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The Waratahs have slugged out a two point victory over the Reds to leave the Queenslanders winless for the 2016 season so far.
A 69th minute penalty goal from Bernanrd Foley was enough for the Tahs to break their two match losing streak, holding on in the last ten minuets to pick up the four points.
The Reds dominated early proceedings, bunkering down in the opposition 22 with a barrage of scrums against the weaker NSW forward pack. It took nearly ten minutes and five penalties in the scrum for the Reds to be awarded the penalty try and take the early lead.
Their joy wouldn’t last though and despite holding onto nearly 80% of possession in the opening quarter of the game, the Waratahs hit back just six minutes later through Israel Folau in the left corner to reduce the lead.
An up and down opening 40 from both sides looked like ending with a slim Reds lead, however, a late break against the run of play led by Jed Holloway was finished off by Folau who bagged a first half brace to take his side into the sheds on top.
If you thought the first half was a bit sloppy, the second half would have given you a heart attack. Errors galore from both sides made for tough viewing as the two Australian sides slugged it out for the share of penalty goals.
Andrew Ready was the big talking point just after the break, being handed a yellow card for some very suspicious knees connecting with the back of Hugh Roach’s noggin, leading to a few scuffles as tensions began to build in the wet conditions.
Nine points in the second half, all penalties, were all that got the Tahs home in the end in certainly one of the more sluggish games of rugby in recent times.
Waratahs captain Michael Hooper praised his side after the game for “winning and average game” despite the tough grind.
The Reds will take a week off for the bye while the Waratahs go home for another Aussie derby against the Rebels next week.
Final Score:
Reds – 13 (Penalty TRY 13′. PEN McIntyre 46′, 50′)
Waratahs – 15 (TRY Folau 19′, 40′. PEN Foley 69′)
The Reds will play host to the Waratahs this afternoon in Brisbane, looking to avenge their 30-10 loss from Round 1 against their southern neighbours. Join The Roar from 4:05pm (AEDT) to catch every try, goal and tackle coming out of Suncorp stadium.
The Reds haven’t beaten the Tahs in their last six encounters, dating back to July 2013, but the NSW men are coming into the fixture off the back of two straight losses, going down to the Brumbies and Highlanders, with a bye in between.
Despite their recent form, the Waratahs will be buoyed by the return of Wallaby fly half Bernard Foley, who returns from a shoulder injury.
Despite the return of Foley, the big talking point out of their camp during the week has been the axing of big man and Wallaby lock Will Skelton.
The Auckland born Skelton will ply his trade for Sydney Uni in the Shute Shield this weekend after coach Daryl Gibson let him go, saying, “Will’s had a slow start to the season and around that I really wanted him to get 80 minutes of game time under the belt.”
The Reds are yet to enjoy a victory so far this season, being one of just three teams in the competition yet to register a win, and the only side in the Australian conference.
Richard Graham’s men went down in a two point thriller against the Melbourne Rebels two weeks ago, before being forced to share the points with the Blues in Round 4, ending in a draw with 25 points a piece.
In team news, the return of Foley has pushed Kurtley Beale to inside centre, meaning 21-year old David Horwitz will move back to the reserves.
Matt Carraro will make way for Reece Robinson on the wing, who has been given his first run on start since his switch from the NRL at the end of last season.
Scoring a hat trick last week off the bench, Jed Holloway has been rewarded with a starting spot against the Reds, taking the No.8 position from Wallaby Wycliff Palu.
Vice Captain Dave Dennis has been shuffled into the second row to make room for Jack Dempsey at blindside flanker. Ten year Waratah and Wallaby veteran Benn Robinson will return to the squad after missing action for a concussion in the previous weeks.
The Reds will also be welcoming back some Wallabies of their own with Liam Gill, James Slipper and Saia Fainga’a all coming into the forward pack.
While Gill takes his place at openside flanker after suffering from lower back troubles, Slipper and fellow Wallaby forward Fainga’a will come off the reserves bench.
“It’s good to be able to welcome back three seasoned players who have a lot of experience in these interstate clashes,” Reds co-coach Nick Stiles said.
“We were bitterly disappointed to not get the win last weekend and Sunday’s match gives us another opportunity to reward our fans with a good performance at home.”
Prediction
The Reds are at home and hungry as ever to get their season kick started, however, a Waratahs side coming off a couple of losses and a returning Bernard Foley will be very difficult to overcome.
Reds – 18
Waratahs – 22
Can the Reds redeem their Round 1 loss to their interstate rivals? Or will the Tahs take the points away from home? Find out this afternoon from 4:05pm (AEDT) for all the highlights and action on The Roar.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.