Waratahs hammer the Reds

THE Waratahs savoured their biggest win yet over the Reds, winning the Australian Super 15 derby 32-5 in Sydney yesterday.

The Waratahs ended a fivegame losing run against the Reds to humble their interstate rivals five tries to one, with Israel Folau scoring a try double after grabbing a hat-trick the previous week.

The 26-point margin eclipsed the Waratahs’ previous highest winning margin over the Reds of 24 in a 30-6 win three years ago.

It was a dominant performance by the Waratahs, upsetting the Reds with rugged uncompromising defence and moving the ball quickly from the rucks.

They held a 19-5 half-time lead and kept the Reds scoreless in the second-half to remain unbeaten with two wins this season under coach Michael Cheika.

Folau had an eventful match, scoring his two tries in the opening 25 minutes before being yellow-carded for intentionally knocking the ball into touch to prevent Reds winger Dom Shipperley from scoring nearing half-time.

The Reds’ only points came seconds later when former Waratahs’ winger Lachie Turner crossed wide out.

The Waratahs clinched the match seven minutes after halftime when Kurtley Beale scored off a quick free kick close to the Reds’ line.

“We had our forwards doing the hard work and then our backs looked fantastic,” Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper said. “We played our game in the wet conditions and it paid off.

“We are starting to get confidence in our ability to attack from anywhere, and we can build on this confidence.”

The Waratah forwards dominated the Reds pack, with South African hard man Jacques Potgieter prominent.

Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley won the battle of the halves over Wallaby pair Will Genia and Quade Cooper, with Foley finishing with three conversions and two penalties.

The Waratahs will have a bye next weekend before taking on the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on March 15. — AFP