The NSW Waratahs have returned to the winners’ circle in an emphatic fashion with a 38-14 bonus-point win over the Fijian Drua at CBUS Super Stadium.
Michael Hooper made his long-awaited return for the Waratahs and hit the ground running, taking just 11 minutes to get his first try of the season after he came on at half-time.
The Drua were their own worst enemy on the night losing two players to the bin through the match, including their skipper Nemani Nagusa who was red-carded for a reckless late high shot on Tane Edmed in the 25th minute.
Unlike last week against the Reds, the Waratahs capitalised on their numerical advantage scoring 24 points in the period when the Drua were down to 13 men.
The scores were locked at 7-7 before the Nagusa red card with Dylan Pietsch scoring the opening try for the Waratahs in the 16th minute before Vinaya Habosi hit back for the hosts, punishing a Waratahs handling error in the 23rd minute to level the scores at 7-7.
The Waratahs then went on a try-scoring spree through their forwards with Nagusa in the bin. Charlie Gamble and Dave Porecki both grabbed a try each of the back of the Waratahs rolling maul before Jed Holloway burst through three defenders with a powerful run close to the line.
The Waratahs skipper then turned provider having a hand in Michael Hooper’s try when he put Tane Edmed through a gap with a perfectly timed ball off his hip before Edmed found Hooper in support.
The Drua threatened to get back in the game with a try to Rusiate Nasove but the Waratahs shut down the game when Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco set up Mark Nawaqanitawase with a powerful run down the short side off a blindside scrum.
The Waratahs have now won four of their opening seven games and sit fourth on the ladder heading into their bye week.
Waratahs skipper Jed Holloway was thrilled with how his side managed to contain the dangerous Fijians.
“It was good to bounce back and good we stuck to the game plan tonight,” Holloway said.
“Our maul was a massive highlight; we are starting to get some good pay out of it.”
It was a special night for Lalakai Foketi, who has just recently re-signed with the team for a further two seasons, playing his 50th Super rugby match for the Waratahs.
WARATAHS 38 TRIES: Pietsch, Gamble, Porecki, Holloway, Hooper, Nawaqanitawase CONS: Edmed 4/5, Newsome 0/1
DRUA 14 TRIES: Habosi, Nasove CONS: Tela 2/2 PENS: Tela 0/1 RED CARD: Nagusa 29' YELLOW CARD: Lomani 42'
DRUA (1-15): Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Mesulame Dolokoto, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Nemani Nagusa (c), Frank Lomani, Teti Tela, Vinaya Habosi, Caleb Muntz, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kitione Ratu RESERVES: Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet, Manasa Saulo, Viliame Rarasea, Vilive Miramira, Rusiate Nasove, Peni Matawalu, Napolioni Bolaca
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Geoff Cridge, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Will Harris, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Alex Newsome RESERVES: Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Archer Holz, Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, Michael Hooper, Teddy Wilson, Jamie Roberts, Triston Reilly
