Waratahs keep Force winless
MATCH REPORT: The NSW Waratahs have made a statement about their Super Rugby AU title intentions, taking down the Western Force 28-8 on Friday.
The Round Seven clash saw the Waratahs outscored their opponents three tries to one on the Gold Coast.
*As it happened: Force v Waratahs
The Waratahs backed up last round's victory over the Queensland Reds win to book successive wins for the first time since March last year.
The loss leaves the Force winless from their five matches, despite another competitive showing.
NSW too the early lead with a penalty before the Force opened the try-scoring after veteran centre Richard Kahui grubbered a kick through, with flanker Brynard Stander winning the race to the ball.
The teams exchanged the lead through penalties before Waratahs wing Alex Newsome crossed in the corner on 34 minutes after some neat lead-up work.
Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon was brought down just short of the tryline and fullback Jack Maddocks showed his game smarts to spot the defence was short out wide, and quickly flung the ball out to Newsome.
Young NSW five-eighth Will Harrison showed his value by converting from the sideline, with his kicking at 93 per cent for the season.
The Waratahs looked like they would add another try before halftime but were held up over the line after 23 phases and settled for a 16-8 lead.
Maddocks added to that in the 44th minute when he took an intercept pass from Force playmaker Jono Force and scooted 50 metres to touch down.
The Tahs' No.15 appeared likely to make it a double on 60 minutes but his try was called back for obstruction.
NSW had a second try disallowed with Gordon ruled to have being off-side before he took the ball to score.
Replacement prop Harry Johnson-Holmes finally got the reward his team deserved in the final minute, burrowing across the line.
The scorers:
FOr Westen Force:
Try: Stander
Pen: Prior,
For Waratahs:
Tries: Newsome, Maddocks, Gordan, Johnson-Holmes,
Cons: Harrison 2
Pens: Harrison 3
Teams:
Western Force: 15 Jake Strachan, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Richard Kahui, 11 Brad Lacey, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ian Prior (captain), 8 Brynard Stander, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Henry Stowers, 5 Fergus Lee Warner, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Tom Sheminant, 19 Johan Bardoul, 20 Ollie Atkins, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Nick Jooste, 23 Jack McGregor.
Waratahs: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 James Ramm, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachie Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (captain), 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Te Tetera Faulkner, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19 Ned Hanigan, 20 Hugh Sinclair, 21 Mitch Short, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joey Walton.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper, Amy Perrett
TMO: Brett Cronan