Waratahs edge Brumbies in derby
The Waratahs scored a crucial 13-10 win over the Brumbies in a brutal Australian derby in Canberra on Friday.
The win, in which the teams scored one try each, allowed the Waratahs to close the gap on the Brumbies in the Australian derby to just one point - the losing bonus point keeping them in top spot on the conference standings and second on the overall log.
It is a result - the Tahs' first victory in the national capital since 2011 - that has put the Sydney outfit's Super Rugby title defence firmly back on track.
The Waratahs trailed 7-10 at the break, but second-half penalty goals to Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley clinched a hard-earned and bruising victory.
Apart from ending a four-year winning drought in Canberra, the Waratahs have now beaten the Brumbies four times in a row for the first time in 20 seasons of Super Rugby.
"A classic Brumbies versus game, I think," said Waratahs captain Dave Dennis.
"We didn't get much flow, but we defended really well, even with a man down. That's where we probably won the
"Really pleasing to come down here and get the result."
Foley, the incumbent Wallabies flyhalf, did not have his best match. He was steamrolled in defence, missing a shot at goal from in front and at times lacking composure in attack.
Israel Folau was again the Waratahs' most threatening player, while Adam Ashley-Cooper was strong and heavily involved in attack and defence, narrowly outplaying Tevita Kuridrani in their outside centre duel.
The Waratahs lost Tatafu Polota-Nau inside three minutes and it must be becoming a concern for Wallaby coach Michael Cheika that Australia's incumbent Test hooker continues to fight being concussed.
Polota-Nau has a history of head-related injuries and has already missed two games this year after being knocked out.
The opening score was classic Brumbies - a great break by Ita Vaea from a short pass by Christian Lealiifano gave them the momentum, while quick recycling created the space. A floating pass from Robbie Coleman found Joe Tomane on the left wing and his pace was too much for the cover. Lealiifano added the extras - 7-0 in as many minutes.
The Waratahs hit back pretty quickly - an attack from deep through Bernard Foley and Will Skelton providing good support. Then Israel Folau found a gap inside the Brumbies 22, with Michael Hooper carrying the ball to within five metres. Nick Phibbs threw a loopy pass over to Adam Ashley-Cooper, who cut inside for the try. Foley added the extras - 7-all after 14 minutes.
Just short of the half-hour mark Lealiifano gave the Brumbies a 10-7 lead with a penalty, an advantage they held onto till the half-time break.
Eight minutes into the second half Kurtley Beale levelled it up again, at 10-all, with a penalty and then Foley put them into the lead (13-10) going into the final quarter.
The Waratahs were down a man when wing Rob Horne was sin-binned for a professional foul 15 minutes from time - illegally collapsing a maul that moved dangerously close to his team's tryline.
However, they held out and claimed a crucial win - 13-10.
Man of the match: Will Skelton showed he is more than just a big lad, with a few neat touches, while Jacques Potgieter was again the brute force of the Waratahs pack. Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale had their moments, but for the best part of the game was well marked. Bernard Foley was the man that gave the direction at the back for the Waratahs. Joe Tomane showed how dangerous he can be with ball in hand and some space, while Christian Lealiifano was effective as the playmaker. Ita Vaea was strong, while other forwards like Stephen Moore, Jean-Pierre Smith, Scott Fardy and Sam carter all worked hard. However, this match was all about the openside battle between David Pocock and Michael Hooper - with Hooper just edging the battle and winning our award.
The scorers:
For the Brumbies:
Try: Tomane
Con: Lealiifano
Pen: Lealiifano
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Ashley-Cooper
Con: Foley
Pens: Beale, Foley
Yellow card: Rob Horne (Waratahs, 65 - professional foul, illegally collapsing a maul)
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Michael Dowsett, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Jordan Smiler, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Joe Powell, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Nigel Ah Wong.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Dave Dennis (captain), 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Mitch Chapman, 20 Stephen Hoiles, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Matt Carraro, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien, Frederico Anselmi
TMO: George Ayoub