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The Waratahs overcame the loss of skipper Jake Gordon as Jack Grant stepped up admirably at the scrumbase and Will Harrison was a hit at No.15 in a 22-17 defeat of Western Force at Leichardt Oval.
Gordon suffered a tight hamstring at training midweek and didn’t respond to treatment in time to take part but the Tahs were superbly led by Jed Holloway in his absence to win their second from four games – and their first against Australian opposition since August 2020- in an encouraging start after last year’s misery.
Coach Darren Coleman had stressed the importance of winning this contest in the context of making the top eight finals series, and they have consigned the Force to a 1-3 record – putting pressure on their rivals with the games against Kiwi sides to come.
Grant, son of former Wallabies and NSW player James Grant, was impressive at No.9 but the most pleasing aspect for Coleman will have been the way Harrison and No.10 Ben Donaldson combined to give his side an extra dimension in attack and when clearing their lines.
Coleman wanted Harrison to give his side a better exit strategy and his left foot kicking complemented Donaldson’s long range right footers exceptionally well.
“He was real sparky at the back, wasn’t he?” said Coleman afterwards. “He looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. Big wraps to our front row -n they got us a lot of scrum penalties. Harry [Johnson-Holmes] and [Angus Bell] are pushing themselves into that Wallaby selection.
Harrison scored 17 points before he was replaced on 66 minutes as cramping started to affect his flow having been in the midst of the action in his first start of the season – having only played 30 minutes in the opening three rounds.
Will Harrison of the Waratahs fends off Reesjan Pasitoa of the Force. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“We’ve seen very early the intent going out the back to Will Harrison, Harrison at first receiver, linking with Donaldson , kicking with ease, he looks very comfortable in the first receiver second receiver or wide receiver role,” said Justin Harrison on Stan Sport. “His roaming ability is very good and that’s telling.”
The Donaldson-Harrison axis gave Grant two good options to clear their territory, said All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens.
“Harrison has been a lot more prominent in the physical exchanges than I would have thought going into fullback,” said Mehrtens.
“It’s always good fun for a flyhalf going into fullback because you get to see everything going on in front of you without the responsibility you normally have to try and drive everyone around you. He can pick his moments come up, take the heat off Ben Donaldson and make it count and he’s picking his moments really well today.”
Harrison spent most of last season at No.10 but injuries saw him usurped by Donaldson at flyhalf, not that he seemed to mind.
“I’m stoked. The boys worked so hard the last three months leading into this competition and we feel like we should be four from four after close losses against the Brumbies and Reds,” Harrison said.
He said the combination with Donaldson came naturally, the pair having played on the same teams since they were 11 year olds.
“We understand each other’s games really well,” Harrison said. “It’s natural how we combine together. It’s just great to be back playing footy. I’ve had a rough trot with injuries in preseason so I’m stoked to be back on the field.”
He said he enjoyed being central to the action.
“I love getting the ball in my hands so I was sniffing around the footy a lot,” Harrison said. “I like playing 15 because it gives me a bit more time. I feel a real strength of my game is my running game so it gives me more opportunity to use my speed.”
The Force opened the scoring in the ninth minute with winger Manasa Mataeke in a mismatch with Tahs prop Harry Johnson-Holmes and beating two covering defenders to the line.
But from 7-0 up the Force conceded the next 22 points in the first half, with Charlie Gamble crossing in a rolling maul from a lineout and Harrison finishing off a sharp try in the left corner.
The Tahs looked well drilled and the Force struggled to contain them in the first half.
“It really has been simplicity,” Mehrtens said at halftime. “They’ve got lots of bodies in motion which means whoever has the ball has support on immediately. The ball has been clean for Jack Grant – it’s not a magic carpet ride necessarily but he had the benefit of going forward and showing his skills which has been awesome to see.”
At the break Coleman said he wished they didn’t have to take a break and could keep the momentum rolling, and the Force were much improved in the second half.
Mataeke had a sniff when he grabbed an intercept but was run down by Izzy Perese and then the Western Australians twice squandered great field positions with penalties while in possession in the Tahs’ half.
After sustained pressure they managed to cross under the posts through Harry Lloyd but it was too little too late, although a late penalty allowed them a loser’s bonus point.
That was the only downer for Coleman, who said the late Force surge was a warning to his team to never slacken off, and he suggested he’d enjoy a few cold beverages in celebration before attention turns to a clash with the winless Rebels on Saturday.
“Six day turnaround,” said Coleman. “The boys won’t be able to have a beer but I’ll have enough for them.”