Western Force v Waratahs: Five takeaways as hero emerges in Super Point win while Wallabies back-rower begins ‘collecting Infinity Stones’ ahead of Lions series
Darby Lancaster scoring for the Waratahs with an inset of Carlo Tizzano
Following the Waratahs’ 22-17 win over the Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific, here are our five key takeaways from the Round 15 clash.
The top line
Andrew Kellaway got this hotly anticipated Aussie derby off to a flying start as he nabbed an intercept try after just three minutes.
That effort set the tone for the rest of the opening stanza too, as Carlo Tizzano nabbed a record-breaking score just seven minutes later.
The Waratahs quickly extended their lead through Darby Lancaster in the 18th minute, but then trench warfare ensued.
We had to wait another 20 minutes for another score, but like a London bus you wait for ages and then two come in quick succession, as Mac Grealy and Hamish Stewart crossed to give the Force a slim 17-14 lead.
But, the heavens opened in the second-half and the points scoring came to a grinding halt, with the next coming in the 74th minute as Jack Bowen slotted a penalty to level things for the ‘Tahs.
Kurtley Beale nearly handed his side the win with the final act of normal time, but his long-range effort drifted just wide to send the game into Super Point.
After both sides missed kicks at goal, an acrobatic finish from Lancaster ensured the visitors came away with the spoils.
Bring back the biff
Some fans might be quick to say ‘the game’s gone’, but this was an old-fashioned, impassioned derby game.
Both teams were just going hammer and tongs into this match, both in the game and in the afters too. On multiple occasions, after a break in play, a ball would be seen flying into the back of another player and starting a push-and-shove melee.
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That wasn’t the end of it either, with the teams just giving it to each other at every possible opportunity. But it just added to the game.
Everything was that little bit heightened. Every contact had that little bit of extra venom, every attack had that little extra bit of desire, every scrum had that little bit more anticipation around it, and every decision had that little extra bit of influence on proceedings.
The biff was certainly brought back in bucketfuls.
Play-off ramifications
This late win for the Waratahs keeps them firmly in play-off territory heading into the final round of the season.
While the current top five probably feel fairly safe in the play-off places, Moana Pasifika, the Blues and the ‘Tahs know they need a win to make that group.
Out of those three, the Blues and the Waratahs are playing each other too in what could be a proper play-off shootout too. Dan McKellar’s side have struggled away from home this season, with this win today their first of the campaign, but in saying that the Blues have been hot and cold too in their title defence.
Moana Pasifika also come into their clash against the Hurricanes needing a win, after their 85-7 humiliation against the Chiefs earlier today, so it’s going to be a fascinating watch next weekend.
But, getting the win today was the bare minimum for the ‘Tahs, and they’ve done just that.
Clutch
Super Point is always going to make someone a hero on the night, and tonight that man was Lancaster. The winger’s ridiculous finish in the corner, alongside his score in the first-half, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, and it showed serious minerals in the process.
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He had to avoid two covering defenders, the touchline and then still keep hold of the ball, which is quite something in itself.
A wonder try in the biggest moment of the game.
Try machine
As the Mad Titan Thanos said to the Avengers, I am inevitable.
And, that’s exactly what Tizzano should be saying when he takes to the pitch. He is inevitable.
The Wallabies flanker, fresh from penning a new two-year deal with Rugby Australia and the Force, grabbed yet another try as he powered through four defenders and beat the touchline to dot down.
That effort takes his tally up to 13 for the year, breaking the record for most tries by a forward in a single Super Rugby season.
Joe Schmidt is spoiled for choice in the back-row right now, with Fraser McReight tearing up trees for the Reds, Harry Wilson marking his return with a bang yesterday and Rob Valetini likely to be in the mix too, but Tizzano has also come into his own this season.
He just seems to spawn in the exact right area to score a try, even if there isn’t anything on. Tonight was the perfect example of that. Even the Stan Sport commentators were left bemused, claiming it was a selfish play when there was nothing on only for the try to be awarded.
That ability alone should prick the ears of Schmidt, but he’s also backing up his try-scoring with some proper fundamentals of a back-rower.
Tizzano is collecting the back-row Infinity Stones at the perfect time ahead of the British and Irish Lions series, and he could very easily be working his way into the starting line-up.