The Waratahs have snapped a four game losing streak against the Reds to leapfrog their Queensland rivals and continue a pleasing late-season flourish.
With scores locked at 17-17 at the break, Lalakai Foketi finished off a wonderful Waratahs try in the 45th minute that started from a clever Max Jorgensen offload.
Lalakai Foketi scores for the Waratahs at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.Credit: Getty
The NSW teenager was busy once again, making 98 metres from 10 carries and beating four defenders in the process.
The Waratahs kept Queensland scoreless in the second half – until an 81st-minute consolation try from Peni Ravai – to register a 32-24 win in front of a moderate Townsville crowd.
Two second-half tries powered the Waratahs to their fourth win from 10 matches. Darren Coleman’s men now sit sixth on the ladder with four matches remaining.
“The first half was probably a little disappointing,” said Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon on Stan Sport. “I thought the way we controlled the second half was really impressive. I thought Donno [Ben Donaldson] controlled the game really well.
“We’re competing with teams around the same mark as us. It’s an exciting time for us. We just need to be more consistent. We’re still not there, but we’re tracking in the right direction.”
Reds skipper Tate McDermott couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“They dominated us up front and we just weren’t good enough,” McDermott said. “I just feel bad for the Townsville folk. We’ve come up here twice and let them down twice.”
After four straight losses to their Queensland rivals since February 2021, NSW took bragging rights in a fierce derby dominated by forwards.
If Harry Wilson’s diving effort for a try had come up trumps in the 70th minute, the game may have had one last twist. It wasn’t to be.
The Reds missed more tackles (20 to 18) and turned the ball over far too often (17 times to 10). Their attack was clunky and lacked cohesion.
Waratahs back-rowers Langi Gleeson and Taleni Seu were immense, as was Michael Hooper. The former Waratahs and Wallabies skipper had nothing left in the tank.
Suliasi Vunivalu showed glimpses of his best, including a rare pick and drive try to go with 112 run metres, but still looked to be playing within himself.
Meanwhile, Fraser McReight was best on ground when it came to work over the ball. His defensive breakdown game is arguably the best in the country at the moment. He picked his moments perfectly and won at least four turnovers for his side.
The Waratahs are jubilant after the win.Credit: Getty
Eddie Jones has an extremely difficult decision when it comes to picking Australia’s best back row. McReight is making an irresistible case but it would be a bold call to not hand Hooper the No.7 jersey.
Two months out from the first Wallabies Test of the year, against South Africa in Pretoria, NSW No.10 Ben Donaldson will get a confidence boost out of Saturday night’s win but is yet to find his best form.
Donaldson knocked on a couple of times in a scratchy game but received praise from his skipper and teammates.
When Hooper shoved Wilson to the ground in the opening minutes, it lit the fuse for a tense encounter between two sides next to each other on the ladder.
Dave Porecki is wrapped up.Credit: Getty
Waratahs hooker Dave Porecki bagged an early try from a rolling maul before his opposite number Matt Faessler did the same thing for the home side to level scores at 7-7.
Seu found his way over the line before Queensland booted a penalty to trail 14-10.
Given eight of 12 teams make finals, the latest victory puts the Waratahs in a strong position to make the knockout stages.
With upcoming home matches against the Melbourne Rebels and Fijian Drua, the Waratahs will be quietly confident they can produce their best rugby when it matters most.
