Waratahs on a roll into play-offs
THE Waratahs head into the Super Rugby play-offs unbeaten in seven games after mastering the Reds 34-3 in their final round match in Brisbane yesterday.
The Waratahs claimed a bonus point in their four tries to nil victory in their biggest win over the Reds in Super Rugby.
The Sydneysiders finished the regular season seven points clear at the top of the standings and will now have a week off before hosting a semifinal for the first time.
The momentum is building for the Waratahs as they chase their first Super Rugby title and coach Michael Cheika was able to rest key player Israel Folau from the Australian derby with the Reds.
In Folau’s absence his Wallaby teammate, Kurtley Beale, was outstanding, scor- ing two tries and having a hand in another in an impressive game as playmaker.
The Waratahs other try scorers were fullback Jono Lance and scrumhalf Nick Phipps, with flyhalf Bernard Foley kicking four conversions and two penalties.
The Reds’ only points came from a penalty in the fourth minute from Mike Harris.
New Zealand referee Mike Fraser pulled out the yellow card twice — sending Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu to the sin bin for punching Beau Robinson, while the Reds’ replacement, Sam Johnson, was shown yellow for a lifting tackle on Beale.
The Reds, who failed to reach the play-offs for the first time since their 2011 championship-winning season, lost three players through injury during the match — Ben Lucas, Ben Tapuai and Ben Daley.
It was the Reds’ biggest loss to the Waratahs in 19 seasons of Super Rugby and their lowest score at Suncorp Stadium.
“It was good to put a few tries on and keep them tryless so we have a week off now, but Queensland came out really tough tonight,” Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper said.
“It was a good test for us tonight, they have a good setpiece so we can really build off this game.”
Reds skipper James Horwill said everything was going the Waratahs’ way to win this season’s Super 15 title.
“They have pretty much a full list of players to choose from and they don’t have to travel if they keep on winning,” Horwill said. —