Chiefs edge Tahs at the death
The Waratahs started strong, notching the first digits onto the scoreboard just six minutes in thanks to a try from Rob Horne. Despite a missed conversion from Kurtley Beale in the No.10 jersey, the Tahs had the first advantage in the game at 5-0.
The Chiefs held most of the territory but were unable to turn it into points in the first 15 minutes of play.
It wasn't long, however before they found wing Glen Fisiiahi, who scored from a counter attack in the Chiefs own half. Unable to convert their opening try, scores remained drawn at five a piece.
The second quarter began with end to end play; the scores remaining drawn at five-all at 25 minutes into the match.
The Chiefs were the first to find the tryline in the second quarter from a midfield scrum. Their lead was cut short as the Waratahs answered with their own impressive five pointer soon after. Hasty wing, Reece Robinson crossed under the posts with a long range try, which, together with a good conversion from Beale brought the scores level again at 12-all.
Some fairly even play followed, with both teams making plenty of breaks, but lacking the ability to finish it off due to dropped ball.
The Waratahs scrum dominated towards the back end of the second half but the score remained level at the break.
Both the Waratahs and the Chiefs took the opportunity to utilise their bench resources for the second half as head coach Daryl Gibson brought on the likes of Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Ned Hanigan, Bryce Hegarty and Matt Lucas.
The match intensified into a scoreless third quarter, which commenced with a lot of dropped ball and ended with the Waratahs defending ruthlessly on their own line for several phases.
They managed to hold the Chiefs out, though, going into the fourth quarter with the scores still locked at 12 each.
Gibson rang in the changes again with 20 minutes to go, with Dean Mumm taking the reins as captain and young guns, Hugh Roach, Senio Toleaofoa, Harry Jones and Jake Gordon added to the mix.
Both teams again blew their opportunities in the last piece as they fought to break the 12-all draw. The Chiefs set up camp in the Waratahs’ half but weren’t able to hold the ball long enough to score.
A scrum penalty was awarded in the Tahs' favour, handing them the chance to take the game into their half in the last moments. But a dropped ball with two minutes left on the clock saw the Chiefs back on the front foot.
It was a game that could have gone either way, with the Waratahs holding on for the majority. But it was the Chiefs who stole it in the nick of time, scoring just as the final siren sounded, handing them the final lead by one try.
The scorers:
For Chiefs:
Tries: Fisiiahi, Kerr-Barlow, Ioane
Con: Ngatai
For Waratahs:
Tries: Horne, Robinson
Con: Beale
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Glen Fisiiahi, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Maama Vaipulu, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Johan Bardoul, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 James Tucker, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Mitchell Graham.
Replacements – from: Rhys Marshall, Pauliasi Manu, Siegfried Fisiihoi, Michael Allardice, Tevita Koloamatangi, Brad Weber, Chase Tiatia, Anton Lienert-Brown, Lalakai Foketi, Mitchell Karpik, Taleni Seu, Tom Sanders, Sam Vaka, Latu Vaeno, Atu Moli, Mike Kainga, Pele Cowley, Keepa Mewett, Michael Mayhew, Monty Ioane.
Waratahs: 15 Zac Guildford, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Rob Horne, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Brad Wilkin, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Jeremy Tilse.
Replacements – from: Tolu Latu, Benn Robinson, Paddy Ryan, Senio Toleafoa, Ned Hanigan, Matt Lucas, Bryce Hegarty, Andrew Kellaway, Jake Gordon, Harry Jones, Hugh Roach, Matt Sandell.
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
@NSWWaratahs
