A Ned Hanigan try after the full-time siren has given the NSW Waratahs a winning start to their Super Rugby campaign after a tough 34-27 win against the Stormers at Allianz Stadium.
The Stormers came to Sydney looking for their fifth consecutive win on Australian soil which has never been done by a South African team previously.
The Waratahs were looking to avoid their fifth consecutive loss in Super rugby after a disastrous 2017 season.
A Bernard Foley penalty gave the Waratahs an early lead after the first ten minutes saw both teams trying to find their way into the game.
The Stormers however hit back through some enterprising play with Raymond Rhule throwing an inside ball for prop Steven Kitschoff crashing over for his first ever Super Rugby try and expertly converted by SP Marais.
The Waratahs immediately took the lead back with a leaping Israel Folau brilliantly gathering the ball from a Foley kick and racing 40 metres to score.
In the 29th minute, from a line-out skipper Michael Hooper broke of the maul and crossed the line giving the Waratahs a handy seven point lead.
But as was the case for the entire match, the end to end football continued with Stormers flanker Kobus Van Dyk staying just on the field of play after collecting a smart chip from scrum-half Dewaldt Duvenage to score in the corner. Both teams went to the break locked at 17-17.
The second half started favourably for the Waratahs with a strong Curtis Rona run and offload seeing hooker Damien Fitzpatrick putting the Waratahs ahead once again.
But as the half went on, the Stormers started to assert their ascendancy especially during scrum time with multiple penalties conceded by the Waratahs for collapsing early.
This was a common problem last year as well. Outstanding work by Stormer No.8, Nizaam Carr from the scrum saw Marais dart over.
NSW lock Rob Simmons was then handed a stint on the bin after an infringement at the line-out. The sin-binning seemed to have re-invigorated the Waratahs after they repelled multiple attacks and staged some of their own with 14 men.
As the match seemed to be heading for a draw, a line-out mistake by the Stormers deep in their own territory saw Hanigan score after the hooter giving the Waratahs a much needed 34-27 win.
Waratahs 34
Stormers 27
Shakti Gounden
Roar Guru
Ha! No worries mate. Just a match report. Was not a feature. But all is well!
John R
Guest
Fitness is related to a minor injury apparently
John R
Roar Guru
Yes but he still had a terrible game (according to Piru) because the Tahs let in 27 points. I didn't realise it until he pointed it out to me, but the fullback actually has MORE responsibility than any other player to stop tries coming in.
John R
Roar Guru
So Kurtley's banana kick to put Rona over was a Stormers error... hooookeeeeyyyy doke.
Uncle Eric
Guest
Tez, if it's the shoulder charge penalty I'm thinking of the player actually used arms in the tackle. In my view it should have been play on, not a penalty.
Chukling
Guest
Hehe... I did sound like a grumpy old whinging fart didn't I Shakti and you defo didn't deserve the serve. Sorry, I sometimes wake up angry on Sunday after the Tahs game so old habits die hard. ;)
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Cotterel, RossHP, Korsyck, Timani, Dempsey, Not sure about Naiasarani and Valantini's status, Cotterel, RHP and Ned are proficient 2nd Rowers which is needed when you have a dual 7 Backrow Dempsey and Isi are good in the air..
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I am trying to figure where this love affair for Maddocks at 10 is coming from. Just because the commentators spruke it doesn't necessarily make it fact. Maddocks @15 and MacGregor @10 made a great combo for the Rising in the NRC, I don't think Maddocks is as quick off the mark but once moving makes devastating angled runs when he winds up, he has got some pretty good backfield vision as well. I foresee him and DHP making a Dagg/Smith wing/fullback combo. Not sure what they will do when they have Marika and Sefa both fit. Dave Dubya will be spoiled for choice in the outside backs. A great opportunity for a rotation policy. Jack D an Jono both struggled with the boot, especially with the set shots. I am hoping, like in japan, it was a greasy ball and swirling wind at AAMI park, otherwise Mick "the kick" Byrne needs to have a look into his training techniques. There was a lot of wayward ball from both sides.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
That is pretty much how I saw it too, Full credit to Folau's combo kick with Foley, that is utilizing his brilliance, and a few other moments but the lazy fullback D is not new. Put Kellaway back there at 15 and let Folau roam in from 14 and FFS, get Rona into 13 as soon as you can, Just because Chieka played him out of position on the wing, doesn't mean Gibson should.
The Sheriff
Guest
Guru is correct. Robertson is tireless in the loose but he is no good at scrum time. Paddt Ryan played above my expectations but it may have been because Simmons was behind him. The waratah forwards ( and all other Australian packs) are in for a very hard season. Brumbies were outplayed up front by the Wolves and the Reds out played the Rebels with one or two short. Hanigan ( or is it Hannigan) seems to have toughened up a bit and I thought, had his best game of Super Rugby for the Tahs. Wells at #8 went OK too.
Shakti Gounden
Roar Guru
Thanks Machooka. I appreciate your opinion Chukling but try writing a match report in 5 minutes to summarise the whole match. But I will take your feedback.
Shakti Gounden
Roar Guru
I 100% agree. It was a match with good intensity and Tahs took their chances when they needed to still. Both teams still need plenty to improve on but no one can complain about their efforts. Tahs back can be lethal if their forwards standup this year.
Shakti Gounden
Roar Guru
Kitshoff and Nizaam were excellent! For the Waratahs Hooper stood up. Folau was good in the first half but did not get any ball in the second.
Boatie
Roar Rookie
I was at the game & can tell you it went forward. He stuck his hand out to stop it getting to Beale who only had to catch it to score. Any other ref would have given a penalty try & a yellow card. Gardner obviously didn’t see it because he first ruled a knock-on against Beale. He only changed his mind after the replay.
Ed
Guest
Agree. With Simmons out for the next two matches, Kepu should fly for the Jaguares match.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah - defence looked better than I thought it might, probably the most pleasing aspect of the team's play
jeznez
Roar Guru
I didn't get the complaint on Beale's near try - the Stormer's player (was it Lleyds?) looked to knock the ball back towards his own try line. How can you get penalised for knocking the ball back?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Lineout is sound - scrum was destroyed even before the card and breakdown was dominated. The backs are seriously dangerous - the Tahs had massive problems hanging on to the ball and even clearing their defensive end giving away the ball through counter ruck consistently but the backs were still able to mount some very dangerous raids living off scraps. Must say hats off to Wells, he seriously stepped up after Simmons got carded with a couple of major plays that saved the team.
Reverse Wheel
Guest
Please stop calling it lucky. Luck is a toss of a coin or a bizarre bounce of the ball. The two teams were evenly matched throughout and the stormers made a mistake at the end that the Waratahs took advantage of. That isn't luck.
rebel
Guest
Agree, a lot of professional whingers out there. Tahs have the W