NSW Waratahs secure triumphant 30-32 victory over the Stormers in South Africa
The NSW Waratahs have secured a stunning 30-32 away victory over the Stormers in round ten of Super Rugby at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa.
It was a crucial win for the Waratahs who put together a spirited display to seal the game within the final moments of the game. The four-try to three encounter saw team Captain Michael Hooper awarded for his Man of the Match performance in what was Club Captain, Dave Dennis’ 100th Super Rugby game.
The game started on a physical note with the Waratahs showing some good tackling early on in the piece. Despite conceding two penalties at the breakdown, the Tahs were let off with both attempts at goal unsuccessful by Stormers flyhalf, Jean-Luc du Plessis.
The home side applied the pressure in attack but the Waratahs managed to turn it around with Kurtley Beale gaining ground. Some nice running from the inside centre saw him cross for the Waratahs’ first try. The five-pointer was set up through a good offload from Will Skelton to Bernard Foley who, dummying, got it cleanly to Beale to dot the ball over the line.
Foley was also unable to guide the ball through the sticks, leaving the Waratahs with the initial lead at 5 – 0.
The two sides opted for the boot to gain territory, but lost ball and ensuing scrambling defence denied both from getting anywhere in the next few phases. The home side gained the upper hand however, using their forwards to send Schalk Burger diving through under the posts. The conversion successful brought the Stormers into the lead by 7 points to 5.
The Stormers were called up soon after for being offside under a high ball, but Foley was unable to gain the points. The Tahs regathered, with Israel Folau again showing his attacking prowess at outside centre. Despite being marked by two defenders, he managed to offload nicely to Andrew Kellaway who found Jed Holloway, the starting number eight continuing to prove his ability as a strong ball runner.
Stormers co-Captain, Juan de Jongh showed his side too had the ability with ball in hand, bursting down the sideline. Rob Horne was able to bring the man down, the home side with the favourable figures in possession at 22 minutes in.
The Stormers continued to apply the pressure through their running with Pieter-Steph du Toit making a clean break through the Waratahs defence. Combined with some magic from their fullback, Cheslin Kolbe, the ball found its way back to du Toit who crossed for the Stormers’ second try.
The Waratahs’ scrum looked shaky half an hour into the match, the home side capitalising as NSW were penalised for not rolling away. Tatafu Polota-Nau was brought on in the 32nd minute for Hugh Roach as snapshots of the Waratahs backline began to shine through as they started to gain back possession.
Foley continued to put the ball onto the toe as he looked for further territory, but it was his pass that helped set up the next points for the Waratahs, finding an in-flight Folau who hit the line beautifully for his 31st Super Rugby try.
Foley’s conversion was good this time, bringing the Waratahs two behind with less than a minute left in the first half. Despite their intent to score again as the siren sounded, the Waratahs went to the break down by 14-12 with two tries a piece.
An early line break from Holloway a minute into the second half sparked the Tahs in attack. Stormers’ try-scorer, Burger managed to turn it over before the ball was sent down just short of the Tahs 22. The ball was collected by team Captain, Michael Hooper whose work rate was typically unrelenting all night. Reece Robinson lost it forward bringing the first scrum of the second half.
It was a much better scrummaging effort from the Tahs, but it popped out the back for the Stormers as the Waratahs stayed strong in defence. The home side earning a penalty at the breakdown saw emotions run high. du Plessis was the first to add the points to the board in the second half, with the Stormers extending their lead by 17 – 12.
The two teams traded penalties for the majority of the second half, Foley bringing the Tahs within two again moments later with the Stormers losing their footing. The two flyhalves managed to gain another extra three each for their sides through penalties, bringing the score to 20-18 to the Stormers.
The next penalty was a little more serious as Leolin Zas was shown a red card in a contest for the high ball with Foley. Despite Zas slipping, referee Mike Fraser deemed it dangerous, suggesting the Stormers’ winger wasn’t in a position to catch the high ball.
The home side down a man, emotions continued to run high as they conceded a penalty soon after. Foley’s kick slipped outside, leaving the scores as they were at 20-18.
The Tahs looked keen in attack as both sides continued to use kicking to gain the advantage. A lineout steal saw the Stormers collect it for a moment before the Tahs counter-rucked. Will Skelton, who had been powerful at the breakdown all game, helped to get it back, but the Tahs knocked it on as the Stormers took to their bench for replacements.
Settling into a scrum, the new men for the Stormers earned their side another penalty, du Plessis bringing them further ahead by 23-18 as the game started getting away from the visitors.
The Waratahs regathered their attack as they too looked to the bench for replacements. Beale, again impressive, found a gap through the defensive line as the Tahs looked to get back on the front foot.
A wide ball to Matt Carraro saw the Waratahs press down the sideline and, with an inside ball from speedster Reece Robinson, Rob Horne was over for his second try in as many matches after recently returning from injury. It was welcome relief for the Tahs as they found themselves ahead by 25-23 at the 67 minute mark.
A charge down from a Reece Robinson kick saw the Stormers gain possession back quickly. Kolbe took a clean ball but was penalised, giving the Tahs another opportunity to clear. The kick from Foley didn’t find touch though.
Retrieving the ball, Foley opted to run this time, finding Beale who partnered with him in gaining metres. The Stormers turned it over as both teams continued to bring on reserves, with Wycliff Palu and Matt Lucas entering the game for NSW with ten to go.
The home side gained the momentum from that point, the crowd growing more vocal as they pressed the Tahs’ line. Some quick passing by the Stormers backline led to a du Toit double and with du Plessis on target, they were ahead by 30-25.
Jeremy Tilse and Angus Ta’avao were subbed on as the clock ticked down. Beale fired again with some more brilliant running to bring his teammates agonisingly close. A knock on from the Waratahs, denying them a try, forced them into a scrum right on the Stormers’ line as the noise from the crowd intensified.
It was a passionate display from the Waratahs’ scrum as they charged forward. Hooper then nabbed the ball from the back of the breakdown to place it down on the line under the posts as the Tahs’ bench erupted.
Foley was good with the conversion, giving the Waratahs a crucial 30-32 lead with less than a minute on the clock. It was a nail-biting final 30 seconds but the Waratahs managed to hold onto the ball as the siren sounded to become the eventual victors.
The NSW Waratahs head back to Sydney ahead of their round 11 match against the Cheetahs next Saturday 7 May at Allianz Stadium. Tickets are available at www.waratahs.com.au/tickets. The match doubles as the Waratahs’ annual Ladies Day – more information is available at www.waratahs.com.au/ladiesday.
Stormers, 30 (Burger, du Toit (2) – tries, du Plessis – 3 conv, 3 pen) defeated by the NSW Waratahs, 32 (Beale, Folau, Horne, Hooper – tries, Foley – 3 conv, 2 pen) at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa.
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