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At long last there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Waratahs.
Winter might be on Australia’s doorstep, but Darren Coleman’s men are finally coming to life after a sleepy start to the season.
After a horrid opening two months of the competition, where Coleman’s men won just once from their opening six matches, the Waratahs claimed their second victory of the season. A 36-16 bonus point victory over the Force, who have now lost four on the trot.
But after collecting their fifth bonus point of the season, the Waratahs moved up into ninth spot on the competition standings to be within two points of the sixth-placed Reds, who are on 15 points.
And while the Waratahs face a difficult challenge against the Blues at Eden Park next weekend, a generous back half of the season, where they will play four matches at home, could see them rise drastically up the standings.
“There’s a big gorilla running up Oxford Street,” Coleman quipped after the Waratahs won their first match since returning to Allianz Stadium this season after a four-year hiatus during its rebuild.
Izaia Perese was in fine form against the Force at Allianz Stadium on April 15, 2023, in Sydney. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Image
In a clash of utmost importance for both sides, the Waratahs dominated the opening 55 minutes of the match to open up a 29-6 lead.
Two fantastic tries in 12 minutes to wingers Manasa Mataele and Zach Kibirige gave the visitors some late hope, but once again it was too little too late.
“The first halves have really been killing us this year,” acting Force captain Hamish Stewart said.
“We show a bit of grit in that second half, but we left too much of a deficit to chase.”
Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon, who was one of his side’s best in a timely reminder to Wallabies coach Eddie Jones ahead of next week’s first national camp under the returning head coach, was naturally delighted with the victory.
After finally showing what they were capable of in Canberra during their heartbreaking defeat to the Brumbies a fortnight ago, the Waratahs’ attack took another step in the right direction.
While they played the margins tight there was fluency in the Waratahs’ backline play as Ben Donaldson got some quick ball and centres Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese came to life to unleash wingers Dylan Pietsch and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Perese, who was by no means flawless, had his best game of the season as he scored a brace of tries.
The Wallabies back finally showed the physicality and skill with ball-in-hand that led to Dave Rennie handing him his Test debut.
“Obviously very pleased,” Gordon said.
“I think the most pleasing thing about tonight was we got the ball in some guys’ (hands) who are really dangerous. You saw Marky touch the ball, Lalakai, Izzy Perese was in great form.
“We’ve been a little bit clunky in attack. We’ve still got room for improvement but definitely a step in the right direction.”
Despite having the visitors on the backfoot for much of the opening stages, the Waratahs conservatively gave Ben Donaldson the kicking tee to add the first points of the night.
But they didn’t have to wait long for their first try as Perese ran a superb line on Gordon’s inside shoulder after the halfback had a little probe at the defensive line.
The Force got on the board in the 20th minute when Jake Strachan banged over three points of his own, but the visitors efforts to stay in the fight took a blow soon after when Jackson Pugh was sent to the sin bin for collapsing a rolling maul.
Holding a numerical advantage, Nawaqanitawase crossed out wide after a lovely backline movement that came off the back of a strong Jed Holloway carry in the middle.
Zach Kibirige scored a stunning second half try but it wasn’t enough for the Force at Allianz Stadium. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The Force did well to shave another three off the margin when Strachan kicked over his second penalty in the 36th minute.
But the Force’s hopes took another huge blow when the playmaker’s grubber soon after was well blocked by Gordon, leaving the regular tryscorer to sprint to the tryline and open up a 22-6 lead at half-time.
The game was all but over when prop Harry Johnson-Holmes scored from a pick-and-go in the 53rd minute.
As we’ve come to expect from the Force, Simon Cron’s men didn’t go away.
A lovely Stewart cross-field kick to Mataele saw the former Crusaders winger win an aerial contest over Max Jorgensen to score under advantage from referee Angus Gardner, who officiated his 100th Super Rugby match.
In a double dose of good news, replacement back-rower Will Harris was shown a yellow card for coming in from the side of the maul in the lead up to the try.
Former English sevens star Kibirige then scored one of the tries of the season, as he collected another Stewart cross-field kick, this time leaping over Perese, before chipping Jorgensen to score a stunning five-pointer to narrow the margin to 29-16 with nine minutes remaining.
But the visitors couldn’t make a late fist of it, as Perese scored from a Hail Mary pass by Mahe Vailanu despite the hooker’s left-foot going perilously close to touching the sideline.
The try proved to be an important one, as it gave the Waratahs a precious bonus point that could prove invaluable at season’s end.
“I’m just happy at the moment,” Coleman said.
“I don’t want to think too deep on it. It was just exciting to get that bonus point in the end.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.