Harrison try keeps ‘Tahs in play-off race

THE WARATAHS kept their Super Rugby AU play-off hopes alive in a tense ninetry thriller to edge out the Melbourne Rebels 38-32.

In a win that leaves the Rebels needing a bonuspoint victory over the Western Force next week to unseat the ‘Tahs in third, tries from Jake Gordon and Jack Dempsey gave the visiting ‘Tahs the upper hand at the break, 17-10.

Isa Naisarani struck back after the restart to add to Matt Toomua’s try in the first-half, with the No.8 peeling off a lineout maul to crash over from short range and draw the scores level.

But this only fired up the Waratahs, triggering an endto-end contest that saw Harry Johnson-Holmes and

Joey Walton cross the line to build a ten-point cushion.

Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete closed the gap on the hour mark and when Nasarani completed his brace for 14-man Rebels, who had lock Ned Hanigan in the bin for repeated infringements, the season looked over for the Waratahs on a must-win occasion.

However, 21-year-old flyhalf Will Harrison, below, benefitted from a Michael Hooper charge down to score in dramatic fashion and claim the win. The Brumbies guaranteed themselves a two-week break by securing the bye with a 31-14 win over the winless Force. Force gave a good account of themselves having taken an early lead through flanker Fergus LeeWarner, but the Brumbies record of five wins in six matches heading into the match proved telling as tries for Tom Banks, Tom Wright and flanker Will Miller put them in command.

Fly-half Jono Lance darted over for the Force’s second try, only for centre Len Ikitau and wing Andy Muirhead to score and secure Brumbies’ top spot.