The Waratahs have continued their stunning transformation in 2022 with a 32-20 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Less than a month after pulling off the season’s biggest upset with a win over the Crusaders in Sydney, the Waratahs added another impressive New Zealand scalp to this year’s revival, after failing to win a game in 2021.
The Waratahs on Sunday afternoon conceded points early before responding with three straight tries, courtesy of Will Harris, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Michael Hooper to go in at the main break with a 12-point lead.
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While it was all positive signs for the New South Wales-based outfit, things quickly shifted when the Highlanders took advantage of a 14-man side when Paddy Ryan was hit with a yellow card for a dangerous cleanout.
Ryan’s 10-minute stint off the field quickly saw the Waratahs’ lead shrink to just four points with 25 minutes remaining on the clock.
But mounting penalties from the home side gifted the Waratahs field position and easy shots in front of the sticks to stretch the margin out before Tane Edmed’s try in the 77th minute put the result beyond doubt.
The Highlanders did manage a late consolation try to Liam Coombes-Fabling after the final siren sounded.
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It was the Waratahs’ first win in Dunedin since 2008.
“It was a tight contest, pretty enjoyable game, we started really well. They got the first try in the game, but we wrestled back momentum. We played good footy, held the ball well and executed when we got our chances,” Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon told Stan Sport after the game.
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“Our bench was great… it was a great team effort. We spoke about finishing games strongly because the last few games we hadn’t.”
Highlanders skipper Aaron Smith said his side’s ill-discipline cost them in the end.
“We lacked a bit of intensity… our discipline again crept up on us. We were pretty passive on defence in big patches which is pretty disappointing.”