The NSW Waratahs have some headaches as the Super Rugby Pacific season approaches, after they were steamrolled by the Queensland Reds in a trial game two weeks out from a round-one rematch.
The Reds led 29-0 at halftime and won 32-7 on Saturday night, with Jock Campbell in devastating form at fullback and fellow try-scorer Hunter Paisami equally damaging at inside centre.
The Reds’ offence was humming in Roma, where new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who doesn’t officially start in the role until March 1, was an interested onlooker.
Watch every match of Super Rugby Pacific ad-free, live & on demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport
A penalty try when Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-down early in the second half was the Waratahs’ only source of joy.
“There was good speed to our game in the first half and we did a lot of things well for our four tries,” Reds coach Les Kiss said.
“The Waratahs came back at us to open the second half. We know everything goes up a level on February 24 when we are playing for points.”
Test hooker Matt Faessler scored two first-half tries while 19-year-old No.10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips did his round-one selection chances no harm given the Reds’ flow with him in the driver’s seat.
Campbell started on the bench in last week’s loss to the Western Force, with Jordan Petaia preferred in the No.15 by new coach Les Kiss.
But the 2022 Wallaby, overlooked by Eddie Jones last year after a slow start to Super Rugby last year, made the most of his audition with two first-half try assists and a clean break to score himself. It came after he copped a heavy hit from Dylan Pietsch out wide, who was shown a yellow card for the contact, but did little to slow the classy fullback.
He put Paisami into space for the game’s first try, the No.12 running over the top of Joey Walton to finish with authority and set the tone of the physically dominant first half.
The sides will meet in the first round in Brisbane on February 24, Darren Coleman’s men needing to fix a leaky defence that also conceded 38 points in a hefty loss to Melbourne Rebels last Saturday.
“It’s obviously a bit deflating,” Waratahs prop Harry Johson-Holmes said.
“The scoreline got away from us early and the Reds played really well and took their opportunities.
“Momentum is a hell of a thing in rugby, and they really capitalised on the penalties we were giving away and the ball we were turning over.
“We’ve got to tidy some stuff up before round one, but that’s what trials are for. They’re all really fixable areas.”
In Perth, Western Force five-eighth Max Burey missed a tough after-the-siren conversion to level their trial game against the ACT Brumbies, who snuck home 22-20.
The Brumbies scored four tries to the Force’s two, Andy Muirhead’s five-pointer off a Corey Toole kick giving the visitors a 22-15 lead nine minutes from full time.
Henry O’Donnell replied with the game’s final play but Burey pushed his kick wide.
The Force, who beat the Reds last week, host the Hurricanes in round one while the Rebels host the Brumbies.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
You know Jones must have borrowed one of those height clowns at shows to see if you can go on a ride. Paisami wouldn’t have made it. I still get irritable when I think of that clown.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
He will. You’ll see it now he’s under Kiss and hopefully Schmidt. I like what Kiss has done so far?? Only one game, but the intent seems to be move, move, move. This is what Jock likes as that is how his club coach Mick Heenan encouraged, a very up tempo style. Hopefully.
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
I did say virtually every game. If other first class fullbacks are able to perform at the same high level virtually every game we should not set a lower benchmark for our local fullbacks; or for any other position. We seem to accept mediocrity too easily.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I did. Zero missed tackles.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Certainly it's not pretty when it happens.
shoremen
Roar Rookie
Yet to see it.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
I heard the Rahs have another trial against some scrappy Shute Shield team. Might be a close result ! :happy:
Cec
Roar Rookie
Ferret. Hmmm Antonio and Furlong are pretty handy and consistent. It depends perhaps on what’s important to coaches, stayers or sprinters (TT).
Cec
Roar Rookie
ATW. Tahs canned themselves when they handed in their keys to Hamish. What happens from here to the Tahs on field is on RA. Perhaps move RA HQ to Canberra and lobby for funds regularly as I hear the poli’s like their lunches. Tahs seem to be drifting from relevance. Tahs are in for a real shot at the wooden spoon if the last two trials are any indication.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Did you see Kellaway vs Wales. His defence was pathetic
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Every game ?
HiKa
Roar Rookie
You might also consider his defence in Australia A matches against Fiji and Tonga. (It wasn't good.)
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
He will.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Because you made me, I checked. Jock is apparently 6’ 1 and 91 kg ? . So I read - if true. You never know with stats.
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Everyone misses tackles. What we remember is fullbacks going high in cover defence and being brushed off.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Cully didnt have a gd kicking game
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t a bandwidth issue. Stream was ok on mobile, but didn’t work on the TV. Heard lots of similar complaints. Issue is with the Stan app
cs
Roar Guru
Early days, early days ...
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
Campbell played well - now he has to make a statement by replicating it virtually every game. An interesting comparison with one of the world's best fullback - Campbell is 1.86m and 91kg; Ramos is 178 and 86kg. Something for Campbell to work on is to be able to kick and 'read the game' like Ramos.
Little Havanna
Roar Rookie
I watched Reds v Tahs at Roma. In short, the Reds played like a well coached rugby team and with intent. On the other hand, my impression was that the Tahs were asleep until half time, demonstrated a total lack of interest, and played an amateurish game at best!