South African recruit Sarel Pretorius made a strong debut for the Waratahs in a convincing 83-5 Super Rugby trial victory over Samoa A in Tamworth on Friday.
The halfback didn’t figure on the scoreboard but looked very sharp in a game used as an experiment by new Waratahs coach Michael Foley.
Pretorius was well-supported by Berrick Barnes as the Waratahs opened up a 38-5 lead by halftime when both teams made wholesale changes at Scully Park.
Tom Carter crossed twice on the back of strong drives, while Damien Fitzpatrick posted a second-half hat-trick.
All up the Waratahs scored 13 tries but will be concerned by a hamstring injury to winger Lachie Turner, which will be assessed on Saturday.
The Samoan selection was lacking star players on duty with their European clubs.
NSW coach Foley was pretty happy with the performance, particularly the discipline of both selections he used.
“It was very encouraging in terms of the discipline both (Waratahs) teams showed in difficult conditions,” he said of the rainy conditions.
“The two teams stuck to what we wanted to focus on.
“The ball movement early was good from us and the ability to adjust when the conditions changed was a tribute to the halves.
“That’s not to forget the forwards. They set a good platform.”
Johnno
Guest
Surprised the warpaths had such a stupid pre season match preparation. I doubt this is really event he true Samoa A. Maybe samoa 4th best side. The tahs should of played an aussie team.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I have to admit that the red in the jerseys of the Samoa A team had me wondering if I had my facts wrong about who the Tahs were playing. Hopefully Foley & Co understand that this comp will come down to correct use of the entire squad. With that in mind I'd like to see them pull Lachie to get his hammy 100% right, and give someone else a crack on the wing.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I was keen to see where they played AAC. Maybe I need to visit OPSM, but it looks like he didn't get a run or even make the bench. Is he injured or something?
Rugbug
Guest
Very hard to read anything into this scoreline for obvious reasons but fingers crossed the Tahs play to their potential and whilst not go all the way (I need my team to win its been a long time between drinks for me )I hope they can come close :-)
roger
Guest
the waratahs is a professional rugby franchise..the samoa a side is made up of farmers and taxi drivers..also the waratahs put on 38 players..
p.Tah
Guest
HSBC Waratahs 83 (tries: Carter 2, Brackin-Henry, Turner, McCutcheon, Kepu, McKibbin, Trist, Browne, Fitzpatrick 3, Hodge, cons: Barnes 4, Halangahu 5) d Samoa 5 (tries: Mapusaga ) at Scully Park, Tamworth. Half-time: HSBC Waratahs 38 - 5 Samoa. HSBC Waratahs – first XV 1. Sekope Kepu (Randwick), 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta), 3. Paddy Ryan (Sydney University), 4. Dean Mumm (Sydney University), 5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), 6. Dave Dennis (Sydney University), 7. Chris Alcock (Eastwood), 8. Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University, vice captain), 9. Sarel Pretorius (N/A), 10. Berrick Barnes (Sydney University), captain, 11. Tom Kingston (Sydney University)12. Tom Carter (Sydney University), 13. Rob Horne (Southern Districts), 14. Lachie Turner (Eastwood), 15. Brackin Karauria-Henry (Southern Districts) HSBC Waratahs – second XV 1. Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University), 2. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood), 3. John Ulugia (Southern Districts), 4. Richard Stanford (Eastern Suburbs)*, 5. Greg Peterson (Manly), 6. Tevita Metuisela (Manly), 7. Seilala Lam (Randwick)*, 8. Lopeti Timani (Southern Districts), 9. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs), vice captain, 10. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University, captain), 11. Peter Betham (Sydney University)*, 12. Bernard Foley (Sydney University), 13. Michael Hodge (Sydney University)*, 14. Nathan Trist (Sydney University), 15. Toby Browne (Randwick)* Replacements 16. Damien Fitzpatrick/Seilala Lam, 17. Lotu Taukeiaho (Randwick), 18. Liam Winton (Sydney University)*, 19. Jono Jenkins (Sydney University)*, 20. Grayson Hart (Southern Districts), 21. Jesse Leota (Parramatta)*, 22. Tom Hill (Gordon) Referees: Steve Walsh, James Leckie Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner, Will Houston, Darrell Jones, Daniel Kahl. Crowd: 4,000 (capacity)
Brendon
Guest
Go onto the actual roar website and go to rugby. It's on an older post about waratahs vs Samoa -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Geoff Brisbane now California
Guest
Can you tell us the 2 squads for this game please.