The NSW Waratahs have recorded a commanding 47-19 victory over the Queensland Reds in Narrabri, with fullback James Hendren scoring four tries in a dazzling performance at the Santos Festival of Rugby.
It capped a memorable day for the Waratahs, after earlier wins for the Waratahs Women and Sevens sides in front of a strong country crowd.
With local product Sid Harvey kicking off, the Waratahs wasted no time asserting themselves. Dominant in collisions and quick at the breakdown, they created the base that allowed Hendren to strike first, spotting space behind the defensive line, chipping ahead, regathering and fending clear to cross the line.
The Reds responded quickly through Joe Brial, before Joey Fowler’s pinpoint 50-22 set up the platform for Jamie Adamson to restore the Waratahs advantage.
Queensland again hit the scoreboard through Brial, whose deft hands released Lachie Anderson to score in the corner. Yet it was Hendren who had the final say of the half, crossing for his second try to hand the Waratahs a 21-12 lead at the break.
The Reds hit back in the second half, with midfielder Dre Pakeho carving through with Matt Faessler out wide cutting the margin to just two points.
But Hendren delivered the turning point. Pouncing on a Reds knock-on, the fullback fathered the ball and lit up the group with a length of the field sprint, his pace electric to finish in the corner, completing a hat-trick and ignited the festival atmosphere.
From there, the Waratahs never looked back.
Jackson Ropatan muscled over to extend the lead, while Harvey – in front of his local fans, kept the scoreboard ticking with an assured night from the tee.
The impact of the bench proved decisive, with Teddy Wilson adding spark and Clem Halaholo producing one of the moments of the match, charging down a Reds clearing kick, he scooped up the loose ball and raced away to score, bringing the Narrabri crowd to its feet.
Hendren fittingly closed the evening with his fourth try, putting an exclamation mark on a night the Waratahs controlled from start to finish. The focus now shifts to Canberra, where the Waratahs will meet the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park next Saturday in Round 3 of Super Rugby AUS.
Match Details
NSW Waratahs (47) defeat Queensland Reds (19)
Location: Dangar Park, Narrabri
NSW Waratahs (47)
Tries: James Hendren (4), Jackson Ropata (1), Clem Halaholo (1), Jamie Adamson (1)
Conversions: Sid Harvey (6/7)
Queensland Reds (19)
Tries: Joe Brial (1), Lachie Anderson (1), Matt Faessler (1)
Conversions: Jock Campbell (2/3)
