The NSW Waratahs suffered a devastating 45-28 loss to Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland on Saturday, despite a 21-7 half-time lead.
What started as an afternoon of promise for the NSW Waratahs ended in heartbreak.
Moana Pasifika, who beat the Crusaders last week, produced a stunning second-half performance to overrun the Waratahs before a home crowd.
The NSW Waratahs could not have scripted a better first-half to the Round 8 Super Rugby Pacific game or imagined a worse second-half nightmare.
Winger Triston Reilly lit up the game in the early stages, crossing twice inside the first 15 minutes, and both times set up by fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
No. 10 Lawson Creighton's two conversions put the NSW Waratahs14-0 up.
Moana Pasifika responded. Prop Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou scored after a period of pressure, with flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini’s conversion cutting the margin to 14-7.
But the NSW Waratahs hit back just before the break to extend their lead again.
Winger Andrew Kellaway capitalised on fractured defence to score under the posts. Creighton's conversion left the visitors with a 21-7 half-time lead.
NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar admitted the second-half collapse that followed was tough to stomach, as his side wilted under Moana Pasifika.
“It was a disappointing second half. We just didn’t execute what we did in the first half,” McKellar said post-match.
“Our set piece fell away at key times and it’s hard to build momentum if that’s the case.
“We started to fall off tackles and if you do that, you’ll get hurt.”
As McKellar described, the second half certainly did tell a very different story.
Moana Pasifika came out firing after the restart, immediately finding joy through slick handling and dynamic running.
Sae-Ta'ufo'ou bagged his second try in the 43rd minute, slicing through a hole in NSW Waratahs’ defence. Pellegrini’s conversion closed the gap to 21-14.
The NSW Waratahs responded. Scrumhalf Teddy Wilson scored from a break by Suaalii in the 57th minute to extend the lead to 28-14 before it fell apart.
Moana Pasifika fullback William Havili and Pellegrini then took centre stage, both breaking through flimsy defence to cross within minutes of each other.
Pellegrini converted both tries to take a 33-28 lead to the joy of home supporters.
NSW Waratahs Captain Hugh Sinclair cited poor defence and a drop in intensity as key factors, especially with All Blacks legend Ardie Savea imposing himself as he did.
“We started falling off tackles, and when you’ve got guys like Savea running around and you give him space, it makes life difficult,” Sinclair said.
“We stuck to a plan in the first half and played well, but after halftime the lineout wobbled and effort levels dropped deep into the second half.”
The NSW Waratahs, who had been rotating their bench heavily, seemed rattled and unable to regain momentum.
Reserve back Fine Inisi capitalised on a clever kick-through to score in the 67th minute, pushing Moana Pasifika to a 38-28 lead after Pellegrini’s missed conversion.
As the NSW Waratahs’ defence continued to crumble, Moana Pasifika struck again.
Number 8 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa completed the demolition with a solo try in the 76th minute, Pellegrini adding the final conversion to close out an incredible 45-28 victory.
McKellar refused to blame injuries for the collapse, despite missing several key players.
“No excuses. All teams are dealing with injuries at this stage of the season — that didn’t play a role today,” McKellar said.
One bright spark remained the form of star centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who impressed again with several big involvements.
“It was really encouraging,” McKellar said.
“When Joseph gets good quality ball on the front foot, he shows what he can do.
"He’ll take a lot of confidence out of that.”
And despite the setback, Sinclair remained confident the season could be salvaged.
“Of course, there’s still time,” Sinclair said.
“We’ve just got to have a close look at some things and get better. There's plenty of time left in the season.”
Tries: Feleti Sae-Tau'ufo'ou (3), Patrick Pellegrini, William Havill, Fine Inisi, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa
Conversions: Patrick Pellegrini (5)
Tries: Triston Reilly (2), Andrew Kellaway, Teddy Wilson
Conversions: Lawson Creighton (4)
