Super Rugby kicked off in Sydney for 2014 on a sunny Sunday afternoon, with the traditional ‘East side vs West side’ derby between the Waratahs and Force.
The Match
Photos courtesy of AJF Photography
The Waratahs started their season on the strongest possible note, with a try after just 63 seconds to Israel Folau after some great hands from Kurtley Beale and Alofa Alofa. Would this frenetic, high-skill action continue? Not really, but the Force worked their way back into the contest nicely and were rewarded with a penalty goal to Zac Holmes. The early season rust was showing, and both teams struggled to find their attacking mojo. Plenty of passes went to ground, and the penalty count was high.
The Tahs had the better of the first 20 minutes, but struggled to convert after their early score. But they soon found a crack, with a lovely Nick Phipps dart putting Wycliff Palu in a hole, and the big man offloaded nicely to Folau who was over for his second and the score was 15-3. The Force wouldn’t lie down, though, and Nick Cummins registered their first try of the season from close range after a nice pass from Mathewson.
With time winding down, the Tahs received a midfield penalty and decided to take a shot at goal. Foley’s attempt ricoched off the right-hand upright, and took two devilish bounces to evade the Force defenders and fall into the arms of Alofa, who dotted the ball down to score his first try of the season. Foley added the extras, and the teams went to the sheds with the Tahs up 22-11.
The Force came out firing in the second half, and spent the first ten minutes hot on attack. Unfortunately they couldn’t crack the Waratah line in that time, even with a man advantage after Paddy Ryan was sent to the bin for repeated infringements. The Tahs indiscipline was giving the Westerners a sniff, but they couldn’t get the job done- their play was static and predictable. As soon as Ryan returned, the wheels began to turn again for the home side, and Kane Douglas scored soonafter. The try was the end product of good lead-up work from the whole side – the men in blue were beginning to show some encouraging signs.
Up 29-14 the Tahs looked unstoppable, but a spilled ball was pounced on by the Honey Badger, and his downfield kick resulted in a try against the run of play to Kyle Godwin. But that score was soon cancelled out by a similar long-range effort from the Tahs, with substitute Matt Carraro making a 50m break and producing a beautiful offload to put Folau over in the corner for his third. Kurtley Beale touched down soonafter thanks to a nice backline set-play, and the die was cast. 43-21 to the Waratahs, which would be the final score.
For the Force it was same old, same old. Good play in tight, and a solid physical presence across the field, but their backline was virtually non-existant and you have to wonder how they will break the line this year. Ben McCalman was a standout, as was Sam Wykes and Matt Hodgson. But the early signs suggest this won’t be the drought-breaking year some out west had hoped.
The Waratahs looked pretty bloody good, in patches anyway. The handling was poor at times, and the quality of the oppoosition may well have been dubious, but when the forwards produced quick, clean ball they produced some lovely rugby. Nick Phipps had a great game and looks a quality purchase, his service was fast and accurate. The outside backs also fired – AAC was industrious, Alofa electric and Folau was, well, Folau. Paddy Ryan and Cliff Palu both had belters in the pack, and Kane Douglas was also a standout.
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The Game Changer
Paddy Ryan returning to the field in the 55th minute, with the Force only adding 3 points in the preceding ten minutes. The visitors had every chance to get back into the game in that time, but couldn’t convert. With Ryan back it was curtains.
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The G&GR MOTM
Plenty of options out wide, but I am shunning them to reward a forward, Wycliff Palu. Big Cliff had a barnstormer, getting the Tahs on the front foot and giving the backs clean, quick ball to play with.
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Wallaby watch
I thought Paddy Ryan really put his hand up in this game, as did Ben McCalman. Kyle Godwin showed some nice touches but never had the time or space to really show what he’s made of. Let’s hope that isn’t the story of his season.
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The Details
Crowd:
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Waratahs 43
Tries: Folau 3, Alofa, Douglas, Beale
Conversions: Foley 5
Penalties: Foley[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Force 21
Tries: Cummins, Godwin
Conversions: Holmes
Penalties: Holmes 3[/one_half]
Cards & citings
Paddy Ryan (repeated team infringements)
