After a dominant opening round win against the Brumbies, the Waratahs returned home to face off against a Force outfit looking to improve from a tough loss to the Reds last weekend.
Despite being originally named in the starting team midweek, NSW captain Grace Hamilton was a late withdrawal ahead of the match, allowing Kaitlan Leaney to slot into the back-row and Katrina Barker to stand in as captain.
After a thumping defeat against Queensland, the Force rolled out the changes, including promoting Kendra Fell and Nicole Ledington from last week’s bench to the starting line-up. A successful partnership between Fell and Ledington was imperative for a Force side looking to end the Tahs incredible winning streak.
In fantastic rugby conditions at Leichhardt Oval, it was the Tahs who dominated the opening moments of the match thanks to superstar Mahalia Murphy. Capitalising on an early attacking scrum, Murphy danced around the Force’s wide defence, beating three to dive over for the games opening try.
However, the Force bounced back moments later, with Ariana Hira-Herangi pouncing on an errant Pauline Piliae cut-out ball to intercept and race over for the equalising try.
What followed was 10-minutes of bullish defence, with neither side allowing the other to acquire any clear attacking dominance. With the Waratahs securing 65% of possession in the opening quarter of the match, the Force defence stood strong and made life tough for the imposing Tahs outfit.
But eventually the Waratahs attacking pressure became too much. With a strong NSW rolling maul causing the Force defence to scramble, a fabulous pass from Mahalia Murphy allowed winger Margot Vella to cross untouched in the corner.
With the reliable boot of Pauline Piliae nailing the sideline conversion, the Tahs lead was taken to 14-7.
Wallaroo Emily Robinson continued her strong Super W season in the opening half, excelling in both attack and defence, as well as securing the Waratahs set piece dominance.
Robinson was also momentarily thrust into the captain’s position late in the first half after Katrina Barker was shown yellow for intentionally slapping a pass to the ground.
Despite the one-woman advantage, strong Tahs defence and a streak of dropped ball ensured the 7-point NSW lead remained at half-time.
The Western Force needed an early second-half response and secured it, with prop Raewyn Tuheke rumbling over for the equalising try following dominant field possession from the restart.
With scores level and both sides in a desperate arm wrestle for ascendancy, the Tahs introduced flanker Ella Koster. At 16-years and 7-months, Koster became the youngest Waratah in history and was incredibly impressive in her debut performance.
The fresh legs of Koster and Adiana Talakai regained the Tahs attacking momentum, however, the relentless defence of Rebecca Clough and fellow Force teammates remained defiant.
After Force centre Trilleen Pomare was shown yellow in the 58th-minute, the Waratahs attack finally cut through to break the deadlock.
A try to winger Georgina Tuipulotu and an amazing individual effort from Bridie O’Gorman saw the NSW lead race to 24-14. O’Gorman’s try was easily the highlight of the match and characteristic of the props relentless best-on-ground performance.
With the final siren sounded, replacement prop Faliki Pohiva crashed over under the sticks to secure a well-earned 31-14 victory to the Tahs.
The Waratahs will take on the Melbourne Rebels next Saturday 5:05pm at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Waratahs 31 Tries: Murphy, Vella, Tuipulotu, O’Gorman, Pohiva Cons: Piliae 3 Yellow Card: Barker
Western Force 14 Tries: Hira-Harangi, Tuheke Cons: Ledington 2 Yellow Card: Pomare
