NSW Waratahs’ tough fight not enough as Brumbies hold on to win by six

Apr 16 • General News, Super Rugby • 1249 Views • Comments Off on NSW Waratahs’ tough fight not enough as Brumbies hold on to win by six

The NSW Waratahs have gone down to the Brumbies by 26 points to 20 in round eight at Allianz Stadium tonight.
A roaring home crowd of 25,319 watched on as the Waratahs and Brumbies went head-to-head in a typically tough local derby, which saw NSW almost capture the win in the final minutes.

New look Waratahs’ outside-centre Israel Folau was brought from the field after a head knock inside the first minute, in what was his first touch of the ball. He managed to win his side an early penalty with the Brumbies called up for not rolling away, but Bernard Foley was unable to take the first points.

A switch back to the right from the Brumbies, and rush up defence from the Waratahs allowed fullback Aidan Toua to draw two defenders and pass to his winger Joe Tomane, who scored the first try of the night. Christian Lealiifano added the extras to take a 7-0 lead.

Loosehead prop, Benn Robinson was the brought from the field with an eye injury, bringing substitute Paddy Ryan onto the field after 10 minutes of action. He made an instant impact, helping his pack win a scrum against the feed.

The Tahs began to spread their wings in attack following the scrum but were unable to hold onto the ball. Using the advantage wisely, the Brumbies once again found Tomane who darted down the sideline through the Tahs’ defence to dot the ball over the line for his second. Lealiifano, unsuccessful with the conversion this time, left the scores at 12-0.

Prop Tom Robertson, looking promising in his starting debut, made a fine break but a dropped pass stopped the Tahs’ momentum in its tracks. Gaining possession back shortly after, some quick hands from Folau, and a great offload from Will Skelton set up the their first five pointer of the match. Skelton’s ball found Jed Holloway who, making a name for himself as a standout ball runner, gained some impressive metres. With speedster, Reece Robinson at his side, the Tahs were over for the former NRL star’s debut Super Rugby try.

Bernard Foley nailed his first conversion, bringing the scores to 7 points to 12 to the Brumbies.

The Tahs regathered in attack again and, with some quality running from Kurtley Beale and Matt Carraro, they pushed back the Brumbies’ defence. Hugh Roach and Team Captain, Michael Hooper were good in support, before Brumbies’ scrumhalf, Tomas Cubelli was penalised for a dangerous tackle. Foley struck the penalty nicely bringing the Tahs just two behind almost half an hour into the match.

Beale was at his brilliant best, breaking through the Brumbies’ line with some fancy footwork, before getting a beautiful pass away to fullback Andrew Kellaway. Making his run-on debut for the Waratahs, Kellaway drew his opposite number, Aidan Toua before passing to Folau who scored in the corner. Folau’s resulting five-pointer for the Tahs, his 29^th, saw him become equal highest try scorer for NSW, together with Lote Tuqiri.

Foley converted again, bringing his side in front by 17-12.

The Brumbies soon hit back and, with their signature rolling maul, crossed for another through Captain Stephen Moore just four minutes prior to the break. Lealiifano brought the Brumbies in front again with the kick, leaving the Tahs trailing by two at 17-19.

Keen to match try for try, the Waratahs were back on the front foot again in attack thanks to some effective offloads and running, again inspired by Beale. A long pass almost found Carraro out wide on the wing but the Tahs were unable to find a try before the break, the scores remaining 17-19 to the visitors.

A well-placed kick from the Brumbies put pressure on the Waratahs early again in the second half. The Tahs managed to get it away however. Keen in attack, Hugh Roach was put down with a high shot from Rory Arnold, Foley kicking into touch, handing NSW another opportunity to run.

Handing away a couple of penalties, the Waratahs were pushed again on their line before Cubelli, collecting the ball from the breakdown, found fullback, Toua who passed to Tomane for a hat-trick. The Brumbies pushing their lead out to 26-17.

Nick Phipps kicked to find Reece Robinson but gave it too much muscle as the ball soared out on the full. Winning back the territory, the Brumbies formed yet another rolling maul on the Waratahs’ line, resulting in a scrum just five metres out.

The Tahs once again managed to shift the momentum however, working their way deep into the Brumbies’ territory, the crowd growing more vocal as the Brums were penalised for holding the man up.

Both sides spent the next few phases fighting for possession, as a couple of wayward balls and misplaced kicks denied either from scoring points. Fresh legs were called for as the game came down to a real tussle with almost ten minutes to go.

Replacement, Wycliff Palu was then given 10 on the side, the TMO deeming dangerous contact in the ruck.

The yellow card was out again just minutes later. This time it was for Brumbies’ open-side flanker Jarrad Butler at the breakdown. With the penalty successful from Foley, the Waratahs were behind by six points, with two minutes remaining.

With both sides now down a man, the Brumbies were thrice pulled up at the breakdown, allowing Foley to kick into touch and gain some last-minute territory, making for some thrilling watching in the dying moments of the match.

The Tahs tried as much as they could to steal the game at the death as the siren sounded. But it wasn’t to be with a final knock-on sealing their fate, leaving the final victory to the Brumbies by 20-26.

The NSW Waratahs will head to Perth next week to play the Western Force in round nine on Saturday 23rd April.