NSW Waratahs have kept pace with the Brumbies at the top of Super Rugby’s Australian conference with a nine-try 57-12 demolition of Japan’s Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.
The bonus-point win brought NSW level on points with the Brumbies, who also picked up the full five points with victory over Queensland on Friday night and remain top by virtue of having nine wins to the Waratahs’ eight.
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Halfback Matt Lucas and winger Reece Robinson both bagged a two tries for NSW, who were scrappy early but blossomed as the match progressed.
Robinson’s double came in the space of three minutes early in the second half to put the Tahs out of sight after they took a 26-12 lead into the break.
An energetic Sunwolves enjoyed an early edge in possession and capitalised on some poor discipline by the Tahs to lead 9-7.
One of their three penalties was a massive 57m effort from South African fullback Riaan Viljoen.
However, the Tahs’ superior execution, ability to offload and good support play proved decisive.
Outside centre Israel Folau, Lucas and five-eighth Bernard Foley manufactured plenty of opportunities on the back of strong forward play, with the Sunwolves guilty of falling off too many one-on-one tackles.
Converted tries to Lucas and flanker Jack Dempsey gave the Waratahs a 14-9 advantage and they played with more confidence and precision as the match progressed.
Folau, who produced another classy effort in his new role and his successor at fullback Andrew Kellaway, each beat several defenders to score tries before the break.
Robinson’s two five-pointers were followed by tries to Lucas, reserve back Matt Carraro and winger Taqele Naiyaravoro, who was sin-binned in the first half for taking out a kick-chaser.
Scott
Guest
Foley is not critiqued as objectively as others, that is the issue! Now Foley has strengths, and has played some very good games for the Wallabies, but many don't believe he has the alround game to be a consistently good Test 10.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Foley makes errors like other players do. He is not lampooned by the media for those errors like others are. That's the demonstration of the double standards. The most important point is that Foley should not be more heavily scrutinised.
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
What a ridiculous post. Foley's "the demonstration" of others' "double standards".? You sound like Alan Jones.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's because they probably have not seen any of the pro-Foley crap that's been pushed in Australia. Without all the media saturation of him being labelled the "iceman" and how he's safer, doesn't make bad errors, etc there's absolutely no reason to dislike foley. As a player he does nothing worse than any of his contemporaries. But those contemporaries aren't thrust this unwarranted reputation. It's not really about Foley at all. Just about those that seem to hold the double standards. Foley's just the demonstration of them.
riddler
Roar Rookie
ej well said.. i am qlder that has bled on ballymore too many times, usually due to my own inabilities it has to be said, and not all of us born north of the tweed don't take such childish and sad positions.. am in the northern hemisphere for donkeys now.. but all of my french, uk rugby mates don't get the whole anti-foley crap..
jeznez
Roar Guru
That was a shocker, very surprised he threw another one like that and was lucky his mates cleaned up for him. Needs to recite as a mantra the old adage. DON'T SHOVEL SHEET!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah it was strange WB. Almost like the broadcasters were unaware that Japan is actually in the northern hemisphere.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah just imagine. Personally I can't imagine watching a game hoping that somebody fails. Celebrating their errors. All because of the state I was born in. And due to some misguided "duty" to remind all and sundry that one player was unnecessarily lambasted, so I must do the same to anyone else in his position. Even when he is representing my country.
Lostintokyo
Guest
Agreed, too hot. Players OK, but I got horribly sunburnt.
abdul
Guest
The highlight for me was when "Free Ride" Foley flung the ball back to no-one, again, when under pressure at the back. Imagine the comments if another fly half had done that. Bit of a habit lately with THE ICEMAN.
John
Guest
Haha!! Enjoy your weekend TWAS, Folau embarrasses you again.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Did he defend at fullback all game again?
John
Guest
Was referencing the world's best 13 TWAS, picking up where he left off schooling the Chiefs, but you knew that...
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Madness to schedule this game at 1 pm local time in the middle of summer. 35 degrees is crazy. Why couldn't the Broadcasters go with a game tonight ? Tahs sloppy in first half but found there groove in the second. Huge game against the Canes next weekend.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They must be good to thrash the Sunwolves. Nobody has managed to do that this year...
John
Guest
TWAS???