NSW Waratahs go down swinging in Leichhardt thriller

Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 12:47 PM
Waratahs Media
by Waratahs Media

The NSW Waratahs have suffered a heartbreaking 20-16 loss against the Queensland Reds, ruing a golden chance in the dying stages of the game to snatch the win.

Despite the rain lashing down on Leichhardt Oval, fans were treated to a high-octane match with both sides playing plenty of attacking rugby in the trying conditions.

The Reds got the scoreboard ticking over early, racing out to a 10-0 lead courtesy of the boot of James O’Connor.

The Reds and Wallabies flyhalf opened the scoring with a penalty in the opening minute of the game before putting in a perfectly placed dink over the top of the Waratahs defence for Petaia to latch on and score in the 20th minute.

The Waratahs found their rhythm and got back in the game, leveling the scores at half-time courtesy of a Will Harris try and a Ben Donaldson penalty goal.

Will Harris took advantage of a loose ball off the back of an attacking scrum after Tate McDermott played at his hands allowing the ball to land perfectly to put the number 8 in space and race away for the try.

The second half turned into an arm wrestle with both sides attempting to play for territory and tempers flaring on multiple occasions.

The Reds and Waratahs traded penalty goals through O’Connor and Donaldson, before the young Waratahs fly-half calmly slotted a field goal in the 63rd minute for a 16-13 lead.

Ryan Smith did the damage for the Reds in the 69th minute, crashing over from a pick and drive on the Waratahs line with O’Connor slotting the conversion for the 20-16 lead.

The Waratahs fought to the death and used their scrum to great effect for valuable field position, culminating in an attacking 5m lineout on the Reds line in the 77th minute of the game.

Unfortunately, the lineout throw went astray allowing the Reds to get out of jail and escape Sydney with the win.

Waratahs captain Jake Gordon was frustrated with his team’s inability to grab the win.

″We felt for the majority of that game we really controlled it ... we just let ourselves down with our set piece, which was really disappointing, ″ Gordon said.

Despite the result it was a special night for Ruan Smith and Langi Gleeson who both made their Waratahs debut.

The Waratahs now turn their attention to their Round 3 clash against the Brumbies next Saturday in Canberra

Reds 20 (Tries: Petaia, Smith Conversions: O’Connor 2 Penalties: O’Connor 2) def. Waratahs 16 (Tries: Harris Conversions: Donaldson Penalties: Donaldson 2 Drop Goal: Donaldson) at Leichhardt Oval

WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Geoff Cridge, Jeremy Williams, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Jake Gordon, Ben Donaldson, James Turner, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Newsome

RESERVES: Tom Horton, Te Tera Faulkner, Ruan Smith, Max Douglas, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Jamie Roberts

REDS (1-15): Feao Fotuaika, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), James O'Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Josh Flook, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell

RESERVES: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Spencer Jeans, Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy

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