Wallabies winger Rob Horne scored three tries, as defending Super Rugby champions the NSW Waratahs beat the Chiefs 38-36 on Friday in a trial match at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Tahs, who started the game with 13 Test players in their run-on side, scored six tries to four against a Chiefs side missing seven All Blacks.
Sonny Bill Williams came on at halftime to give the crowd of 5103 the chance to see him and another dual international, Israel Folau, play on the same field for the first time in more than seven years, but almost all of the fireworks came in a frenetic first half.
The Waratahs scored five tries to three in a breathless half, which ended with them holding a 33-28 lead.
While the Chiefs took two early penalty shots for goal, both teams were keen to exploit the full width of the ground, with all four wingers crossing by the 20-minute mark.
The back three scored four of those tries for the Tahs, with giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro triggering the glut with his third five-pointer in two trials.
Fellow winger Horne crossed twice before the break, fullback Folau once and impressive back-rower Jacques Potgieter crashed his way over after the halftime siren.
The Chiefs recovered from an early 14-3 deficit to score 18 straight points and lead by seven.
Wingers Hosea Gear and Bryce Heem crossed the Waratahs’ stripe, the latter’s try set up by lock Michael Fitzgerald, who notched a five-pointer of his own after charging down a kick from Waratahs five-eighth Bernard Foley.
However, Foley quickly atoned by setting up Horne’s second try and Potgieter’s score meant NSW finished the half with 12 straight points.
Waratahs captain Dave Dennis, who was making his return from a third knee reconstruction, was on earlier than expected after 16 minutes, when Mitchell Chapman was forced off with a facial injury.
The Wallabies’ back-rower slotted into the second row and took some clean lineout ball in the 40 minutes he played.
The second half was less frantic than the first, with both teams making multiple changes and Waratahs and Wallabies lock Will Skelton spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin for deliberate offside.
The Chiefs cut the Waratahs’ lead to two with a penalty, but Horne’s third try gave them a bigger buffer.
Flanker Tevita Kolomatangi scored in the 74th minute, but Damian McKenzie missed the conversion and a subsequent 45-metre penalty attempt in the final 30 seconds.
fly on the wall
Guest
There was a definite interference to stop the live stream from the broadcast rights holder. In my opinion the broadcaster owns the rights to show the product. If they give up showing the product then they give up the rights, as is their duty to promote and showed the game, which held significant interest. Well done to Bar TV for getting on the front foot, and distributing the content to most of the online media who would take it, which included TahTV, Fairfax, GAGR, and this fine publication. Regarding the game - Beale was unbelievable in the back line and potgetier was the best of the forwards.
Chivas
Guest
Yes OB I understand the practicalities, building into the season etc. 30 odd seasons playing for various clubs... that doesn't change regardless of grade or level. But as a Wakato supporter since Bam bam and Arthur Stone, much like yourself I have seen some horrible inconsistency. From euphoric highs to humiliating lows and sometimes over two weeks. For mine they came apart at the seams a bit last year about midway through and never seemed to get back on track. I don't mind if thet peak late in the season as long as there appears to be a plan and not some rotational bs at the business end. For personal enjoyment, I also would like to think they have got through most of their trialling :-)
firstxv
Guest
Still points grabbing though, just as telling is having 13 W's start versus 7 ABs missing...suggests greater depth and potential to come.
Buzzard
Guest
I'm a Reds & All Blacks fan. Just HATE the Tahs that's all!
DelaNightmares
Guest
Not gloating mate just commenting on buzzards post about the tahs winning the S15 the wallabies taking out the RC, bledisloe and WC. Not impossible but probably more of a dream. With me now sunshine?
DaniE
Roar Guru
No, considering the kerfuffle over the livestreaming (which didn't happen) - check the Waratahs FB for info. Not happy Jan!
winston
Guest
Any highlights available?
Gatesy
Guest
Just bloody bring it on ....! Can't wait, and go the Brums!!
RobC
Roar Guru
Well done Horne. Keep it up
Dally M
Guest
Tahs also turned down every opportunity to kick for goal on penalties while the Chiefs took all theirs.
Old Bugger
Guest
Agreed. All things being equal, if your team starts with all players fit and raring to go, then opening round trialling is unacceptable for all the supporters......but sadly, all things are not equal and some players are still suffer niggling injuries, some players are on national sabbaticals and some players (newbies) still need time to familiarise themselves with the SR comp. Plus, I half suspect that coaches plan to have their teams peak much later in the season rather than the start....its a gimme, but nothing I worry about too much at the start. The worry beads begin to come out in mid season if my team's table position looks like its heading south, instead of heading north.
Chivas
Guest
True that. I just hate it when teams I support are still trialling in the opening rounds. Hope the Chiefs get off to a blinder and then hold there bottle though the mid to later part of the comp :-)
Old Bugger
Guest
well said mate....last thing any side needs is any injuries.....early days yet and trials provide indicators for the players and coaches on opportunities to blow out the cobwebs from fitness levels to mistake levels and to get everyone's mindsets up to premium, for the new season. Nothing more, nothing less.....
firstxv
Guest
Well I certainly havent. If we went with that the Saders are definitely out of the running and the Blues may as well give up. All I can take from that is the tahs look to be pointing similarly to last year at this stage and the Chiefs look a better side than last year...they certainly are on paper and this must be seen as a positive start, after dealing to the Blues last week as well. Just good to see no injuries from either side that I know of.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I was at the game played at a very fast pace good hit-out for all concerned :-)
Loyal Tah Fan
Guest
Another smug kiwi gloating. Unfortunately it's not a dream as we seem to have to endure rubbish comments from buzzard and his mates on just about every article. Congratulations, we all recognise that the AB's are a great team and the wallabies have a bit of work to do to reach their level. I haven't heard anyone overly optimistic after this trial result however your insecurity seems to force you to make your smug sarcastic comment.
DelaNightmares
Guest
At least dreams are free :-)
Buzzard
Guest
What a great fantastic win over the NZ powerhouse the Chiefs. The Tahs will definitely go back to back and win their second Super rugby title. This will lead to the Wallabies winning the rugby championship & Bledisloe Cup. Then the Wallabies becoming the first nation to win 3 RWCs. . . . . . . . Then I woke up!
firstxv
Guest
yeah alright Kuruki looks like we might have to give you that one. Why we arent playing such an important points game at Eden park I dont know. Chiefs away without their ABs versus the Tahs lost on a missed penalty? Not a bad effort despite these prelim games hard to take anything from. SBW is certainly throwing the gauntlet down to Nonu early.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Cant wait for round 1 give those Aucklanders the Blues.