Alex Newsome’s second half double helps secure 24-41 win over the Western Force at HBF Park.
The Waratahs returned from their bye week firing, scoring 24 unanswered points in the first 15 minutes against the Western Force. Momentum was with the Waratahs early as Mark Nawaqanitawase rolled the dice from 55m out to score a dynamic intercept try.
Tane Edmed continued his strong form, breaking the Force line and providing the last pass to Lalakai Foketi to score under the posts for the second try of the evening.
Moments later the third try came through the vision of Michael Hooper who ran untouched to score under the posts taking the Waratahs lead to 24 after 15 minutes.
The Force hit back through the hard running Reesjan Pasitoa, breaking the Waratahs scoring streak in the 20th minute.
The momentum shifted to the Force who tested the Waratah defense before halftime, stringing 26 phases on the Waratahs tryline. The Waratahs managed to hold the relentless attack off at the halftime siren to keep the scores at 7-24,
The Force opened up the scores in the second half through a strong run from Tim Anstee in the 46th minute. Dave Porecki crossed the line for the in the 51st minute only to be answered by the Force in similar fashion through Andrew Ready in the 55th minute.
The high-scoring affair was capped off with a double from Alex Newsome who showed off his pace against his former team.
Waratahs star front rower Angus Bell was happy with his team’s effort but was critical on parts of the game.
“We started pretty fast, but at the end we fell a bit.”
“We played good rugby at parts, but we need to put together an 80-minute effort”
The Waratahs will shift their focus towards the Chiefs for next week’s Super Round at AAMI Park, Melbourne.
WARATAHS 41 TRIES: Nawaqanitawase, Foketi, Hooper, Porecki, Newsome 2 CONS: Edmed 4/6 PEN: Edmed 1/1
FORCE 24 TRIES: Pasitoa, Anstee, Ready, Pasitoa CONS: Prior 2/4
