Tahs and Chiefs play out a try-fest
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The Waratahs ran in six tries to the Chiefs' four in a close 38-36 victory to the home side in Sydney on Friday as part of the teams pre-seaon preparation.
It was a much anticipated re-match between Sonny Bill Williams and Wallabies fullback Israel Folau, who last faced off in the NRL in 2007, that was the main attraction of the game.However, they barely crossed paths when they were on the field for 24 minutes of the second half, though Folau claimed a try as the Waratahs clung on for victory.
Folau in the first half, set up the first leg of Rob Horne's treble and and provided the assist for Taqele Naiyaravoro's opener before Williams entered the fray at inside centre for a useful comeback six days after his boxing bout with Chauncy Welliver.
Ultimately it was replacement Chiefs flyhalf Damian McKenzie who could have landed the knock out blow from 45-metres in the final minute but the teenager's penalty drifted wide.
He also missed a tough sideline conversion after runaway flank Tevita Koloamatangi bulldozed Kurtley Beale to bridge the gap to two points.
Horne scored the decisive try in the 64th minute, not that the result was vital for Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, who had seven first choice players unavailable including All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Liam Messam, Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick.
Williams, one of seven halftime changes, made an immediate impact when a trademark flick pass freed Damian McKenzie – who took over from his older brother Marty – into space in a break that saw Wallabies lock Will Skelton sinbinned for obstruction.
McKenzie nailed the penalty, the only scoring in a disjointed third quarter that was in stark contrast to a helter skelter opening half that featured seven tries and 66 points.
Earlier the Chiefs made the worst start imaginable when scrumhalf Brad Weber's first pass bounced over the dead ball line and although the Waratahs were initially thwarted, a handling error by Anton Lienert-Brown enabled the hosts to score off their next set piece.
A standard backline movement culminated in Folau creating enough uncertainty and space for wing Naiyaravoro to cross in the right hand corner in the third minute.
The Wallabies fullback also played a major role in the Waratahs' second try when he grabbed the restart after Marty McKenzie's first penalty to initiate a sweeping move finished on the left flank by Horne.
Marty McKenzie goaled another penalty and then the Chiefs modified their pragmatic approach and were rewarded when Hosea Gear – who ended the game with his left knee in a brace – collected a sharp McKenzie offload after the visitors turned down a likely three points.
The Chiefs then continued their productive period by scoring 18 unanswered points to led 21-14, Sevens international Bryce Heem ensured all four wings crossed inside the opening quarter when he rounded off a redemptive break from Weber.
Inevitably it was Folau who reinvigorated the Waratahs when he ghosted through Mike Fitzgerald's attempted tackle, though the lock made amends when he chased down by Bernard Foley to score by the posts.
The Waratahs then regained the ascendancy when No.8 Maa'ma Vaipulu was yellowed carded for a ruck infringement as the Chiefs looked certain to concede, his action only delaying the inevitable as Horne notched his double on the back of a dominant scrum.
Former Springboks loose forward Jacques Potgieter put the Waratahs in front while they benefited from a numerical advantage when he crashed over from close range after the halftime siren.
Apart from winning ahead of their opening round clash with the Western Force on Sunday, Waratahs coach Michael Cheika would have been pleased captain Dave Dennis emerged unscathed from a 40-minute shift in the second row after a long-term injury.
Scorers:
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Horne 3, Naiyaravoro, Folau, Potgieter
Cons: Foley 4
For the Chiefs:
Tries: Gear, Heem, Fitzgerald, Koloamatangi
Cons: M. McKenzie 2, D. McKenzie
Pens: M. McKenzie 3
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Rob Horne, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jaques Potgieter, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Mitchell Chapman, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: Unnamed.
Chiefs squad:
Forwards: Michael Allardice, Johan Bardoul, Mitchell Crosswell, Hika Elliot, Jarrod Firth, Mike Fitzgerald, Mitchell Graham, Tevita Kolomatangi, Pauliasi Manu, Quentin McDonald, Jamie Mackintosh, Rhys Marshall, Sean Polwart, Matt Symons, Siate Tokolahi, Maa’ma Vaipulu.
Backs: Hosea Gear, Bryce Heem, Ngataua Hukatai, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie, Marty McKenzie, Tom Marshall, Augustine Pulu, Robbie Robinson, Seta Tamanivalu, Brad Weber, Sonny Bill Williams.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Ed Martin (Australia)
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