The NSW Waratahs’ 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday when they were outclassed by the Blues 46-6 in a must-win Round 16 clash at Eden Park, Auckland.
With both teams sitting just outside the top eight heading into the match, the stakes couldn't have been higher.
The equation was simple: the loser would be eliminated from finals contention, while the winner would stay alive, their hopes pending the result of sixth-placed Moana Pasifika’s clash with the Hurricanes later in the evening.
At half-time, the Waratahs were still in the fight, trailing 24-6, but showing promising signs. But the Blues came out of the sheds with renewed intensity, unleashing a second-half blitz that overwhelmed the NSW Waratahs.
Blues No. 15 Corey Evans opened the floodgates early in the half with a super try that extended their lead to 31-6 with flyhalf Beauden Barrett's conversion.
Then their forwards powered over from a rolling maul in the 56th minute with hooker Ricky Riccitelli scoring to put them 38-6 up with Barrett’s conversion.
Barrett orchestrated much of the damage, setting up outside Rieko Ioane’s third of three tries with a grubber in the 68th minute to go to go 43-6 up.
Game momentum remained firmly with the home side from there to the end.
As the clock ticked past 80 minutes, reserve back Harry Plummer iced the game with a penalty goal, extending the margin to 46-6.
Later NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar pointed to his side’s inexperience against a seasoned Blues outfit.
“We’re a little bit undermanned and a pretty young group, especially within our back line, and up against some world-class players,” McKellar said.
“There’ll be plenty of learnings for us out of tonight. We were beaten in all areas of the game.”
Reflecting on the season as a whole, McKellar remained focused on the bigger picture.
“We’ve certainly made progress, and it’s how you measure progress,” McKellar said.
“So, there’s significant change for this, for a new playing group, new coaching group, and a new way of doing things.
“There have been a lot of adjustments. And I’ve got a vision for the organisation, and it’s going to take time.
“It will take time to make the change that you want to make, because you can put band-aids on things and come up with quick solutions.
“But is that going to set up for sustainable success? So, there’s a lot of work to be done.
“I’ve said many times, there’s going to be some good days and there’s going to be some tough days and today was another tough one.”
The NSW Waratahs went into the sheds trailing the Blues 24–6 at the break in what was a fiercely contested opening forty minutes at Eden Park.
Despite moments of attacking brilliance and gritty defence, the home side's clinical execution proved the difference on the scoreboard.
The NSW Waratahs started with intent, matching the Blues physically and showing signs of sharp ball movement early on.
It was winger Triston Reilly who sparked excitement for the travelling fans in the 8th minute, slicing through a narrow gap to put the NSW Waratahs on the front foot.
However, the promising start was quickly challenged by the Blues' relentless attack.
The hosts answered with well-worked tries, including a brace from winger Mark Tele’a in the 7th and 38th minutes by Ioane in the 29th and 35th minutes.
Barrett was a constant threat with ball in hand from the start, orchestrating play and breaching the NSW Waratahs’ defensive line on multiple occasions.
However, despite the scoreboard pressure, the NSW Waratahs showed resilience.
Bowen, in his first start this year, slotted a penalty in the 33rd minute to reward a sustained period of pressure, giving NSW Waratahs fans a reason to cheer.
Moments later, outside centre Henry O’Donnell broke through the line with a dazzling run, igniting belief in the NSW Waratahs camp.
The opportunity, however, didn’t yield points, as the Blues were quick to reset and shut down the move.
NSW Waratahs captain Hugh Sinclair rallied his troops through a demanding half, with the pack working overtime at the breakdown and in defence.
The Blues’ backline showed polish, as did the NSW Waratahs show they could create chances, but they failed to make best of those chances and finish them.
As with the second half, it was all about lessons learned.
Hopefully, they are lessons that will return next season, or on July 5 when the NSW Waratahs take on the British and Irish Lions at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.
Penalties: Jack Bowen (2)
Tries: Mark Tele'a (2), Rieko Ioane (3), Corey Evans, Ricky Riccitelli
Conversions: Beauden Barrett (4)
Penalties: Harry Plummer
