Tahs edge out Brumbies in tough Super 14 trial
By Liam FitzGibbon, 5 Feb 2010 Liam FitzGibbon is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
The NSW Waratahs rounded out their Super 14 preparations with a hard-fought 15-7 win over the Brumbies in a trial match at Viking Oval in Canberra on Thursday night.
In a hotly-contested and sometimes heated hit-out played in front of almost 4,500 fans, the `Tahs overcame plenty of pressure from the home side to get a solid hitout and make it two wins from three trials heading into next weekend’s opening round.
Waratahs captain Phil Waugh played down the importance of the win, but said the tough contest was the perfect preparation for next Saturday’s season-opener against Queensland.
“I think everyone’s just trying to get a blow out, get the air in the lungs and we’re all focused on next week,” Waugh said.
“I think both teams are in pretty good condition now to head into the competition.”
Brumbies number eight Stephan Hoiles was also keen to play down ACT’s second straight trial loss.
“The boys will be sore tomorrow but we’re not going to get an easy game against the Force (in round one),” he said.
“I think that was as close to Super 14 match conditions as you’re going to get.”
Waugh opened the scoring, crashing over in the seventh minute after NSW’s all-star forward pack forced their way over the line from the scrum.
But the Brumbies hit back only four minutes later, with winger Francis Fainifo breaking the line with a dangerous run and setting up fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Berrick Barnes, who impressed again at flyhalf, gave the visitors the lead in the 26th minute, opting to take a shot at goal when awarded a penalty 35m out, the decision earning boos from the vocal home crowd.
ACT survived a stack of late pressure from the Waratahs to head into the break trailing by just one but couldn’t capitalise on several chances in the second half.
Instead it was NSW who added to the scoreboard again, with the injection of speedy winger Peter Betham proving the gamebreaker.
He made a stunning run from well inside his own half, stepping and slicing though the Brumbies defence and turning the ball inside for Josh Holmes to score.
Brumbies coach Andy Friend opted not to risk his two highest-profile signings, Wallabies duo Rocky Elsom (hamstring) and Matt Giteau (quad) due to minor problems, while NSW coach Chris Hickey also erred on the side of caution with prize recruit Drew Mitchell (hamstring).
Kurtley Beale came on in the second half for NSW after a last-minute flight to Canberra due to his assault court case being adjourned to June.
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Jameswm said | February 5th 2010 @ 8:12am | Report comment
So was anyone there?
Simmo said | February 5th 2010 @ 8:46am | Report comment
I was. It wasn’t great
Who Needs Melon said | February 5th 2010 @ 8:33am | Report comment
I hear about 4000 were there.
I also hear that Chris Hickey said before the game that the new interpretations of the laws would require a period of ”bedding down” before their effect began to show. Sounds like we have our excuses almost worked out. NOW we’re ready for the Super 14!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | February 5th 2010 @ 8:54am | Report comment
“Bedding down”? When Hickey was appointed I hoped that we’d found a coach who could take the team to the next level. Otherwise why dump E.Mc? What we got was woeful stuff that saw us miss out on much needed bonus points.
This year, with 3 away games, the Tahs need to hit the ground running. No more excuses!
Terry Kidd said | February 5th 2010 @ 9:27am | Report comment
Yeah, I’m not very impressed with Hickey he seems to be very cautious and lacking in ideas …. it took him most of last season to work out that Carter at 12 was stifling anything they attempted in the backs and yet I don’t blame Carter for this as he seems the sort who will attempt to carry out the coaches instructions to the letter.
The Tahs have speed to burn in the back three being able to chose players like Anesi, Turner, Mitchell and Betham. They have potential for organization and skill with a 10-12 combination of Barnes and Beale. They have good options for 13 with Carter, Horne and Sidey. The only bottleneck would appear to be 9, where Burgess must show huge improvement, where I have little faith in Holmes (I don’t think he is up to S14 standard at 9 or 12) and where McKibbin is unproven.
