The NSW Waratahs have pulled off a stirring 21-14 win over the Chiefs in their Round 9 Super Rugby Pacific clash at Allianz Stadium, in Moore Park, Sydney delivering a performance full of grit, flair and determination.
In front of a vocal home crowd of 14,278, the NSW Waratahs got off to a flyer, showcasing their attacking intent from the outset.
They held a deserved 14-7 lead at half-time after an entertaining and, at times, frenetic opening 40 minutes that featured two disallowed tries.
While NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar had only praise for his team that responded to their back-to-back losses the best way possible.
"You can't beat the Chiefs and be relieved — just really, really proud,” McKellar said.
“We challenged each other this week, and the boys bounced back incredibly well.
“They turned up tonight with a whole lot of belief."
McKellar said the outcome was largely reflective of the team’s defense.
"Defense is the most important thing in the building,” McKellar said.
“If we want to be a team that’s prepared to fight and work hard for each other time after time after time, you’ll get reward off the back of it — and we got that tonight.
"At halftime, I just said, 'What does it mean to you?' If it means something, then you genuinely go that extra yard and show that bit more care — and we did that."
NSW Waratahs captain and lock Hugh Sinclair lauded the team for being able to respond to the momentum swings in the game, unlike a week ago against Moana Pasifika.
"There were momentum swings — we could have folded like we did against Moana, but the boys bit down on the mouthguard and kept going,” Sinclair said.
“That second half, down a man, they just kept coming. It was really special."
The NSW Waratahs looked sharp from the opening whistle, with early gaps appearing in the Chiefs’ defense.
Lock Ben Grant was the first to pounce, spotting a hole in the line in the 14th minute and surging through to put the home side on the front foot.
Fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii soon lit up the stadium with a blistering run, finishing off a well-timed pass from flyhalf Lawson Creighton to score the opening try of the evening.
Creighton added the extras to hand the Waratahs a 7-0 lead.
The momentum continued to swing the NSW Waratahs’ way as inside centre Joey Walton broke through the line minutes later.
Walton’s quick hands released winger Triston Reilly, who finished a wonderful team move to score the second try.
Creighton remained perfect with the boot, extending the lead to 14-0.
The Chiefs, however, refused to be blown away. Right flanker Luke Jacobson made a powerful break through the Waratahs' defense, leading to winger Leroy Carter crossing out wide.
Damian McKenzie converted to reduce the deficit to seven points.
As the Chiefs looked to build momentum, they suffered a setback when outside centre Gideon Wrampling was shown a yellow card in the 35th minute for a high shot on Suaalii.
The NSW Waratahs pressed hard against the 14-man Chiefs and crossed twice more, only for both tries to be disallowed after some thrilling passages of play.
Despite the frustration, they took a 14-7 advantage into the sheds.
The second half began with the Chiefs threatening to hit back immediately, but it was the NSW Waratahs who struck first.
Just three minutes after the break, fullback Andrew Kellaway burst through a yawning gap in the Chiefs’ defensive line.
After slick support play, scrumhalf Teddy Wilson finished off the move, diving over for a critical try. Creighton added the conversion, stretching the Waratahs’ lead to 21-7.
The Chiefs were quick to respond. Prop Ollie Norris punched through the defensive line to set up a try for flanker Samipeni Finau in the 51st minute.
Fullback Damian McKenzie slotted the conversion, narrowing the Waratahs’ lead to 21-14.
Both teams went to their benches soon after, injecting fresh legs into the contest.
The Chiefs continued to mount pressure with their players making line breaks to keep the NSW Waratahs’ defense under scrutiny.
Despite the pressure, the NSW Waratahs showed impressive resilience.
Substitutes, back Jack Bowen and lock Miles Amatosero added energy around the ruck.
Although Amatosero was later shown a yellow card in the 77th minute, forcing the NSW Waratahs to defend with 14 men in the closing stages.
The Chiefs capitalised on the numerical advantage. But the NSW Waratahs dug deep, backed by a passionate Allianz Stadium crowd that began chanting “New South Wales.”
With the final whistle looming, they absorbed wave after wave of attack, turning the Chiefs away with heroic defense to close out a famous 21-14 victory.
Tries: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Triston Reilly, Teddy Wilson
Conversions: Lawson Creighton (3)
Tries: Leroy Carter, Samipeni Finau
Conversions: Damian McKenzie (2)
