Unbeaten 'Tahs march past Crusaders
Scrumhalf Brett Sheehan helped the Waratahs retain the Rotomahana Challenge with a match-winning performance, as the home team ran out 24-14 winners against the Crusaders in Sydney on Thursday.
Scrumhalf Brett Sheehan helped the Waratahs retain the Rotomahana Challenge with a match-winning performance, as the home team ran out 24-14 winners against the Crusaders in Sydney on Thursday.
Sheehan was one of a host of players who had the crowd on their feet at the Sydney Football Stadium, who braved driving rain for the majority of the match to see the Waratahs gain an early psychological advantage heading into the Super 14.
The Waratahs certainly didn't have it all their own way though, and were on the back foot for the opening quarter of the game, with the Crusaders dominating all phases of play.
It didn't take long for Crusaders flyhalf Dan Carter to stamp his authority on proceedings.
As early as the seventh minute, he sliced open the Waratahs defence, before chipping ahead for Casey Laulala to open the scoring.
Carter made it 7-0 with a well-taken conversion.
After more Carter magic, the visitors were then rewarded with a second try – when Tim Bateman scored under the poles in the 20th minute. Carter duly converted to make it 14-0.
The Waratahs seemed to be stung into action after Bateman's try and strung together some impressive phases, before man-of-the-match Sheehan crossed the line for the 'Tahs.
Kurtley Beale reduced the deficit to seven points with the conversion, as the teams went into the break.
Robbie Deans rung the changes as the teams ran out for the second half, including taking Carter off.
The second half belonged to Carter's opposite number, Beale.
So much was said about the showdown between the two kingpin's, and they certaintly didn't disappoint with both being instrumental in their respective sides' attacking movements.
Firstly, Beale landed an early penalty to make it 14-10, before ripping the ball away from Caleb Ralph in a strong tackle to streak 35 metres downfield to score the Waratahs' second try.
He converted his own touchdown to put his team in the lead for the first time.
The Crusaders never recovered, and the Waratahs scored their third try, courtesy of Alfi Mafi – after some good interplay between Rocky Elsom, Timana Tahu and Mafi.
Beale converted to make it 24-14, and was duly rewarded with an early shower by coach Ewan McKenzie.
That's the way it stayed for the remainder of the match, the Waratahs scoring 24 unanswered points after the Crusaders' initial burst.
The win makes it three from three for the Waratahs in their pre-season outings, with previous victories over the Brumbies and Reds.
Coach Ewan McKenzie must be a happy man as the Waratahs prepare the face the Hurricanes in the opening round of the Super 14 on February 16.
The scorers:
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Sheehan, Beale, Mafi
Cons: Beale 3
Pen: Beale
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Laulala, Bateman
Cons: Carter 2
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner,14 Matt Carraro,13 Timana Tahu, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Ben Jacobs,10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain),6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Matt Dunning.
Replacements (from): Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Chris Thomson, Beau Robinson, Brett Sheehan, Andrew Smith, Sam Harris,Dan Palmer, Benn Robinson, Ben Mowen, Ben Batger, Alfi Mafi.
Crusaders: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richard McCaw, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Ben Franks
Replacements (from): Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Paterson, Nasi Manu, Steve Alfeld, Hamish Gard, Sean Maitland, Tim Bateman, George Whitelock, Campbell Johnstone
Date: Thursday, 7 February
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)
Referee: Brett Bowden
Touch judges: Stuart Dickinson, Dan Cheever