Tahs bag home semi
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Defending champions the Waratahs bounded away with four converted second-half tries against the Reds on Saturday to secure the Australian conference title and a Super Rugby home final in Sydney.
The Waratahs wrestled their way to a 3-0 lead by the end of a scrappy first-half before motoring to victory in the second, claiming the number two spot overall in the final standings behind tearaway leaders the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes and Waratahs will have next week off as the Stormers take on the Brumbies and the Highlanders host the Chiefs in the opening week's play-offs.
It was the Waratahs' 11th win of the season but the 12th loss of a disastrous campaign for the Reds, who won the Super Rugby title four years ago.
It was an ugly opening half with only a Bernard Foley penalty goal separating the two rivals at half-time, but the Waratahs stepped it up in the second term with four converted tries.
Skipper Dave Dennis crashed over off an inside pass from Foley in the 53rd minute and was followed five minutes later by South African flank Jacques Potgieter after a tremendous bumping run by Israel Folau.
Replacement scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin scooted over after lead-up play from Foley, and Dean Mumm came off the bench to score the bonus-point fourth try seven minutes from the end.
Quade Cooper scored a consolation try for the Reds in the dying minutes for his side's only points.
"Our defence was really good. We were disappointed by our defence in Bloemfontein [against the Cheetahs] last week but today the win was off the back of some really good team defence," Dennis said.
"They are a tough team. It's always a hard slog against the Reds… and I think through our hard work and patience it paid off."
The Waratahs have now won their last four encounters against the Reds by substantial margins – 32-5 and 34-3 last year and 23-5 and 31-5 this season.
Reds skipper James Slipper, who came off with a shoulder injury, said his team had played a poor second-half.
"Disappointing the way we finished in the second-half," he said.
"I thought going into half-time we were right in the mix, but we came out a bit soft and we really didn't create the opportunities. And they did."
The Reds now face a period of soul-searching, with the future of coach Richard Graham in doubt and established players Will Genia, James Horwill and likely Quade Cooper heading to play overseas.
Man of the match: There were really no contenders here for the Reds although Adam Thompson and Quade Cooper tried their best. For the Waratahs Israel Folau and Taqele Naiyaravoro were both handfuls to bring down, while Dave Dennis was a workhorse. Bernard Foley claims the honours as he was useful with ball in-hand, making some quality line-breaks and the provider of two try-assist.
The scorers:
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Dennis, Potgieter, McKibbin, Mumm
Cons: Foley 3
Pen: Foley
For the Reds:
Try: Cooper
Yellow card: Adam Thomson (Reds, 50 – professional foul – deliberate offside)
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 David Dennis (captain), 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Mitchell Chapman , 20 Dean Mumm, 21 Stephen Hoiles, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Peter Betham.
Reds: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Karmichael Hunt, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Pettowa Paraka, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Hendrik Tui, 22 Nick Frisby, 23 Jake McIntyre, 24 Ben Tapuai, 25 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Michael Hogan (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia
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