Super Rugby 2015: NSW Waratahs defeat ACT Brumbies in thrilling derby clash at Allianz Stadium

THE NSW Waratahs have scored an impressive 28-13 victory over the ACT Brumbies in a fiery derby clash at Allianz Stadium.

Waratahs Kurtley Beale makes a break during the NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies Super Rugby game at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

ISRAEL Folau’s class proved the difference in a hard-fought victory for the Waratahs over the Brumbies in Sydney today.

The defending champions finally kickstarted their title defence by posting a 28-13 win at Allianz Stadium​, and in a typically physical clash that saw several flare-ups and aggressive hits, the brilliance of Folau was the ​​element that separated them.

Of three Waratahs tries, Folau scored one - breaking a five-match drought - and set up the other two for Bernard Foley and Tolu Latu. For the last try to Latu, which sealed the match in the 73rd minute, the Waratahs superstar fullback started the attacking play with a stunning 50 metre run that saw him beat five defenders.

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Folau’s guile was telling but the victory wouldn’t have been possible either without a muscular performance from the NSW forwards, who outpointed a highly physical Brumbies pack.

The ACT side suffered from poor handling and rushed decision making when in sight of the line.

In a further worry, Tevita Kuridrani left the field with a potentially serious shoulder injury in the second half.

The Brumbies kicked out to an early lead when Matt Toomua scored in the third minute, having ghosted through the NSW defensive line 20 metres in a similar fashion to his coach Stephen Larkham. The Brumbies no.10 sprinted his way to the line to score.

The Waratahs rallied and attacked the Brumbies line hard but a scoring chance was lost when Scott Fardy knocked down a Bernard Foley pass as they attacked the line. After consultation with the TMO, referee Craig Joubert sin-binned Fardy but wasn’t satisfied a try would have been scored by Wycliff Palu on the outside.

Waratah Israel Folau celebrates after scoring a try.

The Brumbies defended well with a man down, however, and after stopping the Tahs short of the line on several occasions, NSW had to settle for two penalties and bring to the score back to 7-6.

The contact zone was brutally fought, and both sides were treading a fine line between fair and foul.

But loose discipline by NSW saw them slip back behind when they gave up another pair of penalties, and Christian Lealliafano bagged them both.

Attacking hard on the inside channels, NSW were getting nothing against the Brumbies defence so they shifted it wider and it paid immediate dividends.

A long ball found Israel Folau, who drifted outside Tevita Kuridrani and slipped past with a strong fend.

Michael Hooper of the Waratahs tackles Henry Speight of the Brumbies.

Foley supported on the inside and took a pass to score in the 25th minute.

The hosts went back to the same spot six minutes later, when Folau fed Matt Carraro for a gap on the right edge. After a break through he returned the ball to a looming Folau, who scored a second for the Tahs and gave them a 20-13 halftime lead.

The second half ground down to an attritional battle, with both sides struggling for ascendancy.

The sting in defence, and huge arm-wrestles in both the set-piece and at the breakdown, made continuity almost impossible.

The Brumbies had the best scoring opportunity in the 68th minute when Henry Speight finally got and overlap and an open corner to make a run at.

Joe Tomane of the Brumbies is pursued by Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs,

But a desperate cover tackle from Michael Hooper saw the Wallaby winger drop the ball over the line.

In a game like this, it was the last chance they’d get,

The Waratahs cleared their zone and soon after a long Brumbies kick was fielded by Folau.

In a remarkable solo run, the Waratahs fullback ran the ball back 50 metres and beat five ACT defenders. The Tahs continued attacking, and several phases later the ball was swung wide to the left and it found Folau again, who delivered the last pass for Tolu Latu to race in and score.

Latu, who was replacing the injured Tatafu Polota-Nau, was yellow-carded with minutes remaining but his big effort was rewarded with a standing ovation by the NSW crowd.

Waratah Kurtley Beale makes a break.

WARATAHS 28 (Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Tolu Latu tries Foley 2 cons Foley 2, Kurtley Beale pens) bt BRUMBIES 13 (Matt Toomua try Christian Leali’ifano con 2 pens) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Craig Joubert.

WARATAHS (1-15): Benn Robinson, Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Wil Skelton, Dave Dennis, Jacques Potgieter, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Matt Carraro, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Israel Folau.

Reserves: Hugh Roach, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Sam Lousi, MitchellChapman, Stephen Hoiles, Brendan McKibbin, Jono Lance, Peter Betham.

BRUMBIES (1-15): Scott Sio, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Jarrad Butler, Ita Vaea, Nic White, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Christian Leali’ifano, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Robbie Coleman

Reserves: Josh Mann-Rea, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Jordan Smiler, David Pocock, Michael Dowsett, James Dargaville, Lausii Taliauli.

Originally published as Super Rugby 2015: NSW Waratahs defeat ACT Brumbies in thrilling derby clash at Allianz Stadium