Waratahs soak up win
The Waratahs beat the Brumbies 24-17 in the driving Sydney rain in a Super 14 derby match on Friday.
Last Updated: 07/03/08 11:42am
The Waratahs beat the Brumbies 24-17 in the driving Sydney rain in a slippery Super 14 derby match on Friday.
The home team had to play catch-up rugby after going in at half-time 17-10 down, but scored fourteen unanswered points to soak up a valuable win over their Australian rivals.
For their efforts, the gallant Brumbies received a well-earned bonus point for finishing within seven points of their neighbours.
The Waratahs had to contend with playing their second game in the wet in as many weeks - but practice seems to make perfect in bad weather.
Handling errors
They were a touch better in the handling department than their guests, who found it hard coming to grips with the ball of soap in the opening stages of the match.
The visitors also struggled in the line-outs, losing their own throw-in on far too many occasions. Huia Edmonds' introduction midway through the second half helped change that around, but only just.
The Waratahs only had themselves to blame for letting the Brumbies back into the match in the first half which began with pivot Kurtley Beale squandering his first - and incredibly simple - shot at goal.
But the 19-year-old made amends for his early blunder by setting up the Waratahs' opening try after faking a drop-goal and cutting through the rushing defence to put Tom Carter in under the posts to take a 7-0 lead.
Momentum stayed with the Waratahs who again went close on the back of a Sam Harris charge-down, and when inside centre Smith was yellow-carded in the 28th minute for a shoulder charge on Beale, the hosts moved 10-0 in front.
But the Brumbies found their way into enemy territory and made the most of a rare opportunity through replacement loose forward Julian Salvi - on for a bloodied George Smith - who crashed over in the 32nd minute.
Mark Gerrard, in sensational form with the boot, added the extras from the touchline to take the scores to 10-7.
Another Gerrard penalty four minutes from the break saw the visitors draw level at 10-10, but the Brumbies weren't finished yet with winger Peter Playford crashing over out wide on the stroke of half-time for another converted try to hand his team their first lead.
Tuqiri try
Things soon turned around in the second half, a midfield fumble by the Brumbies resulted in a 50-metre dash to the tryline for winger Lote Tuqiri, who intercepted the loose ball to level the scores at 17-17.
With both teams having their moments to overtake one another and accelerate into a crucial lead, a draw looked imminent until a piece of individual brilliance by replacement Waratahs lock Dean Mumm saw an attempted clearance by Christian Lealiifano charged down on halfway.
Mumm turned on the gas and once in full stride, Gerrard had no chance of stopping him as he galloped in under the posts to break the deadlock and claim the match-winner in the 63rd minute.
With just over 15 minutes to go, the hosts held on to secure their third victory of the campaign and put themselves in good stead heading into Christchurch where they will face the undefeated Crusaders.
