Waratahs fall short in the rain to a gallant Brumbies side 14-29 at Pittwater Rugby Park, Warringah.
The atmosphere at RAT Park was electric, with a vibrant crowd coming out to support their team. However, the match kicked off on a challenging note for the Waratahs as the Brumbies wasted no time, pushing the ball out wide with a long pass that opened the scoring just one minute into the game.
The Tahs had a slow start but quickly settled into the match, holding possession in the attacking half. They put their heads down and got to work, earning a penalty and opting for a scrum. Unfortunately, their efforts didn’t translate into points as play broke down resulting in a handover.
As the half progressed, the Tahs attempted several set plays, but overkicks and simple errors hindered their progress. Finally, a breakthrough came when scrum-half Hwi Sharples handed the ball off to Eamon Doyle after a ruck, allowing Doyle to dive over the line for the Tahs' first try.
The Brumbies quickly retaliated as Lipina Ata crashed over for a try, returning to the lead after their pack executed a powerful set piece. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but the Brumbies were back with a lead.
A critical moment in the match came when Brendan Palmer made a try-saving tackle against the Brumbies, but he received a yellow card for illegally stripping the ball. The Tahs struggled without Palmer, and the Brumbies capitalised on their one-man advantage, with Shane Wilcox driving over for another try.
The Brumbies demonstrated their strength at the breakdown throughout the half, consistently counter-rucking and stealing possession. Just as the halftime siren went, they exploited the gap left by Palmer, with Silas Pilot scoring his second try, putting the Brumbies up 22-7 at the break.
As the second half began, a quick play from Sid Harvey resulted in a forward pass from the Brumbies, giving the Tahs a scrum feed under the posts. The Tahs capitalised on this opportunity, with Tom Klem breaking through for their second try, building momentum into the second half.
However, the Tahs' momentum was dampened shortly after when a charge down by the Brumbies led to a damaging try that shook the Tahs confidence. The rain began to fall, coinciding with the Brumbies' scoring surge.
Despite the conditions, Tunui Jorgensen made a strong pick-and-drive effort for the Tahs but lost the ball just short of the line. Captain Eamon Doyle made a determined run up the field but was brought down in the wet weather.
Sid Harvey and Liam Grover connected well along the left wing, exchanging passes, but they were unlucky to lose possession as the adverse weather continued to impact the game.
The final score stood at 29-14 in favour of the Brumbies, marking the end of the undefeated run for the U19s. While the result may not have been what the Tahs hoped for, their resilience and determination throughout the match showcased their potential as they look to regroup and come back stronger in their next outing.
Winger Brendan Palmer spoke following the game about what the team needs to improve, stating, “We all really need to get on the same page to be where we need to be next week.”
He emphasised the importance of on field chat, saying, “We need to improve our communication and really work and focus in on the breakdown.” Despite the loss, he recognized individual efforts, adding, “I do believe Jacob Veiru really had a good crack; everyone ran, and I really noticed his efforts out there today.”
Try Sorcerers: Eamon Doyle, Thomas Klem
Conversion: Sid Harvey 2/2