Did Burgess play last night? How did he go? I know Holmes played, apart from backing up a break, how did he go? Did McKibbin get a run?
How long will it take Hickey to ditch Burgess if the backline are catching cold waiting for the ball? If Hickey lives up to his current record it may be another season of missed bonus points.
reds fan said | February 5th 2010 @ 9:32am | Report comment
GEORGE SMITH TO RETIRE AFTER SUPER 14. RELEASE GRANTED.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/05/2811067.htm
Who Needs Melon said | February 5th 2010 @ 9:53am | Report comment
NOOOoooo….
Jeez he still has a LOT to give. And with a World Cup around the corner, seems odd.
I was hoping he would become the most capped player ever too.
reds fan said | February 5th 2010 @ 9:57am | Report comment
I had fully expected he would play on to the next World Cup.
Brett McKay said | February 5th 2010 @ 10:02am | Report comment
wonder how many phone calls Julian Salvi’s had this morning….
Big surprise for me too, I had naturally assumed Smith would play on to the RWC next year too…
reds fan said | February 5th 2010 @ 10:06am | Report comment
God I hope Deans goes for youth and doesn’t give that sorry excuse Waugh another cap. I stare therefore I am.
Rockin Rod said | February 5th 2010 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
Wouldnt they go after pocock before Salvi
ohtani's jacket said | February 5th 2010 @ 10:11am | Report comment
End of an era to be sure. I wonder if he’s coming to Japan.
Brett McKay said | February 5th 2010 @ 9:46am | Report comment
I was there last night, braving the rain, great to see a little ground almost packed. The game wasn’t flash, admittedly, but I was impressed with both the Barnes-Halangahu and Toomua-Lealiifano 10-12 combos. It was hard to follow in the second half with so many replacements, but there was a highlight of Tom Carter getting dumped on his head. Of course, being the upstanding human he is, he ran 40m at the next “disagreement” to get square with whoever it was..
The biggest worry of the night was the Tah’s new strip. Two words, people: HIGHLIGHTER BLUE…….
Rockin Rod said | February 5th 2010 @ 5:42pm | Report comment
How did the young kid McCaffrey go? I hear big raps on him
Sam Taulelei said | February 5th 2010 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Wow, that’s huge news and totally unexpected. He’s been a massive servant for the Brumbies and Wallabies and a constant thorn in the side of all Kiwi teams he played against. I’m sorry to see him go, I’ve enjoyed watching him play even if he stole the ball from us too many times for my liking. Preferred it when he played with dreads.
Mike G said | February 5th 2010 @ 10:21am | Report comment
What a shame…GS, a true warrior & one of only a small number of Wallabies players that is seriously respected worldwide…As has been said, I too just assumed he’d be there for RWC 2011 to annoy the AB’s & win it for us in the second half (you’d have to say Pocock is the #1 #7 now)…I reserve judgement on PW, this could be the carrot he needs to have a MASSIVE S14
Mike G said | February 5th 2010 @ 10:22am | Report comment
Obviously I meant from the noughties…
Rickety Knees said | February 5th 2010 @ 10:44am | Report comment
I reckon Waugh is the one who likes to play forwards oriented “ugly” rugby and Hickey perhaps does not have the strength of personality to tell Waugh otherwise.
I will miss George Smith – he is he quintessential warrior. A great Rugby Player a greater man.
Mike G said | February 5th 2010 @ 10:49am | Report comment
Agreed RK, it’s why I said the other week it was strange how much favour Carter has been given come selection time (when clearly he wasn’t performing), as I suspect PW has too much say…As you touch on, hopefuly Hickey has grown them now & will stand up to PW if required
Benny said | February 5th 2010 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
Win ugly or lose pretty – isn’t a tough call to make when jobs are on the line.
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | February 5th 2010 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
“A great Rugby Player a greater man.”
Couldn’t agree more Ricketty….well said
J said | February 6th 2010 @ 3:34am | Report comment
Hows that betham guy? he looks dam good and suprised the waratahs have not offerd him a contract.