'Tahs off to a flyer against Warriors
The Waratahs have started the year on the right note with a 41-13 victory over a Fijian selection at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday.
In an emphatic display, the Waratahs ran in seven tries to one and it could have been more had conditions been more suitable.
Temperatures that hovered around 27°C and humidity at over 85 percent combined to turn the ball into a cake of soap with handling errors punctuating the second half.
When the ball was dry, however, the ‘Tahs looked more like the team which last played at the SFS in a brilliant final round victory over the Hurricanes in May.
The home side started the scoring in the fourth minute when a Drew Mitchell kick-return resulted in Kurtley Beale touching down in the left corner.
It was then the turn of newcomer Afa Pakalani to get in on the act, breaking a tackle to score in the seventh minute then crossing two minutes later after a well-worked run around by Berrick Barnes.
Drew Mitchell then sealed the opening quarter with a try from a Beale grubber, however the play started way back inside the NSW quarter with a bust by Wycliff Palu. The rampaging No.8 had a memorable first match back after suffering a season-ending knee injury against the Crusaders 10 months ago.
Barnes was unsuccessful with his four first quarter conversion attempts leaving the score 20-0 at the first drinks break.
Less than two minutes into the second quarter Lachie Turner scored in the left corner following some great lead-up work from Palu and Tatafu Polota-Nau who set the defence on their heels with overpowering charges.
Barnes this time nailed the sideline conversion for a 27-0 lead.
It was clear after 30 minutes that conditions had started to play a major role with handling errors lifting for both sides and cruelling attacking opportunities.
The ‘Tahs had to wait until three minutes from half-time for the next score which saw Turner cross again after a well-worked move from the scrum base. Barnes split the uprights with his second sideline conversion of the quarter which sent NSW to the sheds with a 34-0 lead.
As expected, Chris Hickey rang the changes at half-time with Wycliff Palu, Ben Mowen, Kane Douglas, Drew Mitchell, Kurtley Beale and Tom Carter all given an early mark.
The new dry ball in the second half didn’t last long with Luke Burgess pulling off a great tackle on one of the Fijian locks to squeeze the ball out and into the hands of the ‘Tahs. Shortly after Cross carried two defenders over the line and muscled the ball to ground for the seventh try of the game.
Barnes’ conversion took the score to 41-0 after 44 minutes, however with the changes continuing to come over the final 35 minutes, the tourists were able to capitalise.
A penalty to Dan Rawaqa put the Warriors on the board before threequarter time by which point Phil Waugh, Luke Burgess, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Dean Mumm, Lachie Turner and Berrick Barnes had left the field.
Rawaqa – a veteran of 13 Tests and a former Top 14 player with Agen and Grenoble – kicked another penalty four minutes into the final stanza before reserve prop Navi Bolatagici crashed over in the dying moments for a consolation try.
The Fijian No.10 converted to finish the scoring at 41-13.
The Waratahs head to Nowra on Sunday for a four-day camp ahead of Thursday’s trial with the Western Force at Shoalhaven Rugby Park.
The scorers:
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Pakalani 2, Turner 2, Beale, Mitchell, Cross
Cons: Barnes 3
For the Fiji Warriors:
Try: Bolatagici
Con: Rawaqa
Pens: Rawaqa 2
The teams:
Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Afa Pakalani, 13 Lachie Turner, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements – from: Scott Sio, John Ulugia, Greg Peterson, Dave Dennis, Josh Holmes, Sosene Anesi, Ryan Cross, Ben Seymour, Sitaleki Timani, Paddy Ryan, Chris Alcock, Lopeti Timani, Tom Kingston.
Fiji Warriors: 15 Taniela Rawaqa, 14 Adriu Delai, 13 Josaia Vakacegu, 12 Paula Karatu, 11 Isoa Neivua, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Nemia Ranuku, 8 Kelevi Ketedromo, 7 Jimilai Naikadawa, 6 Rupeni Nasiga (captain), 5 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Setefano Samoca, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Waisea Nailago.
Replacements – from: Seveci Taka, Campese Ma’afu, Joeli Kotobalavu, Anare Koliavu, Malakai Volau, Aca Ratuva, Navi Bolatagici, Isoa Donaldson, Penijamini Makutu, Apisalome Waqatabu, Waisale Vatuvoka, Ravai Fatiaki.
Referee: Ian Smith
Assistant Referees: Ed Martin & Steve Hardy
