Waratahs Weather The Storm

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday April 29, 2006

Ben Kimber in Dunedin

Highlanders 3 Waratahs 20

WARATAHS second-rower Daniel Vickerman last night underlined why he will be one of the first picked for the Wallabies this season and, on form, fullback Peter Hewat can surely not be denied his first Test cap.

Vickerman and Hewat were the two keys to a hugely important victory for NSW over the Highlanders in challenging conditions in Dunedin, with the Waratahs surviving an early onslaught from the Otago-based team before grinding their way to victory with limited possession and territory.

Vickerman almost single-handedly destroyed the Highlanders lineout, nullifying the territorial advantage the home side earned for much of the game as they revelled in the cold, slippery conditions and constant rain, while Hewat struck at crucial times to turn the match.

While Vickerman and Hewat were the standouts, the Waratahs defensive line as a whole was superb as they worked tirelessly to deny the pressure of the Highlanders pack and keep their tryline unbroken.

Openside breakaway Phil Waugh and hooker Adam Freier turned in non-stop performances, with the effort culminating in a period of play in the 65th minute in which NSW survived 15 straight phases of driving Highlanders attack, with the last eight of those coming on their line.

The lead they defended came from a 10-minute period that crossed the half-time break when Vickerman and Hewat handed the Waratahs the possession they needed to reverse the trend of the match. After 30 minutes of Highlanders possession in NSW territory, Vickerman claimed three straight home team lineout throws inside his own half, before Hewat's kicking game and nous provided two rare try-scoring opportunities that the Waratahs took.

After high bombs and wide grubbers from the Highlanders pressured NSW early on, with the Waratahs nonetheless leading from two penalties earned from only two incursions into the Otago half, Hewat reversed the trend by winning a kicking war.

After trading punts that failed to find touch, Highlanders centre Seilala Mapusua decided to charge back at the NSW defence, only to find Vickerman and cohorts waiting eagerly on the halfway line where they hammered him backwards, jolting the ball loose.

Quick hands found Hewat, who chipped downfield to open space, and while Highlanders second-rower Tom Donnelly won the race to the ball just outside the tryline, Morgan Turinui, ever the opportunist, dived over for a try after the ball squeezed loose. Hewat kicked over the conversion and, as the rain continued to fall, the Waratahs took an vital 10-point, 13-3 lead to the half-time break, after which they wasted no time in extending their advantage.

Finally adopting the tactics the home side had used effectively but without reward early on, Hewat bombed downfield and snaffled the loose ball as his opposite number dropped it, pouncing to then send centre Sam Norton-Knight racing through to score.

Up 20-3 the Waratahs were then once again forced to defend for much of the remaining half hour of the match, a task they took to with vigour and enthusiasm, constantly driving each other to greater efforts in holding out the Otago big men.

Only the scrum was a worrying point in the NSW armoury last night as loosehead Benn Robinson, Freier and Al Baxter struggled to hold the power of Highlanders props Carl Hayman and Clarke Dermody.

The Waratahs battled valiantly in that department but were clearly under pressure, conceding a number of penalties at the engagement.

The victory was fully deserved, however, as NSW showed the kind of resolve and composure that has kept them alive in almost every match this season, and the win marked captain Chris Whitaker's 115th match as a Waratah, equalling the all-time record held by Matt Burke.

The four competition points also mean that NSW join the Crusaders at the top of the Super 14 table as they drive for a home final, though the Crusaders are due to take on the Stormers on Sunday morning Sydney time.

The Waratahs now head to Queenstown for four days before moving on to Hamilton to take on the Chiefs.

Waratahs 20 (M Turinui, S Norton-Knight tries; P Hewat 2 goal, 2 penalty goals) Highlanders 3 (B Blair penalty goal) at Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin. Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA).

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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