Will Harrison has starred in his return to the Waratahs’ starting side, but it was a dogged defensive effort in the second half that secured a 22-17 win over the Force.
Darren Coleman was once again forced to re-jig his matchday 23 late in the week losing three of his most senior players in skipper Jake Gordon (hamstring), Dave Porecki (groin), and Ruan Smith (Back) to injury.
The Waratah’s faithful were finally greeted to some sunshine and with the rain subsiding both sides showed plenty of intent early.
The Force got the first try of the match when winger Manese Mataele spotted a mismatch in the midfield and got on the outside of Harry Johnson-Holmes to sprint away and score.
The Waratahs tried to hit back straight away and wasted a couple of golden chances through breaks from Izaia Perese and Alex Newsome before Charlie Gamble got the Waratah’s first try of the match, finishing off a rolling maul in the 21st minute.
Will Harrison then stepped up and went on a point-scoring spree, scoring 17 points through four penalty goals and a try for a 22-7 lead at the break.
The script flipped in the second half as the Western Force dominated possession and territory spending almost the entire second period in the Waratahs’ half.
Charlie Gamble and Jeremy Williams made crucial turnovers deep in their defensive end to thwart wave after wave of golden chances as the Western Force desperately tried to get back into the match.
The Waratahs’ blue wall eventually broke late in the game with Harry Lloyd crashing over from close range in the 74th minute after some sustained pressure from the Force.
Ian Prior kicked an 81st-minute penalty goal to bring the gap to within seven points and ensure the men from Perth left with a losing bonus point.
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman was delighted with the defensive effort in the second half securing a hard fought win at home.
“It was unreal," Coleman said.
"Probably not as sharp as we wanted in the second half but just winning is the important thing.
"After the last two weeks, it's a happy change room."
It was an exciting night for Mahe Vailanu and Archer Holz who both made their Waratahs Super Rugby debut off the bench.
The Waratahs now turn their attention to their Round 5 clash against the Rebels next Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Waratahs 22 (Tries: Gamble, Harrison Conversions: Harrison Penalties: Harrison 4) def. Force 17 (Tries: Mataele, Lloyd Conversions: Strachan, Prior Penalties: Prior) at Leichhardt Oval.
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Tom Horton, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway ©, Jeremy Williams, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Jack Grant, Ben Donaldson, Alex Newsome, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Dylan Pietsch, Will Harrison
RESERVES: Mahe Vailanu, Te Tera Faulkner, Archer Holz, Geoff Cridge, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Henry Robertson, Mark Nawaqanitawase
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu'u, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Izack Rodda, Fergus Lee-Warner, Ollie Callan, Tim Anstee, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Bayley Kuenzle, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan
RESERVES: Andrew Ready, Harry Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Jackson Pugh, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui
