Waratahs Tame the Lions

The Waratahs have comprehensively beaten the Lions with an emphatic 41-13 win at Allianz Stadium.

The Match

Photos by Keith McInnes

The Lions kicked off to the Waratahs which gave the Tahs some early attacking opportunities. A forward pass by Michael Hooper robbed the Waratahs a chance for an early try but it didn’t matter because a few minutes later Bernard foley crashed over under the posts. Foley converted his own try to make the score 7-0 after 10 minutes.

Minutes later, a 5 metre line out to the Lions allowed Jaco Kriel to score from a strong rolling maul. Marnitz Boshoff converted to level the scores at 7-7 after 13 minutes. The Waratahs were soon back on the attack and were awarded a penalty which Bernard Foley sent through the uprights to bring the score to 10-7 to the Waratahs after 18 minutes.

The Waratahs only led for a short time after a scrum penalty was awarded to the Lions inside the Waratahs 22. Boshoff took the points to tie it up at 10-10 after 21 minutes. The Waratahs were soon back on attack and a grubber from Bernard Foley set Kurtley Beale up for a beautiful try under the posts. Foley converted to put the Tahs back in the lead, 17-10 after 25 minutes.

A lineout infringement from the Waratahs gifted Boshoff with another 3 points to put the Lions within a try. The score was 17-13 after 32 minutes. The Lions continued to put pressure on the Waratahs at line out time with an effective maul. The Waratahs were lucky not to concede any points and went into halftime with a 4 point lead.

Just 3 minutes into the second half, Rob Horne broke the line and made a 20 metre run to score. Bernard Foley converted to take the score to 24-10 after 45 minutes.

Shortly afterwards, the Waratahs were pulled down just short after a huge run from Matt Carraro and Israel Folau. A cynical attempt to slow the ball down resulted in a yellow card to Lions winger Deon Van Rensburg. Shortly afterwards Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed over. A conversion from Bernard Foley pushed the score out to 31-13 after 50 minutes.

A huge hit from Wycliff Palu gave the Waratahs a counter attack opportunity. Rob Horne made another strong run but knocked the ball on just metres from the try line. Another penalty to the Waratahs extended their lead by another 3 points. 34-13 after 62 minutes.

The final 20 minutes was riddled with errors from both sides; however, a last minute try to Rob Horne ensured a victory for the Waratahs. Final score: 41-13.

The Game Changer Adam Ashley-Cooper’s try gave the Waratahs an 18 point lead to ensure it would be a tough task for the Lions to claw back.

The G&GR MOTM A number of players were impressive; however, this week’s GAGR Man of the Match goes to Rob Horne who ran strongly, defended well and bagged two tries.



Wallaby watch With an injury to Quade Cooper on the weekend, Bernard Foley made a strong claim for the Wallabies number 10 jersey. Will Skelton is also continuing to improve. He made it through 80 minutes this week and was still making an impact late in the game.



The Details

Score & Scorers

Waratahs:

Tries: Bernard Foley, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne (2), Adam Ashley-Cooper

Conversions: Bernard Foley 5

Penalties: Foley 2

Lions:

Tries: Jaco Kriel

Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff

Penalties: Marnitz Boshoff 2

Cards & citings

Yellow Card: Deon Van Rensburg