Waratahs back on track after Rebels blitz

THE New South Wales Waratahs scored 41 points in the second half to stun the Melbourne Rebels 51-27 in their Super Rugby clash in Sydney on Sunday.

A week after a demoralising loss to the Jaguares in Argentina, the Waratahs came from 20-3 down in the first half to de moli s h t he pre v i o us l y unbeaten Rebels.

The bonus point win gets the Waratahs’ season back on track after a draw and a loss in their last two matches.

It also halted the Rebels’ momentum following their superb start to the season with three bonus-point victories.

The Waratahs’ resurgence was built on the use of the high ball all to Israel Folau (pictured, AFP) FP) and Curtis Rona on the he wings, with the Rebels ebels unable to cope with the aerial bombardment. ardment.

“We were put under nder a l ot of pressure ressure in the first rst half,” NSW captain aptain Michael Hooper ooper said.

“We let in some easy asy tries but we knew new something was building and that hat was our focus at t half-time – to come ome out and see what we could do under the high ball.” b The Rebels went into the match with all the momentum and started much better than their hosts.

Melbourne centre Tom English crossed in the fifth minute after Kurtley Beale B dropped the ball on his own line.

Ber na rd Fole y got t he home side on the board with a p e n a l t y but M e l b o u r n e t h e n t o o k c ont r ol a nd sk ipped away to a 20-3 lead t ha n nks k s to t r ies b y J a p a n e s e i n t e r n a t i o n a l Amanaki Mafi and rising star Jack Maddocks.

‘Turned us around’

Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi scored against the run of play right on half-time to make it 20-10 at the break.

But nobody could have predicted what was to come in the second half as the Warata hs ra n i n fou r t r ies i n 16 minutes.

Rob Simmons, Mitch Short, Bryce Hegarty and replacement wing Taqele Naiyaravoro all scored as the home side raced out to a 41-20 lead.

The Rebels got one back when lock Matt Philip touched down under the posts, but a Foley penalty and Naiyaravo- ro’s second right on full-time brought up the half century.

“I think the Waratahs really capitalised on our mistakes,” Melbourne captain Adam Coleman said.

“They really plugged the corners well and turned us around and unfortunately we couldn’t swing the momentum in the second half.”

The Rebels play the Sharks at home on Friday night.

“The most pleasing thing is we’re going home and going to play in front of our home fans,” Coleman said.

“We’re going straight home now so we’ll be home early and hopefully we’ll recover well.”

The Waratahs have a bye next weekend.