Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams square off as Waratahs beat Chiefs 38-36 in Super Rugby trial

ISRAEL Folau scored a try, Sonny Bill Williams returned and Rob Horne bagged a hat-trick in a high-scoring trial clash between the Waratahs and Chiefs.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 06: Sonny Bill Williams of the Chiefs and Israel Folau of the Waratahs share a joke after the Super Rugby trial match between the Waratahs and Chiefs at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on February 6, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

IT may have been a trial match, but it said everything when the Chiefs attempted a 44-metre penalty goal in the final minute in a bid to defeat defending Super Rugby champions NSW.

Damian McKenzie missed his kick, the Waratahs withstood an ensuing barrage of attack before a Sonny Bill Williams pass to Seta Tamanivalu was spilt and the battle was won at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

The sky blue faithful will be pleased that the same cornerstones of the premiership remain; muscle up front, speed out wide, an enthusiasm for passing, and a breakneck work-rate.

A hat-trick to winger Rob Horne paved way for the win, NSW’s final outing before they begin their title defence on Sunday week against Western Force at Allianz Stadium.

Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Folau after full-time.

Their backrow was outstanding against the Chiefs; tireless flanker Michael Hooper was unmatched in work-rate, Jacques Potgieter showed again why he will be one of the most damaging ball-carriers in the competition, while Wycliff Palu rattled more than a few bones in defence.

Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale, and Bernard Foley all shone in attack, in front of a decent, appreciative crowd.

NSW led 33-28 at half-time.

Rob Horne scores a try for the Waratahs.

The second half was error-riddled and sloppy, a predictable outcome of the high-octane opening stanza.

The 61 points in the first half told the story of approach from both teams, although the Tahs attacked in endless waves while the Chiefs preferred to counter-punch in rapid bursts.

The result must be tempered by context.

Israel Folau on the charge for the Waratahs.

NSW fielded their best possible line-up bar injured winger Peter Betham, while the Chiefs were missing their most influential players; Aaron Cruden, Brodie Rettalick, Liam Messam and Sam Cane.

Nevertheless, the Tahs flexed significant muscle. They will be tough to topple.

Captain Dave Dennis entered the fray in the 16th minute — his first game since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last June — and was a rock until he came off in the 52nd.

Dennis, playing in his new position at lock, won his first lineout just two minutes after coming on, and alleviated problems NSW had endured in receiving kick-offs by stoically defusing the next Chiefs restart.

Playing his first game for the Chiefs in two years, Williams came on in the second half and was busy with mixed results.

Sonny Bill Williams tries to break through a tackle.

Horne completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute, giving NSW a 38-31 lead, before a runaway try from Chiefs flanker Tevita Kolomatangi cut that to 38-36 with five minutes to play.

NSW had scored two tries in the opening eight minutes, the first in the fourth courtesy of giant winger Taqele Naiyaravaro, who continues to bump up his value to prospective foreign suitors.

Horne crossed in the opposite corner soon after, benefiting from precision passing between Beale and Foley, who fed Adam Ashley-Cooper and the centre obligingly broke the line according to script.

Ashley-Cooper drew the last man and passed to a grateful Horne.

Will Skelton charges into the Chiefs defence.

Chiefs playmaker McKenzie kept his side in touch through penalty goals and then set up returning former All Black Hosea Gear by drawing two tacklers and passing to the unmarked winger.

By the 20th minute the scores were locked at 14-all after a third McKenzie penalty, and then from the kick-off the Chiefs orchestrated a sensational break that saw halfback Brad Weber race upfield, beat four defenders and pass to winger Bryce Heem who finished off an 80-metre move.

But it wasn’t long before Folau found his own try, putting himself in the perfect spot to receive a pass after Sekope Kepu had scuttled two defenders and off-loaded.

Foley converted the try but minutes later had a clearing kick charged down from his own quarter, with Chiefs lock Michael Fitzgerald scooping up his good work and diving over with Nick Phipps on his back.

Sonny Bill Williams gets a flick pass away for the Chiefs.

Chiefs No. 8 Maa’ma Vaipulu was sin-binned three minutes before the break for slowing down NSW’s attacking ball.

From a dominant scrum, Phipps flung the ball to Foley who held up a sublime inside pass for Horne, who bagged his second try.

The half-time siren had already sounded but the Tahs surged furiously at the Chiefs’ line and Potgieter thundered onto a short pass from the base of the ruck to power over.

NSW Waratahs 38 (Taqele Naiyaravoro, Rob Horne 3, Israel Folau, Jacques Potgieter tries; Bernard Foley 4 cons; pens;) defeated the Chiefs 36 (Hosea Gear, Bryce Heem, Michael Fitzgerald, Tevita Koloamatangi tries; Marty McKenzie 3 cons; Marty McKenzie 3, Damien McKenzie pens;) Campbelltown Stadium, 5103.