‘Poor’ NSW Waratahs happy to sneak away with Durban draw

The Waratahs have played average rugby in their opening two games, yet somehow remain undefeated.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 03: Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs looks to tackle S'busiso Nkosi of the Cell C Sharks during the Super Rugby match between Cell C Sharks and Waratahs at Kings Park on March 03, 2018 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

KURTLEY Beale has travelled with the Waratahs to Argen­tina but his rib injury will be monitored throughout the week as NSW seek to keep their unbeaten start to the ­season intact.

The Waratahs’ thrilling 24-all draw with the Sharks in Durban means they are one of just five undefeated teams after the opening three rounds of Super Rugby.

But that does not disguise their continuing set-piece concerns, which will be compounded by the potential loss of key playmaker Beale against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires next Sunday morning.

Beale was sidelined just ­before halftime against the Sharks with rib cartilage damage and needs scans.

The Tahs began their marathon 18-hour journey from Durban to Argentina’s capital after the draw, and Beale accompanied his teammates instead of being flown home.

The Jaguares have lost all three of their games and are bottom of the table. But they are particularly strong in the scrum, where NSW struggled again after being dominated by the Stormers in their opening match.

Having won that match after the fulltime siren, the Tahs produced a 76th-minute try to replacement halfback Mitch Short, followed by a sideline conversion from ­Bernard Foley, to earn two valuable competition points on tour.

NSW coach Daryl Gibson was relieved to snatch the draw, but unimpressed with several areas.

“I thought we were pretty poor tonight,” Gibson said.

“We lacked ball control, turned the ball over and put a lot of pressure on ourselves.

“To come away with a game with two points, sure, I am happy about that, but I am certainly not happy with our performance.

“We know we have to be much better if we are going to be competitive in this com­petition.”

The Tahs are second in the Australian conference behind Melbourne Rebels, who defeated the Sunwolves in Tokyo last Saturday for two wins from as many games.

New Zealand’s Crusaders and Highlanders, and South Africa’s Lions, are the other undefeated sides.

The Rebels host the Brumbies in Melbourne on Friday before NSW face the Jaguares at Jose Amalfitani Stadium.

The Tahs then face off against Melbourne at Allianz Stadium on March 18.

Gibson recognises there is plenty to work on.

“I guess we have set pretty high expectations this year,” Gibson said.

Originally published as ‘Poor’ NSW Waratahs happy to sneak away with Durban draw