NSW Waratahs pipped at the final siren in second trial against the Chiefs
The NSW Waratahs have gone down by 17-12 in their second pre-season trial match for 2016, after the Chiefs scored a last minute try on the final siren in New Zealand this afternoon.
It was another thriller that went down to the wire as the scores remained level at 12 tries a piece for the majority of the game.
The Waratahs started strong, notching the first digits onto the scoreboard just six minutes in thanks to a try from Rob Horne. Despite a missed conversion from Kurtley Beale in the number 10 jersey, the Tahs had the first advantage in the game at 5-0.
The Chiefs held most of the territory but were unable to turn it into points in the first 15 minutes of play.
It wasn’t long, however before they found winger Glen Fisiiahi, who scored from a counter attack in the Chiefs’ own half. Unable to convert their opening try, scores remained drawn at five a piece.
The second quarter began with end to end play; the scores remaining drawn at five-all 25 minutes into the match.
The Chiefs were the first to find the tryline in the second quarter from a midfield scrum.
Their lead was cut short as the Waratahs answered with their own impressive five pointer soon after. Hasty winger, Reece Robinson crossed under the posts with a long range try, which, together with a good conversion from Beale brought the scores level again at 12-all.
Some fairly even play followed, with both teams making plenty of breaks, but lacking the ability to finish it off due to dropped ball.
The NSW scrum dominated towards the back end of the second half but the score remained level at the break.
Both the Waratahs and the Chiefs took the opportunity to utilise their bench resources for the second half as Head Coach Daryl Gibson brought on the likes of Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Ned Hanigan, Bryce Hegarty and Matt Lucas.
The match intensified into a scoreless third quarter, which commenced with a lot of dropped ball and ended with the Waratahs defending ruthlessly on their own line for several phases.
They managed to hold the Chiefs out, though, going into the fourth quarter with the scores still locked at 12 each.
Gibson rang in the changes again at three-quarter time, with Dean Mumm taking the reins as Captain and young guns, Hugh Roach, Senio Toleaofoa, Harry Jones and Jake Gordon added to the mix for the final 20.
Both teams again blew their opportunities in the last piece as they fought to break the 12-all draw. The Chiefs set up camp in the Waratahs’ half but weren’t able to hold the ball long enough to score.
A scrum penalty was awarded in the Tahs’ favour, handing them the chance to take the game into their half in the last moments. But a dropped ball with two minutes left on the clock saw the Chiefs back on the front foot.
It was a game that could have gone either way, with the Waratahs holding on for the majority. But it was the Chiefs who stole it in the nick of time, scoring just as the final siren sounded, handing them the final lead by one try.
Chiefs, 17 (Glen Fisiiahi, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Monty Ioane tries; Charlie Ngatai con) defeated NSW Waratahs, 12 (Rob Horne, Reece Robinson tries; Kurtley Beale con).
The NSW Waratahs’ third and final pre-season trial takes place next Friday 19th February at 4:00pm AEDT in Queenstown New Zealand.
Tickets to the Waratahs’ opening round Super Rugby match against the Queensland Reds at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 27 February are on sale now at www.ticketek.com.au/waratahs.
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