The defending champion Waratahs scrapped their way to a first win of the Super Rugby season with a hard-fought 38-28 victory over the Melbourne Rebels.
After last week’s disappointment in their opening round loss to the Western Force the Waratahs banked their first competition points in the AAMI Park clash.
Waratahs centre Kurtley Beale put on a vintage display to seal the victory.
After temporarily leaving the field following a head-knock the former Rebel set up his team’s first try with a deft chip kick over the defence which he collected and then off-loaded to Stephen Hoiles.
He then scored a 73rd minute try that broke a 28-28 deadlock.
NSW winger Taqele Naiyaravoro had a mixed night – scoring two second half tries, but was also yellow-carded for a deliberate foul when the Rebels were on the attack.
The Rebels were looking for their first back-to-back wins to start a season and threw everything at the visitors but came up agonisingly short.
It was another impressive display after their wooden-spoon finish last season.
The Waratahs clung to a 16-14 halftime lead, which should have been more but for a try after the buzzer by Rebel Lopeti Timani.
In a stand-out match the lock dived over the line after halfback Luke Burgess stole the ball from a Waratahs scrum.
Earlier Melbourne skipper Scott Higginbotham found a gaping hole off a nothing play to touch down for the first of the match in the 12th minute.
Both sides got plenty of try-scoring action in the second half with Naiyaravoro’s double, while Burgess and Melbourne-born winger Sefanaia Naivalu also crossed.
But Beale broke the Rebels’ hearts after a break by five-eighth Bernard Foley, who also added a late penalty for the 10-point margin.
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika said his team’s performance was a huge improvement on last week’s showing, particularly their physicality.
“We earnt our way back into the game or ahead just through some old-fashioned grunt,” he said.
“I was disappointed in our physicality last week and needed to see more.”
He said the way the team held its nerve when Naiyaravoro was sin-binned was key to the win.
“We were wobbling a bit and Dave got the team together and we held our nerve and we were able to edge ahead and that was really good character and that’s the way you earn back your self-belief.”
The Rebels were left to rue some missed opportunities with five-eighth Jack Debreczeni missing a long-range penalty attempt in the 71st penalty.
He was only taking the kick because their usual kicker, sharp-shooter Mike Harris, was forced off after a heavy hit by NSW skipper Dave Dennis.
“It was huge,” said Melbourne coach Tony McGahan.
“We readily expected Jack to get that but if Mike’s on the field there, it’s 31-28 with a few minutes to go, it’s a big difference.”
Jerry
Guest
Come on Roar editors, that was a great joke! Now it looks like I talk like Cheech and Chong.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I don't disagree with that point Jay. I never did. For mine both Toomua and CLL are our best picks for 12 at International level. I'd still have Beale in my WC squad but he'll have to step up to make the final 23.
Jerry
Guest
That ball was so far out, in my opinion. But TTD is wrong, he didn't invent a law, he made a mistake in regards to the facts.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Peter I think we have to agree to disagree on this matter.
PeterK
Roar Guru
The ball was clearly off the ground in the players hands. The ref made a wrong decision simple as that. The brumby player intent was clear to steal the ball out of the chiefs players hands, very good play punished.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
It was a close call. On another day the Brumbies player may have got away with it however his intent was clear and the referee's reasoning was clear.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Except he dived at the ball when the player had picked it in his hands, totally legal. Poor decision.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree totally legal and a good ploy. Good tactical thinking. Just like lineouts not committing to a maul and stepping back, causing obstruction when they place the ball back.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Jerry – Totally agree re the Brumbies they have learnt to be very cynical c.h.e.ats like the best kiwi sides. I do wish these obvious intentional c.h.e.ats were mandatory yellow cards , you can clearly see the player does not have the ball, he is past you chasing a ball and you grab a jersey. Blatant c.h.e.ating, mandatory yellow every time. It would stop it.
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
fair enough ej, I take your point... and since you don't seem to get my point, I'll try and explain it a little better - it's all about perspective... yes, Beale had an impressive game and I'm certain he'll make everyone's "team of the week" at 12... but I'd actually rate Lealiifano's performance against the Cheifs as superior if we're talking about test level (and let's face it, the "team of the week" is all about picking who were the best players of the round that would form the current Wallabies side week by week). so while beale's performance was very, very good... it wasn't a performance that would cut it at the next level up.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Diving on the ball is of course not illegal however diving on a ball as it is coming out of a ruck is. The commentators were talking rubbish in this instance.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
The incidents you and bennalong refer to in regard to the Chiefs Brumbies game occurred in the first 30 sec of the match. It did look unusual. I believe what has happened here is that the Chiefs have made a definite decision to test the reaction of the referee. Clearly 3 Chief players blatantly run onto the Brumbies side of the first tackle of the match. The referee did nothing and rightly so. The Chiefs players had not infringed. There was no offside line. There was a tackle but no ruck had formed thus there was no offside line. The second tackle the same occurred however this time the referee penalised them for being offside as he had decided there was a ruck formed. Again in the 21st minute the Chiefs put this to the test. There was a tackle but no ruck and the referee was clearly heard saying "you’re right ..play on". So it was clearly a ploy by the Chiefs in this match to test the water if you like. It will be interesting to see how referees and other teams react to this. We noticed it so surely the professionals have as well.
Jerry
Guest
"Chiefs classic against Brumbies." And of course, Brumbies classic against Chiefs about 20 minutes later. Why am I surprised you highlighted the former?
Sam
Guest
Sefanaia Naivulu for the Rebels Osborne such player. He scored a try on Friday night
Trans Tasman Diplomat
Guest
Btw the way they weren't Fox commentators. They were Sky commentators, incl Nesbo with one eye black the other eye closed. Astounding to say the least that that the crew commentating for an audience in three countries could not mention Messam's blatant gamesmanship. Not to mention Aussie Walsh who looked lost when he wasn't inventing laws to gift the Chiefs 3 points. Even the sky commentators couldn't ignore that one. 'Diving on the ball' is now illegal? Chiefs will rise above the Saders this year on the back of their newfound cynicism. Oh, and they also play rugby, and well.
Billy Bob
Guest
Astounding I agree. They were baiting White and Walsh to mess with their heads. Should've been yellow on the spot for blatant flaunting of the law.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I think what people are getting at Jay is there doesn't seem to be any point in your constant berating of Beale. Instead of acknowledging that the guy had a good game and leaving it at that, you raise the fact that he hasn't had a good game (in your opinion) at international level since 2010. It's pretty irrelevant to the game being analysed. Kinda like the guys who acknowledge that Cooper had a good game, BUT he kicked the ball out on the full in a RWC semi in 2011 so therefore he is actually a bad player. Backhanded compliments as bennalong puts it expressed in a spiteful manner.
mikeylives
Guest
OK - just read your edited list, which has 3 first-choice Tahs. I would have Phipps ahead of White.
mikeylives
Guest
IF in form is an odd comment. That list could be completely different depending on both injuries AND form.
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
sorry bennalong, but I stand by what I say... Beale hasn't performed consistently well at International level since around 2010/2011... if you can name 3 games in a row in the last 3 years that he's had anywhere near the impact he had in the Tah's/Rebels game then I'll take it back. He did have a good game on Friday, no doubt about that, but it wasn't the kind of game that would cut the mustard at international level. That is my point. a difference of opinion doesn't make me a "hater", it just means I have a different opinion. If you disagree, try articulating why I'm wrong.