NSW Waratahs top Australian Conference with bonus point victory over the Bulls
The NSW Waratahs have secured a triumphant bonus point 31-8 victory over the Bulls tonight, placing them at the top of the Australian Conference, ahead of the Brumbies and the Rebels.
Clinical in attack and gargantuan in defence, the Tahs impressed in front of 20,433 fans at Allianz Stadium tonight as they sealed their fourth straight win.
The side was left disheartened early in the match as Kurtley Beale was taken from the field after landing awkwardly under a high ball. David Horwitz was injected into the match as the replacement just one minute into the game.
The Waratahs showed their resilience. Withstanding the visitors’ attacks, they earned themselves a penalty 38 metres out from the posts. Bernard Foley, who tonight became the highest Super Rugby-capped flyhalf for the Waratahs, missed the shot at penalty and a 22 metre drop out followed.
The Bulls had a lot of the field position and possession early on but the Waratahs defence kept shutting them down. The visiting side from Pretoria made a break down the sideline, but the Tahs denied them the chance to score.
The Waratahs’ scrum was on point again as they earned their first scrum penalty of the night, with the Bulls front row collapsing.
Led by inspirational team captain Michael Hooper, the Tahs’ remained gutsy in defence, as they continued to shut down the Bulls attack.
NSW took their attacking opportunities as well. With a line-out on the Bulls 25 metre line, they set up some good phase play, with Bernard Foley the orchestrator. A penalty for hands on the ball went against the Bulls and the Tahs started again from the 20 metre line.
A scrum was called right in front of the Bulls try-line following a charge-down by Dean Mumm which led to a drop ball from fly-half Tian Schoeman who tried to re-gather it on the fly.
The ongoing pressure the Waratahs had been building finally paid off in the 35thminute with scrum-half Nick Phipps finding a gap in between the markers. Phipps took the ball from the back of the ruck before dummying and landing in for the try. Foley converted from in front to hand the Tahs a 7-0 lead.
As the half-time siren sounded, the Bulls got their first penalty within kicking range. Schoeman put it over the black dot but the Tahs maintained the lead by 7 points to 3 at half time.
Foley continued to play the role of conductor in the second half, assisting winger Rob Horne through a big hole to get on the attack.
But it was the vision of Phipps who drew the Bulls’ front rowers off the back off the ruck, before putting flanker Dean Mumm in for one the next five-pointer early in to the second half. Foley converted with ease to bring his team even further in the lead by 14-3.
A beautiful set piece play was perfectly executed by the Waratahs. The backline move was set up from the line-out, with decoys confusing the Bulls defence. Israel Folau was the recipient and offloaded at the death to fullback Andrew Kellaway who made some good metres before passing to a red-hot Rob Horne on the wing.
With under 30 minutes remaining, the Bulls defence came under heavy fire, with all the possession and attacking field position in favour of the home side.
A penalty for offside saved the Bulls from the onslaught coming from the Waratahs. Phipps remained in magical form, perfectly throwing the ball out in front of his team-mates to get them on the front foot. The move earned them a penalty, which Foley succeeded to bring the Tahs further out by 17 points to 3.
The crowd at Allianz Stadium stood and applauded the unrelenting defensive efforts of Number 8 Wycliff Palu as he left the field for Sam Lousi with 20 minutes to go.
Super reliable utility back, Matt Carraro had also entered the field for his 50th Super Rugby cap, replacing Reece Robinson.
The Tahs’ next five-pointer came as Israel Folau made two line breaks in the space of two minutes, the second was followed by a pass back inside to Nick Phipps who crossed for his second try of the night. Foley converted again, bringing the score to a comfortable 24-3.
Tatafu Polota-Nau was replaced following the try, marking his 137th game for his home state, which saw him secure the second highest amount of games for NSW in the club’s history.
The Waratahs leaked their first try through Bulls reserve fullback, Dries Swanpoel. The conversion attempt from Schoeman was unsuccessful but the five-pointer meant the Tahs had to score another to seal the bonus point.
The Waratahs were keen, attacking the Bulls line with ferocity and intent. The visitors couldn’t handle the pressure with a yellow card presented to Bulls flanker Jannes Kirsten. The Tahs capitalised, sealing a bonus point try through reserve prop Angus Ta’avao. Foley added the extras to take the final win by 31 points to 8.
The NSW Waratahs head to New Zealand late next week to play the Crusaders on Friday 20th May in round 13 of Super Rugby. The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 2 (Channel 502) at 5:35PM AEST.
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