Tahu Crosses in HSBC Waratahs First Up Trial Win
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Sunday, 27 January 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
New recruit Timana Tahu scored with his second touch of the ball at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, as the HSBC Waratahs kicked off their 2008 Super 14 campaign with a 26-10 victory over the Queensland Reds.
Coach Ewen McKenzie used 27 players in the four-quarter match, with the Waratahs dominating possession and territory throughout to score four tries to two in an emphatic result over their arch rivals.
The Waratahs had the opportunity to take an early lead, however fly half Daniel Halangahu failed to convert a difficult 40m penalty attempt in the third minute of play. They were again denied chance for first points when Josh Valentine was brought down inches short in the 13th minute, before captain Ben Mowen was held up on the ensuing pick-and-drive.
Referee Ian Smith however brought play back for an earlier infringement, with Ben Batger taking over kicking duties and delivering a 21m penalty to give the home side a 3-0 lead, which they took into the quarter time break.
After absorbing most of the play in the opening 20 minutes, the Reds came out intent on attacking in the second half, a mindset highlighted by their choice to decline an opportunity to level the scores in favour of going for the try. A lineout win and six phases later, Henari Veratau crossed in the left corner to give the Reds a 5-3 lead in the 26th minute.
In the 32nd minute Ben Jacobs was grassed just a metre short of the goal-line, however two minutes later he delivered the final pass to Batger who scored in the right corner. He failed to convert his own try, but was successful with a penalty attempt in the 40th minute to give the Waratahs an 11-5 lead at the main break.
The second half saw one of the most anticipated moments of the 2008 season when Ewen McKenzie brought on Timana Tahu in his first appearance in Waratahs colours. And it wasn't long before the league convert made an impression, scoring with just his second touch after a great shuffle pass from Tom Carter who released Tahu on a 20m run to the line. Batger's conversion attempt failed, with the Waratahs holding a 16-5 lead in the 48th minute.
The Reds were next to score though, with Caleb Brown touching down in the left corner after the Waratahs failed to cleanly regather three consecutive kicks ahead from Andrew Walker. The scoreline remained 16-10 after Walker failed with his sideline conversion attempt.
In the final minute of the third quarter, Luke Burgess plucked a loose ball out of the air 10 metres from the Reds line and beat three defenders in an impressive dart across field to extend the advantage to 21-10 at the final drinks break.
Nine minutes from time, replacement hooker Al Manning crossed in the corner for the Waratahs extending the lead to 26-10. Ben Jacobs was handed the kicking duties, however his attempt resulted in the sixth missed conversion from as many opportunities in the match.
The HSBC Waratahs will now focus on Friday night's trial against the ACT Brumbies at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.
HSBC WARATAHS 26
Tries: Ben Batger, Timana Tahu, Luke Burgess, Al Manning
Conversions: Ben Batger 0 from 3, Ben Jacobs 0 from 1
Penalties: Ben Batger 2 from 2, Daniel Halangahu 0 from 1
QUEENSLAND REDS 10
Tries: Henari Veratau, Caleb Brown
Conversions: Andrew Walker 0 from 2
BY THE MINUTE
3rd - Daniel Halangahu missed penalty.
15th - Ben Batger penalty. HSBC Waratahs 3 Reds 0.
26th - Henari Veratau try. Andrew Walker missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 3 Reds 5.
34th - Ben Batger try. Ben Batger missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 8 Reds 5.
40th - Ben Batger penalty. HSBC Waratahs 11 Reds 5.
HALF TIME: HSBC Waratahs 11 Reds 5
48th - Timana Tahu try. Ben Batger missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 16 Reds 5
54th - Caleb Brown try. Andrew Walker missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 16 Reds 10.
60th - Luke Burgess try. Ben Batger missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 21 Reds 10.
71st - Al Manning try. Ben Jacobs missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 26 Reds 10.
FULL TIME: HSBC Waratahs 26 Reds 10
