Waratahs Break Queensland Hoodoo

A late second half fight back has seen the NSW Waratahs win for the first time in Brisbane in Super 14 play claiming a scrappy 16-12 victory over bitter rivals the Queensland Reds tonight at Suncorp Stadium.

The Reds looked set to continue their unbeaten run against the Waratahs in the state of Queensland when they led by six points midway through the second half, but the home side were undone by a Rocky Elsom try late in the second half.

“We knew if we stayed in touch hopefully we could come away with a try like we did there,” NSW captain Chris Whitaker told Fox Sports after the game.

NSW had plenty of chances to put their arch rivals away earlier in the match, but some gritty defence from the Reds that included a couple of a super try saving tackles on Lote Tuquri ensured that this interstate clash would go down to the wire.

“I’m extremely proud of the boys,” said Queensland Captain John Roe at the conclusion of the fiery derby match.

“We threw everything we had at them. It certainly gives me a lot of confidence going forward to next week.”

It took less than 10 seconds of the match for the fireworks to explode with both sides coming together after a late hit on Phil Waugh riled the Waratahs and just a minute later it was on again with front rowers Matt Dunning and Sean Hardman exchanging pleasantries before referee Matt Goddard stepped in to calm the players down.

The massive crowd at Suncorp Stadium lapped up the early exchanges and they were even happier when ex Red Wendell Sailor touched the ball, raining a chorus of boos down on the outspoken winger.

NSW winger Peter Hewat was able to silence the masses at the 11 minute mark with a long range penalty goal to put the Waratahs ahead 3-0 and the visitors should have been further in front 10 minutes later when Tuquri seemed certain to score before Roe intervened with a try saving tackle to keep the deficit at three points.

Queensland were repaid for their strong defence when Elton Flatley levelled proceedings at 3-3 with a penalty goal, but that score line didn’t last long with Hewat putting the Waratahs back in the lead with his second penalty goal of the game.

Tuquri was denied a try again in the 32nd minute when Reds second rower Hugh McMeniman pushed the NSW flyer into touch just a metre short of the try line and that proved vital for Queensland as five minutes later Flatley knocked over his second penalty goal to tie the match up at 6-6 heading into half time.

After soaking up all of the pressure in the first half the Reds came out on the front foot in the second stanza and they were rewarded through the boot of Flatley who landed another two penalty goals to give Queensland a handy six point lead with 20 minutes left in the game.

Hewat missed a chance to move the Waratahs closer in the 65th minute when he steered his penalty goal attempt wide, but his failure was quickly forgotten when second rower Rocky Elsom strolled through a yawning gap and raced 40 metres to score the first try of the game.

Hewat made no mistake with the conversion putting the Waratahs back in the lead 13-12.

Another penalty goal to Hewat in the 78th minute put NSW further ahead and to rub salt into the Reds wounds Sailor was able to end the match by stealing the ball and kicking it into touch to give the Waratahs the perfect start to the Super 14 campaign.

NSW must now quickly pack their bags and head to South Africa to take on the Stormers in Cape Town next Saturday night. The Reds will also be in action next Saturday when they face last season’s title holders, the Canterbury Crusaders.

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