Under the glowing lights of Warringah Rugby Park in Sydney, the newly formed NSW Waratahs Super Rugby AUS team ran out to face interstate opponents, the Western Force.
Friday Night Rugby was back in full force and the cool evening with an eight kilometre wind didn’t deter Waratahs fans, who turned out in numbers for the free event.
The Waratahs kicked off and worked hard to earn position in the opening minutes, applying pressure to the Force forwards and gained promising possession.
After a series of penalties against the Force, the Waratahs opted to kick and placed the first three points on the board.
The following minutes were dominated by strong defensive efforts from both teams, with penalties conceded.
A lack of match fitness on both sides was evident.
Continued penalties from the Waratahs saw Captain Matt Philip placed on the sidelines for ten minutes which left the side without their captain and one man down.
Even with a player short, the Waratahs held out strong, attacking the Force.
Following Philip’s return, the Waratahs' game appeared more structured and organised.
Winger Sid Harvey took a mark, which allowed the team a brief moment to regather and consider their strategy for the closing ten minutes of the first half.
Minutes before half-time, fast line speed from the Force shifted the ball across the field to Justin Landman, who dashed down the sideline.
The Waratahs were hot in pursuit as halfback Teddy Wilson and inside centre Jackson Ropata made a massive defensive push to stop the run.
Continued defensive efforts from the Waratahs eventually resulted in a penalty being conceded, with the Force opting to kick.
Both teams walked into the sheds at halftime, locked at three points apiece.
The Force struck less than a minute into the second half when George Poolman made a line break which split open the Waratahs’ defence and Henry Robertson crossed the line for the game's first try that Max Burey converted.
The Force continued their offensive dominance.
Following a line-out inside the Waratahs’ red zone, a series of inside passes pushed Darcy Swain over for the Force’s second try of the half that Burey again converted.
In the final minute, Mac Grealy finished the job for the visitors, scoring their third try.
After a successful conversion by Burey, the Force had extended the lead to twenty one points.
The Waratahs fought hard throughout but were unable to bridge the gap. The match finished 24–3 to the Western Force.
Western Force (24) defeat NSW Waratahs (3)
Location: Warringah Rugby Park, Sydney
Penalties: Sid Harvey (1)
Yellow Cards: Matt Philip (1)
Tries: Henry Robertson (1), Darcy Swain (1), Mac Grealy (1)
Conversions: Max Burey (3)
Penalties: Max Burey (1)
