March 2 (Reuters) – The New South Wales Waratahs
produced a controlled performance to secure a bonus point and
overcome an error-prone Melbourne Rebels 35-19 in a niggly Super
Rugby clash that resulted in several off the ball scuffles on
Friday.
The Waratahs dominated the first 55 minutes to establish a
23-point lead then seemed to lower their intensity, allowing the
Rebels to gain some momentum that was halted once Daniel
Halangahu kicked a 70th minute penalty.
“The first 50 minutes everything went to plan and we
executed well but getting involved in that niggly stuff let them
back in the game,” Halangahu said.
“It was really on out there and there was a lot of
feeling… but I’m happy with the win.”
Inside centre Tom Carter scored two tries and tighthead prop
Sekope Kepu notched his first Super Rugby try for the Waratahs,
while flyhalf Halangahu added two conversions and fullback
Bernard Foley slotted a penalty.
Wallabies utility back James O’Connor, who moved to the
Rebels in a controversial transfer from the Western Force at the
end of last season, kicked two penalties in the first spell as
the Waratahs went into the break with a handy 22-6 lead.
Foley secured the Waratahs bonus point when he crossed after
another sustained build-up from the New South Wales side, who
then seemed to switch off after establishing the 29-6 lead.
O’Connor added two more penalties and the Rebels forwards
milked a penalty try, which also resulted in Waratahs’ hooker
Tatafu Polota-Nau being yellow carded, to make the scoreline
closer than it should have been.
Halangahu, who had kicked an earlier second half penalty
before the Rebels’ try, slotted another with 10 minutes
remaining to make the victory safe.
Continued…
