With their season on life support, the Waratahs bounced back in a big way by beating the Western Force 36-16 thanks to a masterclass from skipper Jake Gordon.
Gordon, a non-selection in Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies squad for a camp on the Gold Coast next week, set up a try and scored one of his own to help orchestrate a desperately needed win on Saturday night after four straight Super Rugby Pacific losses.
His five-pointer came from a loose ball on the ground and a zippy 46-metre dash to the line with no one in front.
Only two halfbacks – Brumbies duo Nic White and Ryan Lonergan – made the cut for the upcoming Sanctuary Cove camp and Gordon has done his chances of getting a gig later in the year no harm with a polished performance when his side needed him most.
Everyone in the NSW back line held their own and had moments of brilliance as the Force failed to fire any early shots.
At 29-6 after 54 minutes, the game was all but done.
Jake Gordon is tackled by the Force.Credit: Getty Images
Impressive late tries from Manasa Mataele (59th minute) and Zach Kibirige (71st minute) bridged the gap before Izaia Perese grabbed his second try of the match.
Perese and Mark Nawaqanitawase both beat five defenders, while the Waratahs’ back row of Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper and Taleni Seu all rolled up their sleeves with double-digit tackle tallies.
Even Wendell Sailor popped into Allianz Stadium for a look and raised his beer can to the crowd as he appeared on the big screen. He would have enjoyed what he saw from a revitalised Waratahs outfit, whose season might just be about to turn.
“I’m very pleased,” Gordon said on the Stan Sport broadcast. “The most pleasing thing about tonight was we got the ball to guys who are really dangerous across the park. We’ve been a little clunky in attack and we’ve still got room for improvement but it was a step in the right direction.”
Two wins from seven matches is still an ordinary season but the Waratahs have leaped to ninth spot and are within striking distance of the top eight.
It was the Waratahs’ first victory over an Australian side this year. If it’s grim reading you’re after, ponder this: NSW managed just three wins from their previous 17 matches against Australian opponents.
For the country’s biggest state and rugby heartland, it’s not something to be proud of.
For weeks, coach Darren Coleman has assured his men are building. He’d seen enough, during recent losses, to suggest they’re not as far off the mark as some think.
Finally, things clicked and points flowed. Forwards muscled up and the backs put NSW in favourable field positions for most of the night.
Referee Angus Gardner also celebrated his 100th Super Rugby match with a good game in charge.
Dave Porecki’s early five-pointer from a rolling maul was called back due to a technical obstruction before Perese gave Jones a reminder of his potency with a 16th-minute try to put NSW up 10-0.
It came from a lovely inside ball from Gordon, who like Perese will spend the week in Sydney away from his Wallabies mates.
Multiple penalties hampered the Force’s ability to get down the right end of the field and they nearly pounced at an unexpected moment courtesy of a blunder from Nawaqanitawase.
The Waratahs winger tried to chip and chase but his kick barely got above head height. It landed in Jack Strachan’s hands before the Force playmaker bombed a try moments later with a wayward pass.
However, Nawaqanitawase made up for it as he crashed over down the right edge to ultimately put NSW ahead 17-3.
The Waratahs’ next assignment against the Blues in Auckland will be twice as difficult given Coleman won’t have his Wallabies players for the majority of the week.
As Coleman joked with reporters pre-game, he’s just hoping Jones doesn’t break them.
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