The NSW Waratahs playing their first match in New Zealand since 2019, have gone down 48-21 to the Auckland Blues at Eden Park.
Izaia Perese was ruled out late in the week forcing a backline reshuffle for the Waratahs with Alex Newsome moving to outside centre, Jack Maddocks to the wing and Will Harrison to fullback.
The team changes didn’t stop there as the Waratahs injury cursed season continued losing lock Max Douglas in the 3rd minute of the match with a bicep injury, Lalakai Foketi to concussion mid-way through the first half, and Charlie Gamble early in the second half to a calf injury forcing major positional changes to the side.
The Blues raced out to an early 15-0 lead with tries to Bryce Heem and Tom Robinson before the Waratahs hit back with two tries of their own to Angus Bell and skipper Jake Gordon.
Kurt Ekland scored the last points of the half through a Blues rolling maul to give the hosts a 22-14 lead at the break.
The men from Auckland picked up where they left off and dominated the majority of the second half with the Waratahs defence again leaking points through soft one on one misses and turnovers.
Rieko Ioane caught the Waratahs ruck defence napping, picking and going from the base of the ruck and racing away 40m to score, while Bryce Heem scored a double in the second half to complete his hat-trick.
Dave Porecki scored the only try for the Waratahs in the second half with a pick and drive from close range.
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon was once again frustrated with his side’s defensive frailties.
“It’s been the story of the year, we put ourselves in good positions and really had the Blues stretched at times,” Gordon said.
“Individual errors let us down. We’ve always been an attacking team, but we need to change our mindset around defence.”
The Waratahs will now look to their Round 3 match against the Crusaders next Saturday at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
Blues 48 (Tries: Heem 3, Robinson, Ioane, Ekland, Penalty try Conversions: Black 4 Penalties: Black) defeated Waratahs 21 (Tries: Bell, Gordon, Porecki Conversions: Harrison 3) at Eden Park, Auckland
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Max Douglas, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, James Turner, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome, Jack Maddocks, Will Harrison
Reserves: Joe Cotton, Tetera Faulkner, Darcy Breen, Jack Whetton, Jack Dempsey, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Grant, Mark Nawaqanitawase
BLUES: (1-15): Karl Tu'inukuafe, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson (c), Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Otere Black, AJ Lam, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
Reserves Soane Vikena, Alex Hodgman, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papalii, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
