Waratahs splash to watery win
Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:00
Tah talk: Phil Waugh discusses tactics with Kurtley Beale
The Waratahs executed their tactics very effectively under monsoon conditions to record a crucial 24-17 Super 14 win over the Brumbies at a rain-soaked Sydney Football Stadium.
The Tahs produced a strong display in the second half, after they went into the break 10-17 behind at the break.
It wasn't pretty. It never is pretty in pouring rain.
However, the Waratahs kept cool under the testing circumstances and made sure that for most part the game was played in the right areas of the park ... inside the Brumbies half.
The Waratahs outfit started brightly as Tom Carter crashed over in the 20th minute.
But an explosive nine-minute spell from the Brumbies just before half-time yielded 17 points, courtesy of tries by Julian Salvi and Peter Playford, all converted by Mark Gerrard - putting the visitors into a seven-point lead at the break.
The home side came out very positively in the second period, and held the Brumbies scoreless for 40 minutes.
Lote Tuqiri and Dean Mumm scored breakaway tries in the second half of to secure the win for the Waratahs - a result that saw them move into third place on the standings.
Tuqiri latched onto a juggled pass in midfield in the 46th minute to dash 40 meters under the post for a try, converted by Kurtley Beale, which tied the scores 17-17.
Replacement Mumm then charged down a clearing kick from Brumbies flyhalf Christian Lealiifano, recovered the bouncing ball and sprinted over between the posts in the 62nd minute for what proved to be the deciding score.
The opening whistle was a signal for the skies to open, and the game took place in a constant deluge. The rain placed a premium on the control of possession and it was the Waratahs, with a more measured gameplan and greater discipline, who eked out the narrow win.
"It was a good gutsy win in those conditions," Tahs captain Phil Waugh said.
"It was all about playing from corner to corner and getting as much field position as possible. We did that pretty well but are still a few areas we can improve on."
Young flyhalf Kurtley Beale played a key role as the Waratahs gained a 10-0 lead after 27 minutes.
He faked an attempted drop-goal from an attacking ruck in the 21st minute, shrugged off the defence and
timed his pass to centre Tom Carter - who touched down under the posts for his first Super 14 try.
Beale was taken out by Brumbies centre Tyrone Smith in the 27th minute.
Smith received a yellow card and Beale jumped to his feet to slot the penalty kick - which extended the Tahs' lead to 10-0.
The visitors were goaded into action and scored 10 points, despite Smith being sin-binned.
Julian Salvi skirted a scrum and drove over on the blindside in the 31st minute for a try, converted from the sideline by Mark Gerrard.
Gerrard kicked a penalty to tie the scores in the 31st minute, then Smith returned from the bin to play a part in an injury time try to Peter Playford - which put the Brumbies seven points ahead at half-time.
The Waratahs played a cool-headed game in the second half, kicking for position and retaining possession with more assurance than the Brumbies in a game of turnovers.
Man of the match: George Smith was his usual bustling, busy self and Stephen Hoiles supported the Brumbies captain very well. For the Waratahs players like Lote Tuqiri, captain Phil Waugh and Dan Vickerman had a busy match. However, our award goes to young Kurtley Beale for showing great maturity in very testing conditions.
Moment of the match: In a match of give-and-take the score that finally turned the tide was Lote Tuqiri's dash to the tryline in the 47th minute. But the award goes to Dean Mumm's 62nd minute try, which ultimately won his team the match.
Villain of the match: Tyrone Smith did his best to get this ignominious award, but his was not a nasty act, more silly - forgetting that he is now playing Rugby Union and not Rugby League, where no-arm shoulder charges are par for the course. The rain also tried to spoil the party!
Scorers:
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Carter, Tuqiri, Mumm
Cons: Beale 3
Pens: Beale
For the Brumbies:
Tries: Salvi, Playford
Cons: Gerrard 2
Pens: Gerrard
Yellow card: Tyrone Smith (Brumbies, 27 - foul play, no-arm tackle)
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Timana Tahu, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh
(captain), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Will Caldwell, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Al Baxter/Dan Palmer, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Alfi Mafi.
Brumbies: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Peter Playford, 13 Sanualio Afeaki, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 George Smith (captain), 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Joshua Holmes, 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22 Tim Wright.
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)
Touch judges: Ian Smith (Australia), Daniel Cheever (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia)
