Waratahs batter Brumbies to end 13-game losing streak

NSW Waratahs have ended a 13-game losing run against Super Rugby rivals, the Brumbies, prevailing in a seven-try thriller. But baffling officiating threatened to undermine what was a classic.

Waratahs players celebrates their win over the Brumbies. Picture: Getty Images

Imagine how many people would watch rugby if the code’s out of touch rulers ever fixed the baffling officiating that keeps stalling the game?

The 2025 Super Rugby season might just be the best ever because the quality of play has been absolutely breathtaking at times but it’s being undermined by inconsistent rulings that leave spectators and players all wondering what’s going on.

Saturday’s derby between the Waratahs and Brumbies was a classic case in point.

It was a great contest, a seven-try thriller won 28-23 by NSW, but there were still too many moments when everyone was left scratching their heads.

Langi Gleeson runs the ball for the Waratahs. Picture: Getty Images

Don’t blame the referees. They’re just following the laws that are in place, but there are occasions when it becomes almost comical.

A NSW try that should have been called back for a foot in touch was allowed to stand. Then a Brumbies try, which followed a clear knock on, was eventually ruled out after the match officials stopped the game to watch a series of replays.

To be fair, the rulings didn’t affect the outcome but they did take some of the gloss off a night when Sydney’s fickle crowds returned in their droves .

Frustrated by their team’s unfulfilled promises, no-one can blame the Waratahs’ fans for staying away but they are slowly starting to return.

More than 20,000 turned up, aided by the presence of 2,500 junior players for the annual community round.

Rob Leota celebrates the Waratahs’ win. Picture: Getty Images

The reason for the extra clicks at the turnstiles had nothing to do with the absent wonder boy Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who has been sidelined for more than a month with a toe problem.

It was because of a much simpler explanation: it’s because the men in sky blue are actually winning and the games are adrenaline-packed entertainment.

Unbeaten at Allianz Stadium, the Waratahs have now won four of their first five matches this season, including Saturday’s drought-breaking victory over the ACT Brumbies, who have long been NSW’s bogey team.

Until Saturday, the men from the nation’s capital had won their last 13 matches on the trot against the Waratahs and had never tired of reminding them.

But this year’s Waratahs team is playing as good as they are to watch, and the timing was perfect with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in attendance, running his eye over everyone with the British and Lions touring later this year.

Lachlan Shaw wins a line out for the Brumbies. Picture: Getty Images

While both teams were guilty of kicking the ball almost as many times as the Socceroos in their 5-1 thumping of Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, it produced some worthy highlight reels.

Teddy Wilson’s opening try for NSW was a beauty, coming from a turnover. Triston Reilly and Joey Walton scored off chip kicks while Rob Leota crossed the old-fashioned way, running straight over the top of a smaller defender.

Trailing 21-6 at halftime, the Brumbies got to within three points with 15 minutes to go but this was NSW’s night after they answered their critics in the best way possible following last weekend’s loss to Queensland.

“We had our integrity questioned during the week and that’s hard to take,” Waratahs captain Hugh Sinclair said.

“A lot of people wrote a few things about us and we responded.

“It’s just great to win.

“We just had to stay in the fight ….because we’ve got some quality young players that we’re trying to free up the shackles a bit for.”