WATCH: Izaia Perese shows HERCULEAN strength in Waratahs’ late win

Dylan Coetzee
Super Rugby Pacific: Izaia Perese try for the Waratahs

Waratahs centre Izaia Perese showed incredible strength for his try against the Highlanders in the Sydney side’s narrow 21-20 victory in Super Rugby Pacific.

The hosts were in the Highlanders’ red zone, and scrum-half Jake Gordon took the ball off the base, drifted across and played Perese in with an inside pass.

The New Zealanders were wise to this as the centre appeared to be nullified. However, Perese showed his power and started driving his legs as the defenders just fell off him.

A teammate supported him and, in the end, the Wallaby crashed over for a sensational score where he powered through five defenders. Crazy strength!

Perese’s moment of power was the first points scored in the 17th minute before Ben Donaldson nailed the extras. Highlanders full-back Sam Gilbert then got his side on the scoreboard with two penalties in the 22nd and 26th minutes.

Click here to see teams and scorers

However, the hosts would have the final say of the first period, with Lalakai Foketi scoring a converted try right on the stroke of half-time.

The game would have to wait a fair while before the second-period deadlock was broken as Highlanders loose forward Hugh Renton crossed for a try just prior to the hour mark. Gilbert was on hand to add the extras off the tee.

The visitors were starting to find momentum, and veteran Aaron Smith scored a try after sniping along the edges of the ruck following a 50:22 that he kicked. Gilbert made no mistake with the conversion.

It seemed the New Zealand side would take home the victory, but the hosts had other ideas as Mahe Vailanu crucially scored in the 79th minute giving Donaldson a kick to win. The fly-half made no mistake and snatched the victory for his side.

Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific

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