HSBC Waratahs open Super 14 campaign in style
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Saturday, 16 February 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
The HSBC Waratahs have kicked off their 2008 Super 14 campaign with a 20-3 victory over the Hurricanes at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Matt Dunning hits it up
All four limbs are needed to bring down Matt Dunning
One high, one low
One high, one low... Tom Carter and Brett Sheehan take down a Hurricane
Try time for Turner
Lachie Turner crosses for the Waratahs' first try of 2008
Timana Tahu muscles up
Waratah support is everywhere for debutant Timana Tahu
Rampaging Rocky
Rocky Elsom has the Hurricanes defence scrambling
Man of the Match Wycliff Palu
Man of the Match Wycliff Palu has support in Super 14 debutant Tom Carter
Wycliff Palu was named man of the match in a game which also saw Lachie Turner grab a tryscoring double in front of a crowd of 27,011.
The Waratahs scored three tries to nil in an encounter which saw both sides willing to throw the ball around.
However it was the Waratahs who did it most effectively, combining strong forward phase play with an ability to let their backs use the ball throughout the 80 minutes.
The Hurricanes had much of the early possession and field position, however the scrambling NSW defence was always there to defuse attacking raids.
It was in the 18th minute however when the Waratahs broke the deadlock the first time they found themselves deep in the Hurricanes red zone.
Choosing a scrum from a short arm penalty, the Waratahs let the ball sing beautifully and speedily across the backline, before Timana Tahu shuffled a juggled ball into the arms of Lachie Turner who sped away to the tryline.
Jimmy Gopperth reduced the gap to 7-3 in the 22nd minute with a penalty, however he missed another soon after which would have reduced the gap to one.
In the shadows of half time Kurtley Beale nailed a penalty to leave the score 10-3 at the break.
The Waratahs returned full of running in the second half and soon found themselves camped on the Hurricanes line.
A lineout and a number of forward forays later, and Rocky Elsom's outstretched arm touched down to take the lead to 15-3.
The match remained in limbo for much of the second half, with the Waratahs unable to put the game away, while the Hurricanes could not consistently break the advantage line enough to put the NSW defence under pointscoring pressure.
The match was put beyond doubt though in the 73rd minute, when another slick backline move again saw a deft pass by Tahu releasing Turner on his way to the tryline.
What seemed like a bonus point scoring try to Sam Harris on full time was brought back by referee Craig Joubert with the last pass called forward.
The Waratahs now travel to Hamilton to meet the Chiefs next Saturday, while the Hurricanes fly north to take on the Reds on Friday.
HSBC Waratahs 20
Tries: Lachie Turner 2, Rocky Elsom
Cons: Kurtley Beale 1/3
Pens: Kurtley Beale 1/2
Hurricanes 3
Pens: Jimmy Gopperth 1/2
By the clock
18th - Lachie Turner try; Kurtley Beale conversion. HSBC Waratahs 7 Hurricanes 0
22nd - Jimmy Gopperth penalty goal. HSBC Waratahs 7 Hurricanes 3
27th - Jimmy Gopperth missed penalty attempt
31st - Kurtley Beale missed penalty attempt
36th - Kurtley Beale penalty goal. HSBC Waratahs 10 Hurricanes 3
Half-Time HSBC Waratahs 10 Hurricanes 3
43rd - Rocky Elsom try; Kurtley Beale missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 15 Hurricanes 3
74th - Lachie Turner try; Kurtley Beale missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 20 Hurricanes 3
78th - Ma'a Nonu Yellow Card
Full-Time HSBC Waratahs 20 Hurricanes 3