Waratahs put in courageous 80 minute effort in 29-10 loss to loss to Crusaders
The NSW Waratahs have put in a courageous display, going down to the Crusaders by 29-10 in trying conditions in Christchurch tonight.
The Tahs applied pressure to the Crusaders all night, showing maximum effort for the full 80 minutes. They managed two tries to the home sides’ four, with former 61-capped Crusader, Zac Guildford denying the Canterbury men a bonus point after successfully crossing for his debut try for NSW.
The Crusaders were the first to attack and, after finding a gap, were the first try-scorers through winger, Johnny McNicholl, the TMO ruling he had got the ball over the line before going into touch. The five-pointer bringing the home side ahead by 7 – 0 four minutes into the match.
Some impressive offloads from the Crusaders saw them on the front foot in the persistent rain as they maintained the upper hand in possession.
They were over again with Israel Dagg dotting it down in the corner after collecting a cross kick from flyhalf, Richie Mo’unga. The conversion unsuccessful this time left the home side ahead by 12 to nil at 10 minutes in.
A third try from the Crusaders two minutes later was denied with referee Jaco Peyper ruling they were not back within the 10 after a kick went up from Dagg.
Peyper then awarded the Crusaders a penalty after deeming Dean Mumm to be off his feet at the breakdown. Mo’unga struck it well, bringing his side’s lead out to 15-0.
The Waratahs scrum held up impressively against the Crusaders, before a misplaced kick out on the full from Mo’unga handed the Tahs a good opportunity.
They used it well, gaining back the territory and possession, before Israel Folau found space. Showing his skill in the centres, he darted out and around the defence and through a gap before Rob Horne collected an offload with his feet and sped across for the Tahs’ first five-pointer. Foley slipped a difficult conversion out, the scores at 15-5 in favour of the home side with 27 minutes gone.
Mo’unga was given another chance to add points through a penalty with the Tahs offside but pushed it out to the right with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half.
Keen to continue to kick for territory, the Waratahs again slipped past the Crusaders defence, this time through Foley who effectively found the gap. He passed to Nick Phipps who was hit hard by Kieran Read, forcing the ball from his hands.
The slippery conditions continued to test both sides as the rain persisted. The home side found another try through Mo’unga off the back of a lineout, despite a suspected forward pass. The Crusaders’ 10 converted his own try to bring the lead out to 22-5.
At his typical best under the high ball, Folau helped to get the possession back for the Tahs, who fought on in attack as the half-time siren sounded. Their efforts remained throughout the entire first 40 in the face of the trying conditions despite being down at the break by 22-5.
Folau remained the danger man early in the second half as the Waratahs started strong. Looking keen in attack, they made some good carries as they edged towards the Crusaders line less than two minutes into the second half.
The Tahs were calm and courageous, with Andrew Kellaway putting his body on the line to maintain the Waratahs’ possession, while Nick Phipps again played his heart out.
Good running from hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, and again from Foley and Horne, gained the Tahs metres as they continued to work their way forward with the ball, evening the possession statistics in the process.
Just metres out, the entire team hammered away at the line before the Crusaders managed to run away with it. Adding some more muscle to the Tahs’ back line, Wycliff Palu was then sent on in place of Jed Holloway who had made his return from a shoulder injury.
Settling in to the scrum, this time on the Waratahs’ line, the NSW men maintained their defence, the Crusaders subbing off some of their spent players.
The Waratahs held on to pressure in defence before Crusaders flanker, Jordan Taufua managed to squeeze over for a try under the posts.
The Waratahs bench was almost cleared at 61 minutes in with Sam Lousi on for Will Skelton, Angus Ta’avao replacing Tom Robertson, Matt Carraro for David Horwitz and 61 capped Crusader, Zac Guildford back on the field for the Tahs in place of Reece Robinson. Paddy Ryan also came from the park moments later with Jeremy Tilse the replacement.
Their ongoing intent was inspiring. It translated into points soon after with Guildford breaking straight through the Crusaders defence, hitting a beautiful line to run over for an impressive debut try for NSW, bringing the scores to 29-10.
The Tahs had effectively worked their way back into the game in the second half, levelling out the possession and territory percentages in the process as Hugh Roach replaced Tatafu Polota-Nau, who had been one of the Waratahs’ many work horses all night.
The Tahs continued to make some brilliant metres through replacement halfback Matt Lucas, with Michael Hooper firm in support. Once again they found themselves pressing on the home side’s line.
Committing plenty of numbers to the breakdown, the Tahs eventually spread it out wide. An offload from Angus Ta’avao, however, found the Crusaders but a slipped kick forced a close lineout.
The home crowd erupted as 150-capped Crusader, Andy Ellis came from the field with less than six minutes to go.
Guildford made several more clean breaks, reflecting the Tahs’ intent throughout the entire match.
Trying to the very end as the full-time siren sounded, the Waratahs continued to press for a final five pointer. They took possession back several times but with a final forward pass to the Crusaders, the home side finished with the 29-10 win.
The NSW Waratahs head back to Sydney ahead of their round 14 match against the Chiefs next Saturday 28th May at Allianz Stadium. Tickets are available at www.waratahs.com.au/tickets.
Crusaders, 29 (McNicholl, Dagg, Mo’unga, Taufua – tries, Mo’unga – 3 con, 1 pen) defeated NSW Waratahs, 10 (Horne, Guildford – tries).
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