Suaalii’s debut another stunner as Waratahs pip Highlanders

If Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s international debut in England was spectacular, his Super Rugby sequel on Valentine’s evening provided just as much excitement with the Waratahs beating the Highlanders by one point.

An hour before the game, Suaalii sat barefoot under the crossbar in a stadium taking in his surroundings. Allianz Stadium is a familiar place to Suaalii after playing there so often with the Roosters, but now he faced a far greater weight of expectation in round one.

The Waratahs were desperate to use their star recruit at every opportunity and frequently tried to use Suaalii in the air after the tactic worked so well for the Wallabies.

Suaalii’s first touch was a spectacular take in the air from a box kick, but too often the Waratahs tried to repeat the trick without success.

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar had said before the game that it wasn’t going to be a perfect performance and he was correct, with his side struggling to connect on the field in the early stages.

The Highlanders were desperate to ruin Suaalii’s homecoming and succeeded within five minutes after a brilliant try from winger Caleb Tangitau who easily sped past Andrew Kellaway.

Centre Timoci Tavatavanawai followed up with the Highlanders’ second try of the evening after sustained pressure.

The Waratahs slowly made their way back into the game through two penalties from five-eighth Tane Edmed and a well-taken try from debutant Rob Leota that gave them a 13-12 lead.

The Waratahs also benefitted from the Highlanders’ discipline issues with the New Zealanders losing try-scorer Tangitau and Mitchell Dunshea in the first half.

David Porecki returned to the Waratahs with a try from a rolling maul after missing the whole of last season due to injury.

The Highlanders had played a lot of the game with a deficit of at least one player after a couple of yellow cards, and once they had their full lineup together Veveni Lasaqa crashed over to bring them back into the lead.

After a dummy from Suaalii who was held up just short of the line, the impressive Max Jorgensen scored in the corner to give a strong response from the Waratahs.

Almost straight after the try, the Highlanders responded after a quick lineout completely took the Waratahs by surprise and Tangitau cruised through unopposed to get his second try of the night,

The Waratahs pulled back into the lead after replacement tighthead prop Siosifa Amone crashed through after a well-worked lineout move.

A converted try for the Highlanders’ Sefo Kautai gave the visitors a six-point lead with seven minutes left in the game.

With two minutes to go Amone crashed over for his second try, and Bowen kicked the conversion to give the Waratahs a one-point victory.

Last year, the Highlanders broke the Waratahs’ hearts by winning 21-23, with Tane Edmed missing a kick after siren. This time the Waratahs held their nerve when it mattered most. The only way is up.

The Waratahs earn a penalty with three minutes left and it’s all or nothing here. They drive forward and are five metres out with 90 seconds on the clock. It’s more patient build-up but the Highlanders’ defence is up to the task for now.

And then ... it breaks! Try Waratahs!

Siosifa Amone takes it and barrels over from a metre out, and the Waratahs have won it!

Or have they? Referee Angus Gardner is checking the final try with the video official. And now he’s confirmed it, with Jack Bowen’s conversion handing the Waratahs a one-point victory. Incredible stuff.

Waratahs 37, Highlanders 36 at full-time

It’s all-out attack in this second half, with the Highlanders hurtling forward and pinning the Waratahs defenders to their own line before Sefo Kautai gets over from close range. Cameron Millar converts and the Highlanders lead by six.

Both defences are fatiguing and it looks like a genuine race to the finish line at this point.

Highlanders 36, Waratahs 30 after 72 minutes

Amazing stuff as the Waratahs hit the front again, with a perfectly worked play from a lineout resulting in Siosifa Amone scooting around to score in the right corner. It’s the sixth lead change of an enthralling contest.

Waratahs 30, Highlanders 29 after 68 minutes

Andrew Kellaway takes a run for the Waratahs.Credit: Getty Images

Incredibly, the Highlanders lead again. It seems like neither team is able to stay in front here, with some poor Waratahs defence and some good hands from the Highlanders allowing Caleb Tangitau to dive over again.

Highlanders 29, Waratahs 25 after 63 minutes

The Waratahs receive a penalty and set themselves with a lineout inside the Highlanders’ 22. After some patient build-up Joseph Suaalii takes it himself, beats two defenders and charges to the line. He’s held up just short but with the Highlanders defence on the back foot Max Jorgensen finds his way over and the hosts are back in front.

Waratahs 25, Highlanders 22 after 61 minutes

From the resulting penalty the Highlanders drive forward from a lineout, and this time they can’t be stopped from point-blank range. Veveni Lasaqa is ruled to have scored despite replays raising questions about the grounding, and Sam Gilbert adds the extras.

Highlanders 22, Waratahs 20 after 57 minutes

The Highlanders go on the attack and look dangerous when Caleb Tangitau finds Tanielu Tele’a on the left touchline, but Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii does very well to wrap him up as the Tahs defence scrambles.

NSW eventually earns a penalty, to great cheers from the Sydney crowd, only for the decision to be overturned by the video officials with Angus Bell instead penalised for making a no-arms tackle.

The Waratahs have a big pack this season and it gets the business done here, rolling over their counterparts with a driving maul and allowing Dave Porecki to score after a Highlanders error near their own line.

NSW lead again but the Highlanders are back to full strength now with both men back from their yellow cards.

Waratahs 20, Highlanders 15 after 48 minutes

A charging run from Timoci Tavatavanawai puts the Highlanders on the attack and they get their chance to regain the lead with Taniela Tupou is penalised for taking out a player off the ball. Sam Gilbert slots the simplest of penalty goals from right in front and the Tahs trail once more.

Highlanders 15, Waratahs 13 after 44 minutes