The NSW Waratahs have run out 23-14 winners over the Western Force at the Sydney Cricket Ground this evening.
A cold Sydney evening saw both sides greeted with greasy conditions on-field, with an arm-wrestle ensuing in the opening exchanges.
The Force came with plenty of energy in their first match of Super Rugby AU, moving out to a 14-point lead just before half time.
Rob Penney’s side slowly began to chip away at the deficit, led by a try from Angus Bell on the stroke of half time.
It would be a vastly different second half for the home side, with Bell’s try the first of 23 unanswered points.
Karmichael Hunt made his return from injury and his experience proved pivotal from the bench, coming up with a crucial 50-22 kick that led to a try for Tom Staniforth.
Will Harrison was sharp from the tee kicking five from five on another impressive night from the young playmaker.
His 74th minute penalty put the result out of reach for the Force, as the Waratahs secured their first win of Super Rugby AU.
Match Centre: click here
NSW Waratahs: (1-15) Angus Bell, Robbie Abel, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Lachie Swinton, Michael Hooper, Will Harris, Mitch Short, Will Harrison, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Joey Walton, Alex Newsome, James Ramm, Jack Maddocks.
Reserves: (16-23) Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tom Staniforth, Jack Dempsey, Michael McDonald, Ben Donaldson, Karmichael Hunt
Tries: Bell 40’, Staniforth 63’
Conversions: Harrison 40’, 46’ (p), 61’ (p), 64’, 74’
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
Western Force: (1-15) Angus Wagner, Feleti Kaitu’u, Kieran Longbottom, Jeremy Thrush, Fergus Lee Warner, Henry Stowers, Tevin Ferris, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Jono Lance, Brad Lacey, Nick Jooste, Marcel Brache, Byron Ralston, Jack McGregor
Reserves: (16-23) Andrew Ready, Chris Heiberg, Greg Holmes, Johan Bardoul, Ollie Callan, Jacob Abel, Henry Taefu, Kyle Godwin
Tries: Ralston 29’
Conversions: Prior 14’ (p), 33’ (p), 37’ (p)
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant 1: Amy Perrett
Assistant 2: James Quinn
TMO: James Leckie
From the Coach:
“It's lovely to win, I hate losing. I can sleep a little easier at night knowing we've got points in the bag. My main driver is seeing this group make progress and it looked to me they took a step forward. We're still on a roller coaster.
“That was a game of two halves. The Force put a lot of pressure on us. I thought our game management in the second half was really good.
“They came with a lot of emotion. We fell into the trap early on of younger guys maybe trying to express themselves a little bit too much too early and that’s where the errors came and compounded.”
"A lot of credit goes to the boys to be able to change tactically and adjust what they needed to do to get the outcome. It's a step forward in the right direction."
