Bernard Foley pulled the strings and Israel Folau scored twice for the NSW Waratahs in a record 52-41 defeat of Queensland featuring 15 tries.
It was the Waratahs’ highest total against an Australian Super Rugby outfit and the most points scored in any Australian derby.
Saturday night’s Suncorp Stadium win propelled the Waratahs back to the top of the Australian conference, after the Melbourne Rebels had briefly assumed top spot with their upset of the Blues earlier in the day in New Zealand.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was in the stands as 15 Australian squad members pushed their case for a berth next Saturday against Ireland.
Teams traded tries in the first half but the Waratahs shot away early in the second stanza, Folau pouncing on a risky Reds chip and chase for a 40-19 lead with 30 minutes to play.
Tries to Alex Mafi and Wallabies hopeful Caleb Timu, who provided immediate impact off the bench for the Reds, provided hope for the 14,452-strong crowd.
But Hamish Stewart’s wayward kicking (two from seven) didn’t help and Jake Gordon’s 63rd-minute try iced the Waratahs’ win.
The action started with a Scott Higginbotham intercept, the No.8 denying NSW a likely try and creating one for his side when he popped a pass to winger Izaia Perese.
A whirlwind 40 minutes ended with a trademark Folau leap and the game’s seventh try.
In between, Reds big men Higginbotham and Taniela Tupou powered over from close range, while Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyavoro skipped out of three tackles for a five-pointer of his own.
Queensland’s scrum was again dominant and Wallaby Samu Kerevi did his best to set the tone defensively, coming out of the line to put two big hits on his opposite number.
But they were unable to stop the visitors’ steady flow of points, Foley kicking truly (six from seven) and threatening every time he directed play to the Reds’ right flank.
Promoted to the starting side, Reds halfback Moses Sorovi was enterprising and unlucky not to cling onto an offload as the Reds eyed a first-half lead.
Instead Folau’s flying effort gave NSW a 28-19 edge they managed to maintain.
eeds
Roar Rookie
yeah im liking how the forward pack is coming together at the tahs as i said above im a fan of wells but i think dempsey is a little more influential when on song. people talk about the lightweight nature of the pack but i think they have stood up this year. The scrum looks solid enough even against much heavier packs in terms of ball runners, defenders, lineout jumpers and fetchers I think they are well serviced.
rebel
Roar Guru
But that doesn't suit the narative.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Out of the backs Phipps and Foley missed the most tackles.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I'm not sure why anyone is surprised about the defence. The backline has Foley, Beale, Folau and Naiyaravoro in it all of who have questionable defensive capability. We've known since the squad was put together that they would score a hell of a lot of tries if given enough ball but that they would also concede a lot of tries. I was very surprised to read the missed tackle stats as I didn't think there were nearly as many as there apparently were, probably an issue with the viewer. Then again watching Naiyaravoro in full flight swatting three blokes out of the way in a single run then my first reaction isn't that the defense was weak but that Taqele with a full head of steam is very hard to stop.
Reverse Wheel
Guest
It's about balance, jacko. There are some who only ever seem to jump on and criticize, usually without including anything of substance. It's not that hard to say "defense was a problem and I noticed... whatever" rather than "aussie rugby sux youse guys can't tackle".
jeznez
Roar Guru
It was a fine line and he stayed just the right side of it.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Handling was quite exceptional. Timu when he came on in particular had some cracking touches. Latu was brilliant in the lead up to Clarke's try. The handling among the forwards has really lifted. I assume through Byrne's influence.
jacko
Guest
Its the same Aussie trollers on every rugby post.....A kiwi mentions that defence was lax and he gets jumped on and personally attacked by half a dozen Aussie trolls like peterk and drongo etc yet if these same posters actually bothered to watch the games they are trolling on they would KNOW that the 2 captains said the defence was terrible...Lots of Aussie trolls looking for any reason to get as upset as they possibly can at any kiwi comment
Jacko
Guest
Thats because you can actually mention negatives about a game or a team without the conversation being hijacked by a bunch of Aussie whingers going all anti kiwi instead of ACTUALLY looking at the comments...Some Aus comments are rubbishing Kiwi's for saying the defence in the Reds /Tahs game was lacking but what else could you possibly get from that sort of scoreline but bad defence...but its all those nasty kiwi's as usual eh?
Jacko
Guest
Oh of course peter...When a ref favors an Aus side he is great eh? This constant Aus whinging is a mennace to a decent rugby conversation...If mention defence its because I just want to run down Aus rugby but the 2 captains spoke a lot about defence and i must have missed your post putting them down for doing so
Peter Kelly
Guest
Rugby is a game that unfolds in front of you and you play what comes. Last night the game was one of those where it was try time with both sides open to trying to score when this happens D is never going to look the best - trying to compare this with any other game is pointless only what unfolds for 80 minutes on the day is what is. What can be critiqued is technique and strategy - who played to there strategy and was the players technique as good as it could be.
Peter Kelly
Guest
Even Hooper has said defence was not the greatest and Grey will want better than what was on display. Not that I rate Grey I reckon D gets worse at Wallaby level
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Agree entirely. He is a medical student too, so hopefully he will see that he has a great future after rugby and won't feel the need to take off overseas to chase the quick bucks. The Reds and Wallabies could get over a decade of good service out of him, if they are smart and look after him with more playing opportunities.
RobC
Roar Guru
Rhys, Angus is better by the game He was the dude who picked off the Duncan P run / ruck, with some help from Brandon - and cleanup by Sorovi and Hamish. Just before the Taniela try. It was great to watch power and speed off set-piece
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Yup and I would add Angus Scott-Young to that list, he averages 11 effective tackles per game at 88% tackle efficiency according to Fox Sports Lab, the best defensive effort for a blindside in a conference on both metrics. I rate Scott-Young higher than Tui in the six jersey, Tui was shown up as too slow for that position in the first Tahs game this year, he should be a lock or not at all.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Drongo, there is a difference between brutal tackles, of which there was some sure... and good defence... both sides had weak defensive moments, far too often.
Bing
Guest
If you look in the similar thread for the Crusaders v Chiefs game you don’t see the Aus supporters in there trolling. Looks like the kiwi supporters are in there saying positives about their teams.
Noodles
Guest
I thought the feature of the game was handling. It was hugely improved over the standard of recent years in Oz rugby. Defence close to the line was not, but I'd say the commitment on attack was the feature of the game as was execution. Folau had some good moments, notably in the air. Some good set piece play, scrums from the Reds and lineouts from Tahs. A lot of young talent on display and attractive footy.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, thought a few calls were a little off, some passes looked suspect, but not falling into the trap of calling anything forward without getting grid work out haha. Rebels would have won anyway and nothing game changing in any of the calls. Good win in context and well deserved. Like you say Peter, not a high quality game, but a win pretty or a win ugly is still a win. As for the Tahs and Reds, attacks were great, tidy up defence and they can be world beaters. Sets up a very intriguing June.
Tez
Guest
Great game to watch but what was clearly noticeable for me was how the Tahs lost direction and purpose when Foley went off. It highlighted his influence on the team. I thought Holloway at lock did really well. Wells had his usual very busy and honest game. I liked the young Reds half Sorovi, that lad looks to have a future.