New South Wales remained undefeated in this year’s Super 14 when they beat Queensland 15-11 in a poor quality match yesterday.
After trailing 10-11 at halftime, the Waratahs scored the only try of the second period to record an unconvincing win over the Reds.
The Reds looked close to pulling off a huge upset when they were still in front deep into the second half but as fatigue began to take effect, the mistakes began to flow.
The Waratahs finally hit the front when replacement Timana Tahu crossed out wide with 15 minutes to go and Queensland were unable to respond.
The Reds started the match by throwing the ball around at every opportunity and got into the NSW 22 a number of times but the home side’s defense was too strong and eventually the Waratahs’ forwards began to assert their authority.
From an attacking line-out deep inside the Reds’ territory, No. 8 Wycliff Palu drove towards the line and when he was stopped, prop Ben Robinson picked it up and steamrollered his way under the posts.
The Waratahs looked like taking control as the Reds’ scrum and line-out began to struggle.
However, on 18 minutes the Reds broke clear in attack and a desperate NSW gave away a penalty right in front.
Ben Lucas kicked the penalty to make it 7-3 to the Waratahs, then added a second penalty three minutes later after NSW again transgressed with the Reds deep in attack.
With the clock ticking down towards halftime, NSW lost the ball forward on their own 22 and from the ensuing scrum, the Queenslanders completed a simple backline move for winger Peter Hynes to cross in the corner.
The Waratahs took the lead when Peter Hynes spilled a high ball straight into the arms of Timana Tahu, who crossed in the corner.
Meanwhile, the Waikato Chiefs secured their first win of the Super 14 season with a scrappy 31-13 win over the Western Force yesterday.
The New Zealand team put the icing on the cake with a bonus point try to replacement Colin Bourke in the dying seconds, despite the Force having the better of much of the second spell.
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