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The Waratahs’ season took another step forward on Saturday night, as Darren Coleman’s men overcame a spirited Fijian Drua side 32-18 in a breathless encounter in Sydney to make it four wins on-the-trot since for the first time since 2018.
With the match in the balance and the home side leading 25-18 in the 77th minute, Joey Walton helped put the cherry on top of the Waratahs’ performance when the talented midfielder earned his side a five-metre lineout throw after pulling off a brilliant 50-22.
Waratahs replacement hooker Mahe Vailanu did the rest, scoring a try from a rolling maul to help seal an encouraging victory.
It was just the finish the marvellous kick deserved, as Walton was flattened by a reckless shot that could have resulted in a horrible leg injury.
The bonus point victory ensured the Waratahs will play in the finals next month ahead of their difficult assignment next week across the ditch against the Crusaders.
“Yeah, I’m content. I wouldn’t say I’m stoked. Obviously the start we had, it takes a while to make up for that,” Waratahs coach Darren Coleman said.
“I know we haven’t played many of the top teams again, but we’ve now set ourselves up to go to Christchurch and really test where we’re at, which we’re excited about.”
Dylan Pietsch scored a first-half try for the Waratahs against Fijian Drua at Allianz Stadium, on May 20, 2023, in Sydney. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
The Waratahs’ outside backs put on a clinic with their finishing, as re-signed Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase scored a stunning double.
His wing partner Dylan Pietsch scored one himself, while fullback Max Jorgensen played his part in four tries.
But it was the Waratahs’ men up front that had to work hardest, as the home side made a staggering 284 tackles.
Five of the Waratahs’ starting pack made more than 20 tackles, with Harry Johnson-Holmes and Michael Hooper making 27, Hugh Sinclair 26, Will Harris 22 and Langi Gleeson 20.
Gleeson, meanwhile, provided the punch and momentum in attack to help get the Waratahs some crucial front-foot ball. He also scored the Waratahs’ fourth try, powering his way over out wide.
“It was awesome,” Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon said.
“I think we made 270 tackles and only missed about 18 or 19 [27], so it was a huge shift. We knew the Fijian team is so dangerous in attack and they were going to test us, which they did.
“What the most pleasing was in attack, we scored some great tries and we moved the ball really well.”
With the game level at 13-13 after a slow start to the second half, Coleman was pleased with his side’s composure.
“I just like the fact that we can win now without being emotionally high, like I just felt it was relatively clinical,” Coleman said.
“There’s definitely some things we could have done a little better around our breakdown or a couple of kicks that didn’t go out, but we just stayed in the fight and the effort was good throughout.
“We’re not there yet, but we’re getting to a point where we’re relatively consistent and not too many things are fazing us.
“When it came back to a draw (at 13-all and later 18-16), we could have panicked and momentum could have swung but they rested that back and just defended really well. Some of our tight forwards were in 20-plusses.
“So proud of the effort and to keep our winning record here and keep building on the momentum here particularly at the footy stadium is awesome.”
Drua coach Mick Byrne lamented his side’s inability to turn pressure into points, but tipped his hat at the Waratahs’ defence.
“I think it’s frustrating,” Byrne said.
“Credit to the Waratahs, they defended really well. But I thought we had enough opportunities in the first 20-25 minutes to get across the line a couple of times and gave them a couple of soft exits, but they defended well.
“It was certainly an improvement from last week with our energy and effort, but it was just frustrating we couldn’t get a few points early when we had a bit of the ball.”
It leaves the Drua’s finals hopes hanging by a thread, with the Fijians likely needing to win their final two matches at home to qualify.
“We had a chance last Friday and again tonight to put the finals in our hands, now we’ve got to win and we need a couple of other things to go our way as well,” Byrne said.
“It was a tough game tonight but the Waratahs defended well and I thought it was a physical game, plenty of good hits, our boys kept stepping up but it would have been good to finish a couple of those early plays.”
The Waratahs took a 10-6 lead into half-time, as Gordon’s decision to kick to the corner with time up was rewarded.
In carbon copy of the opening try to Nawaqanitawase, Jorgensen got the ball in some space and flung the ball over the top of the Drua’s last defender and sent Dylan Pietsch in to score.
It was reward for the Waratahs’ mindset after a grinding opening half, where plenty of footy was played but few chances taken.
The start to the second half started in a similarly tight tussle, where the Drua struck back through hooker Tevita Ikanivere. Kemu Valetini’s conversion levelled the score at 13-13 after 59 minutes.
Mark Nawaqanitawase played his part in a vital win over the Drua at Allianz Stadium on May 20, 2023, in Sydney. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
The game then opened right up in the final 20 minutes, as Jorgensen sucked in two defenders before unleashing Nawaqanitawase. The flying winger then spectacularly got away an out-the-back flick pass to Walton, who somehow managed to find his winger on the inside with a superb superman-esque pass before going into touch to help the home side score one of the tries of the season.
Some poor work at the lineout allowed the Drua to strike back swiftly, as Joseva Tamani pounced on the loose ball near the Waratahs’ home line to narrow the margin to 18-16.
But the Waratahs finished the match on a high, scoring twice through Gleeson and Vailanu to seal an important, momentum-building victory on the eve of the finals.
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.