NSW Waratahs suffer 11th straight loss in New Zealand against Chiefs
The Waratahs’ stay in the Super Rugby graveyard in New Zealand has been extended. NSW’s 28-point loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton was their 11th consecutive Tasman defeat.
Waikato Stadium in Hamilton offers one of the toughest challenges in Super Rugby for visiting teams. They are an ultra-physical band and are greeted by the incessant cowbells of the crowd. It will relentlessly shine a light on mistakes and shine a light on NSW. The Waratahs were unable to cope with an extremely physical Chiefs team or hold on to the football when it mattered.
NSW full-back Sid Harvey has been outstanding in his previous four Super Rugby matches, including last Saturday’s victory over the Brumbies, and it is a sign of the 20-year-old’s talent that his worst match so far this season against the Chiefs still included a good try and two conversions.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Harvey had signed a contract with the Waratahs for a further two years after showing superb early-season form. On Saturday night in Hamilton , Harvey showed that he’s still a young man learning his craft, which can’t be a long highlights reel.
Harvey showed composure enough to step up his performance in the second half; His team was physically superior, torn apart by handling errors, and the NSW bench was empty.
If failure is a greater teacher than success, Harvey’s trip to Hamilton will have taught a valuable lesson for one of Australian rugby’s most exciting talents.
Harvey was guilty of five turnovers and misjudged a well-timed fierce strike from Chiefs halfback Xavier Roe, leaving winger Kyren Taumoefolau to score the home side’s first try eight minutes later.
Harvey almost immediately had a chance to respond for the Waratahs, but Pete Samu’s forward pass to No 8 denied the visitors a potential try-scoring opportunity.
NSW struggled to hold on to football in the early stages of the game, which was played in dry conditions in Hamilton. The Waratahs’ lack of discipline also invited increased pressure from the Chiefs, which proved difficult to resist.
Max Jorgensen did a great job to stop Emoni Narawa from scoring a point after running from midfield to tackle the winger, but there was a ready feeling that this was delaying the inevitable.
The inevitable came with the emergence of Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, who scored his second try after waves of bruising approached the Waratahs line. The hooker was also at the center of a massive attacking unit that strained the NSW front row, one of the bright spots of a mixed season.
No other team in Super Rugby plays as wide as the Waratahs and it was fitting that a long pass from Jorgensen to Harvey gave the full-back the first try of his professional career. Harvey followed this with a tricky conversion down the left wing.
The Chiefs responded by trying All Black center Quinn Tupaea; he then headed past the Waratahs, bounced Harvey off his shoulder and then scrambled to score. Moments later Harvey tried to clear a shot, only to be swallowed in a pile, which led to a straightforward penalty that led to the Chiefs extending their lead to 16 points at half-time.
The Waratahs brought on former captain Jake Gordon to bring some half-time lead but it wasn’t enough to stabilize a team that looked physically overwhelmed.
Tupaea showed why he is ahead in the Super Rugby player of the year vote by scoring his second try for the Chiefs.
Despite a tremendous defensive effort from the departing Charlie Gamble, Chiefs were finding space against an exhausted opponent and Samipeni Finau’s effort extended the lead to 30 points.
NSW No.8 Pete Samu scored a consolation try for his team following an attacking run from former Taniela Tupou guard and replacement tighthead prop Siosifa Amone. The Waratahs looked to attack late in the game, but a cross-ball strike from Triston Reilly gifted Taumoefolau his second try.
NSW will have a week’s break thanks to the bye before returning with a home game against Moana Pacifica.
A heavy defeat to the Chiefs in New Zealand is nothing new for visiting Waratahs, but for a team desperate to get into the finals it provides a stark reality check.
