Down on troops, but high on spirit, the NSW Waratahs fought tenaciously against the ACT Brumbies but ultimately went down 29-21 in torrential conditions at Allianz Stadium.
Already facing an injury crisis in the club’s front row stocks, NSW lost prop Hayden Thompson-Stringer to an MCL injury late in the week which forced a reshuffle to the starting line-up.
The front row stocks then took a further hit during the first half, losing the experienced tighthead prop Harry Johnson-Holmes to a suspected achillies injury.
Despite the interruptions to the side’s make-up, the Waratahs started the match in promising fashion in club stalwart Jed Holloway’s 100th match for NSW.
The ACT were camped down NSW’s end early on, with the Brumbies applying a mountain of pressure early on the Waratahs' try line defence. Number 8 Charlie Cale eventually provided the breakthrough for the visitors by diving over the ruck to score next to the posts in the 10th minute of play.
To celebrate Cultural Round in the Super Rugby Pacific, the Waratahs wore Indigenous jerseys designed by Dylan Pietsch. And fittingly, it was the explosive winger that hit back for the home side five minutes later. Pietsch picked up a loose ball 40 metres out before finding Captain Jake Gordon looming in support to score. Will Harrison converted to level scores at 7-all.
After announcing his re-signing for a further two seasons during the week, courageous openside flanker Charlie Gamble left the field in the 21st minute with a nasty laceration on his shin.
Fortunately for NSW, Gamble did return in the second half, however, the same could not be said for Harry Johnson-Holmes who was assisted from the field in the 36th minute.
All that separated the two sides at half-time was a penalty goal to Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergram.
The rain grew heavier in the second half, and it was the Brumbies who adapted the quicker of the two teams, opening the scoring just three minutes into the second stanza when blindside flanker Rob Valentini barged over from close range.
Five minutes later, the ACT were able to extend their advantage out even further when Len Ikitau burst through from 20 metres out.
The Waratahs fought their way back into the contest when outside centre toed through a loose ball from 50 metres out and pounced on it to score in the 57th minute.
A disallowed try to Miles Amatosero and a near miss off a crossfield kick from Walton to Hugh Sinclair were agonising missed opportunities by NSW, but they finally capitalised on their fighting spirit in the 73rd minute.
Halfback Jack Grant made his mark on the game, scurrying out from the base of the ruck before creating a hole for flyhalf Tane Edmed to steam through and score. Edmed converted his own try to make it a one-point ball game at 22-21.
Unfortunately for the Waratahs though, a try to interchange forward Sefo Kautai in the 77th minute, and a subsequent conversion from Jack Debreczeni, sealed a 29-21 victory for the Brumbies.
Holloway was disappointed in the result but proud of the efforts of his teammates.
“It was a tight contest,” Holloway said. “The Brumbies are a good side, and we knew that they were going to be good.
“It was frustrating we couldn’t get the win. I thought there were patches there of really quality rugby, so it was disappointing not to get the result.
“It’s huge to be able to reach 100 games. It’s always something that I had in the back of my mind that I wanted to achieve. I love this club and the people around me who have been on this journey with me.
“I couldn’t have done this without my wife and parents pushing me through and supporting me. They’ve forced me to thrive here. It was an emotional night and an emotional week. It’s disappointing we couldn’t get the result, but it was a special night for me.
“I really feel for Harry Johnson-Holmes. He’s been a stalwart in the front row so it’s a pretty emotional night.
“We’ve got to stay at it. The comp is so tight. Ideally, we have to win our next three on the trot which is really doable for us. We need to look where to improve and really work hard.”
ACT Brumbies 29
Tries: Charlie Cale, Rob Valentini, Len Ikitau, Sefo Kautai
Goals: Ryan Lonergan 2/3, Jack Debreczeni 1/1
Penalty Goals: Ryan Lonergan 1/1
NSW Waratahs 21
Tries: Jake Gordon, Joey Walton, Tane Edmed
Goals: Will Harrison 2/2, Tane Edmed 1/1
Crowd: 12,562
