Waratahs edge willing Blues
The Waratahs closed the gap on Australian conference leaders the Brumbies with a hard-earned 23-11 win of the Blues in Sydney on Saturday.
The scoreline two-tries-to-one win does not reflect just how hard the Waratahs had to work for this win – which left the Blues without a victory in 2015.
It was not till the 75th minute that a converted try by Peter Betham made the game safe for the home team.
Going into the final quarter the Blues were clinging to a 11-10 lead, with an upset a distinct possibility.
The last-placed Blues showed some real fight, but the loss will continue to pile pressure on under-fire coach John Kirwan – as the seventh successive defeat means it is their worst start and worst run in the history of Auckland-based franchise.
Scrumhalf Nick Phipps and replacement Peter Betham scored tries and flyhalf Bernard Foley kicked 13 points, as the Waratahs collected their fourth win of the campaign.
The Waratahs were not at their best, with a number of attacks breaking down through bundled passes, but they managed the game better in the second half to overcome the Super Rugby basement dwellers.
Scrumhalf Phipps crossed for the first try in the eighth minute after the television match official ruled Michael Hooper's questionable final pass had not gone forward.
The Blues, though, refused to buckle and two Dan Bowden penalties sent them in at halftime only a point back at 7-6 after some tough tackling in defence.
Their renewed fight was rewarded with a try to Francis Saili in the 53rd minute, after the Waratahs failed to cope with a high clearance kick and a neat offload from Charles Piutau sent the inside centre over.
Foley and the Waratahs responded with three penalties after pinning the Blues back in their own half and applying pressure in the right areas.
The hosts denied Kirwan's side a losing bonus point in the final five minutes when Betham finished a nice move, including a Will Skelton offload, to cross for the second try.
Man of the match: Dan Bowden show he still has the skill and hunger to compete at Super Rugby level, after several years abroad. Jerome Kaino was busy and Steven Luatua worked hard. Kevin Mealamu looked like a spring chicken when he came on in the second half. For the Waratahs there were the usual suspects – Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Michael Hooper, Will Skelton and even rookie hooker Tolu Latu. However, our award goes to Waratahs flank Jacques Potgieter for his amazing workrate – be that as a support player, ball carrier or defender. At times it seemed there were three of him on the field.
The scorers:
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Phipps, Betham
Cons: Foley 2
Pens: Foley 3
For the Blues:
Try: Saili
Pens: Bowden 2
Yellow card: Jerome Kaino (Blues, 72 – foul play, high tackle)
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 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 Tolu Latu, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Mitchell Chapman, 21 Stephen Hoiles, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Peter Betham.
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 George Moala, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Jerome Kaino (captain), 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi/Sam Prattley, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Luke Braid, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 Pita Ahki.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees, Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)
