage it was looking dire for the home team, with two promising attacks snuffed out through fumbles and poor handling, but to their credit they found a way to get back on the scoreboard.
A Waratahs scrum in the 42nd minute, deep in Rebels territory was smashed and the resulting phase saw Timani crash over from short range. Harris’ conversion saw the gap closed to 14-16 at half time.
Lopeti Timani – scored after the hooter for half time
Second half
The Waratahs were gifted field position from a Rebels miscommunication in defence allowing Beale to skip through a giant gap and bring his team onto attack. Naiyaravoro finished the smooth move, crossing in the corner. Foley converted for a 14-23 lead.
The Rebels started a period of well constructed attack and repeatedly pressured the Tah’s line. A number of cynical penalties saw the Rebels receive an attacking scrum, with a well-worked move off the back from Higginbotham and Burgess resulting in a try to the scrumhalf. Harris converted for 21-23.
Naiyaravoro crossed later, as did Naivalu for the Rebels, but arguably the most spectacular effort came from a Waratahs set piece, with the straight-running Foley sending Beale over for a typically joyous try and celebration.
Taqele Naiyarvoro – scored two tries and one silly yellow card
A late penalty for a shoulder charge saw Foley ice the match for a final score of 28-38.
While the Rebels should rightly be disappointed with the defeat, there were a number of very encouraging signs to take from the match. Lopeti Timani continued his devastating form from the NPC and last round, scoring a bustling try and assuming the role of hitman for the home team.
His brutal efforts on Polotu-Nau and Skelton were heard and felt in the stands. The Rebels scrum was dominant, forcing penalties and two tightheads from what was essentially a Wallabies Probables pack. Great signs for McGahan.
The Tahs’ attacking structures took a bit of time to fire but when they clicked they were devastating. Naiyaravoro’s second try was particularly unstoppable, with the giant winger benefiting from some well-executed ball movement from sideline to sideline, stretching the Rebels beyond their limits.
In the opinion of this monocular fan the referee had a ‘mare, blasting the home side with a few baffling decisions. His call to end the Rebels’ advantage when they seemed unstoppable was utterly brainless.
The Wrap Up
The NSW Waratahs showed glimpses of their devastating 2014 form, but for a team that had the second lowest number of tries scored against them last year, their defence is rocky. Both the Force and the Rebels have have scored four tries against them to earn bonus points.
It wasn’t to be for the improved Rebels outfit, with key lapses in concentration cruelling a number of attacking opportunities and missed tackles featuring prominently in the lead up to two Waratah tries.
There were positives for both teams and enough for fans to be excited about for the coming season.
Man of the match Michael Hooper – has the master’s playbook
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The Game Changer
Foley and Beale’s effort late in the second half killed off any hope of a Rebels resurgence.
The experienced Waratahs played for field position and were able to close the game out professionally.
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The G&GR MOTM
Timani from the home team was a strong candidate as were Beale and Foley for the visitors. But Michael Hooper was a nuisance in defence and seems to be taking a leaf from the playbook of Sir Richie GOAT at ruck time.
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Wallaby watch
The Rebels front row bested their more vaunted opponents, with all six of them doing the job. Timani was again fantastic with ball in hand and laying the smackdown. The Phipps-Foley-Beale combination is starting to gel again.[/one_third]
The Details
Score & Scorers
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Waratahs – 38
Tries: T. Naiyaravoro (43, 61), S. Hoiles (22), K. Beale (73).
Conversions: B. Foley (23, 44, 75).
Penalties: B. Foley (5, 33, 78), K. Beale (27). [/one_half]
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Rebels – 28
Tries: S. Higginbotham (12), L. Timani (40), L. Burgess (53), S. Naivalu (66).
Conversions: M. Harris (13, 40, 54, 68)
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Cards & citings
Yellow card:
T. Naiyaravoro – Waratahs (66) [/one_half]
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Crowd
a touch under 13,000
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