NSW Waratahs defeat Queensland Reds in Brisbane

Mar 8 • General News, Super Rugby • 1511 Views • Comments Off on NSW Waratahs defeat Queensland Reds in Brisbane

The NSW Waratahs have defeated arch rivals the Queensland Reds 23-5 on Saturday night after a grinding, physical encounter in Brisbane.

The victory means that the Bob Templeton Cup-the trophy competed for between the two states-has returned to NSW for another year.

Steeped in history the Cup is the embodiment of a 133 year history of Rugby between the two states.

The two try to one win ensures that the Waratahs take four points from the match as the side looks to move up the Asteron Life Super Rugby ladder.

The Waratahs head to New Zealand next round to take on the in-form Highlanders.

THE MATCH
The Waratahs placed pressure on the Reds in the early stages of the match but dropped ball cost the Waratahs the ability to place more pressure on the scrambling Queensland defence.

The Waratahs scrum proved to be a great weapon for the men in blue as the superior weighted pack began their domination of their Queensland opponents in the first ten minutes of the match-an advantage that would continue to aid the Waratahs for the entirety of the game.

The first points of the match came through the boot of Bernard Foley after another collapse by the Reds at the scrum allowed Foley to give NSW a 3-0 lead.

Israel Folau continued to dart and weave through the Queensland defence with some excellent runs in the first 20 minutes of the match, taking the role of vice captaincy of his state in his stride.

The Waratahs continued to exert pressure on the Reds who struggled for consistent possession in the Waratahs half, with only handling errors preventing the Waratahs from taking further advantage.

Bernard Foley’s second penalty came just over quarter way through the match, taking the score to 6-0.

The Reds defence was tested moments later when some great vision from centre, Kurtley Beale provided the platform for a great Waratahs try.

The ball moved between Israel Folau to Matt Carraro, drawing in the Reds defence, to put Bernard Foley over for the first try of the match.

The successful conversion took the Waratahs lead to 13-0.

The Queensland Reds had one last chance to register points in the first half as they had a rare attack on the Waratahs line with seconds to spare before the half time interval.

It was the defence from the men in blue that prevented a Queensland try and a missed conversion from Reds fullback, James O’Connor left the score 13-0 in favour of the Waratahs at halftime.

The second half continued much the same as the first as the Reds struggled against to gain momentum in the face of the Waratahs defence.

Captain, Dave Dennis continued to be a stand out in defence but it was Benn Robinson in his 137th game that continued to be a powerhouse in defence accumulating eight tries by the 50th minute.

Robinson’s cap makes him the most capped player to have ever played for NSW, surpassing former Waratahs captain, Phil Waugh.

The Waratahs pounded the Reds line as Queensland was unable to keep hold off possession in their own half. With a penalty for a breakdown infringement, Bernard Foley easily converted the gift three points to take the score to 16-0 in favour of NSW.

Queensland had the best opportunity for points in the 56th minute when referee Glen Jackson sent Tatafu Polota-Nau to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle at the line out-reducing NSW to 14 men.

The Waratahs defence placed pressure on Queensland, allowing NSW to clean their lines after a forward pass.

As the last quarter of the match passed, the Waratahs looked to step up the intensity and a fantastic 70 metre try from winger, Peter Betham created a sense of urgency for the Waratahs attack.

Bernard Foley put further pressure on the Queensland Reds with his second successful conversion taking the score to 23-0 in favour of NSW.

An injury to former NSW Waratah, Lachlan Turner slowed the game momentarily as concern was shared from both teams for the fallen player.

A daring raid from the NSW backs almost allowed for a third NSW try but desperate defence from former All Black Adam Thomson prevented the try.

In the dying stages of the match the Reds throw everything they had left at the Waratahs and with a vocal home crowd behind them Kotze scored in the corner to take the score to 23-5.

The unsuccessful conversion from Queensland left the final score at 23-5 giving the Waratahs their second win of the 2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby season.

NSW Waratahs 23 (Bernard Foley, Peter Betham tries; Bernard Foley 2 cons; Bernard Foley 3 pens) defeated the Queensland Reds 5 (M Kotze tries;)