Rookie fullback Sid Harvey kicks late penalties against Brumbies to secure NSW win in Canberra
Updated ,first published
Rookie full-back Sid Harvey scored three late penalties to upset the Brumbies to claim the Waratahs’ new iceman crown and secure NSW’s first win in Canberra in almost 3000 days.
The Tahs’ 30-28 win ended an eight-game losing streak at the GIO Stadium dating back to 2019 and came courtesy of Harvey’s accurate shot in the final 15 minutes; this helped break the deadlock in the second half and provided enough cushion to keep the Brumbies at bay.
The 20-year-old full-back, in just his fourth Super Rugby game, was colder than a Canberra winter at the tee and helped the Waratahs to a gutsy win as they looked to lose their grip on the game in the second half, as seen in recent defeats.
With strong defense and well-executed offense, Tahs closed the first half ahead 21-7. But poor discipline helped the Brumbies get back into the contest by scoring from a 90-metre range in the 45th minute after the half-time siren.
When the Brumbies came out shortly after the break to level the scores at 21 and the Tahs began to pass and make mistakes in response, the home side looked set to resume play against a Tahs team who had been eliminated from the competition in the final quarter of their last three games.
But this week would be different. The Tahs fell back on their defense, which had been outstanding all night, to stifle the Brumbies as well.
And then he raised Harvey. Harvey calmly took the shot when the Waratahs won a 65th-minute penalty from 35 meters out. And when the Tahs’ attack won two more penalties in the next eight minutes, the rookie from Narrabri actually kicked twice more.
Despite trailing by nine points, the Brumbies did not usually go down without a fight and Luke Reimer’s try in the 77th minute provided a tense finish. He could have won another point but a last-minute mistake by the Brumbies gave the Tahs a chance to kill the clock and win the game.
It was the Waratahs’ first away win of the season and only their second away win in the last two seasons under Dan McKellar. By contrast, for a side that routinely wins 80 per cent or more at home, the result was the Brumbies’ second defeat after four home games at GIO Stadium this year and could potentially bounce back and put them on target to finish in the top two.
Waratahs captain Matt Philip said: “I’m so proud of the boys. Our faith has been tested over the last three weeks.” “We were ahead in the 60th minute and we haven’t been able to do that in the last two games.
“I’m so proud of the boys, especially here in Canberra. The Brumbies are a very strong team, probably one of the teams in form at the moment, so it’s very important for us.”
Harvey said he never had any doubts about taking the pressure shots.
“You have to want them; I’m happy with everything on 50,” he said. “If MP (Philip) looks at me and asks me to kick, I kick. I come in and nod at him. He’s really good at it. They support me. Same goes for the coaches.”
Harvey said it was “special” to experience his first win with the Waratahs.
“We trained very well this week and prepared very well. It was really satisfying to come in there and train for 80 minutes like we talked about,” he said.
The Brumbies had more possession and county captain Ryan Lonergan said they had done a good job of slowing down the Waratahs’ collapses and attacks and were also better with the swing ball in aerial contests.
The Waratahs had strong performances throughout their forward group; Hooker Ethan Dobbins is taking on another shift which should attract the attention of the Wallabies selectors and Philip, Miles Amatosero and Pete Samu are also excellent.
The Tahs made a staggering 254 tackles and missed only 22 for an effectiveness of 92 percent. Eight players made more than 15 tackles each: Clem Halaholo (22), Amatosero (21), Daniel Botha (20), Jamie Adamson (20 in 48 minutes), Philip (19), Dobbins (18), Joey Walton (17) and Tom Lambert (16).
The Waratahs dominated the air in the first half and struck first following a post-hold scrum and a fine line break and one-handed offload from Dobbins followed by a second offload from Andrew Kellaway set up a pick-and-drive effort to Clem Halaholo.
The Waratahs binned Peter Samu after referee Angus Gardner lost patience following multiple offside penalties on his line, and the Brumbies took advantage soon after by giving Lachlan Shaw a route-one try on the goal line.
The 14-man Tahs responded strongly and continued to probe the Brumbies’ half, thanks to aerial success, deflection tactics and excellent ball retention. Pressure eventually proved insufficient on the Brumbies’ left flanks and Sid Harvey found Kellaway unmarked on the right wing for an unchallenged run to the line.
Impressive Waratahs’ defending led to a third try on the half-hour mark when they repelled waves of Brumbies attacks in their own half with patient and aggressive defending over a four-minute period. Max Jorgensen’s pass at Andy Muirhead led to a breakaway attack and after Jack Debreczeni’s brace run and a contested break the ball was swung out to Joey Walton to score wide to make it 21-7.
The Brumbies were denied a try by Rory Scott before half-time and the Waratahs had good space afterwards to add a fourth five-pointer, but it fell short.
But the Brumbies did not seek the safety of the sheds. After winning a penalty at the half-time siren, the home side struck deep and then won another penalty to put them on the Tahs’ line. Five minutes into extra time and after more NSW penalties, the Brumbies were rewarded for their adventure with a try from Charlie Cale with a pick-and-drive on the line.
The home side leveled just five minutes after the break when an ill-judged cross from Walton gave the Brumbies access to the Tahs’ half, and they piled on the pressure in 14 phases. Shaw scored the second goal when he found the momentum was too much for NSW to handle.
The Waratahs had the best of the game for the next 10 minutes but they gave the ball away and ruined many attacks with dropped balls and lost lineouts.
But just as the Waratahs took another look at the final quarter, the men in sky blue stood up and Harvey did his part.
Rookies shine for Wallaroos in first victory over Fiji
Promising debut performances from a handful of players helped the new-look Wallaroos start the season with a 33-15 victory over Fiji at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
But Australia were forced to work for it, with Fiji proving to be a stubborn opponent who remained in the fight until deep into the second half.
Australia led just 14-10 at half-time after two tries in the first half, but eventually the Wallaroos’ superior strength and fitness showed and the home team scored three more tries after the oranges to secure victory.
Both sides had chances to make more five-run innings but both contenders were predictably rusty in their first innings of the year.
In their first Test after a quarter-final exit at the Rugby World Cup last year, the Wallaroos fielded the first six players in one team in search of some revival. And interim coach Sam Needs has found his calling as all the new players rise to the occasion.
Rookie WA five-eighth Nicole Teddington was the pick of the new group, scoring a brilliant solo try and defending bravely. Center and back-rower Sydney Taylor and reserve rower Lily Bone were also excellent and reserve hooker Britt Merlo also made her long-awaited debut. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce and Piper Simons also put in solid shifts.
Having entered camp just two weeks ago and having yet to play football this year, the Wallaroos were predictably rusty and the Super Rugby Women’s season was moved from February-April to June-July this year.
Australia started stronger but could not convert until Western Force’s talented 22-year-old Teddington showed his class by crossing the line for a solo try in the 14th minute, beating a handful of defenders.
Bridie O’Gorman scored a second soon after, collecting a deflection, but after Australia lost Briana Hoy to the litter, Fiji turned to their strong runners in reply with a first-route try to lock Carletta Yee.
The Fijians pressed hard in the second half but the injection of regular stars such as Georgie Friedrichs and Desi Miller helped the Wallaroos pull away with second half attempts from Stewart and Siokapesi Palu Sekona.
Fiji did not throw in the towel and scored a second goal through Josivini Neihamu, but they failed to score from good attacking position in the final quarter and Australia were relieved not to face a tense final.
The Wallaroos now travel to the United States to face Canada, the United States and New Zealand in next month’s Pacific Four tournament.
Watch every match Super Rugby Pacific lively and special Stan Sports.
Beginning the featuring a roundup of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Iain Payten is senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
