So Close, But More Heartache

Sun Herald

Sunday April 22, 2007

By Rupert Guinness

WARATAHS halfback Josh Holmes's brilliant try inspired a late charge by NSW that almost resulted in the Super 14 stragglers stealing a victory against the Highlanders last night.

Holmes was inspirational in his Super 14 starting debut, scoring in the 68th minute, and throwing the pass to set up fullback Peter Hewat to cross in the 75th minute and spark hopes of an unlikely Waratahs win.

However, after Hewat scored another try in the 79th minute - that he failed to convert, meaning NSW fell agonisingly short at 25-26 - it was not lost on observers that what cheer Holmes brought last night may soon turn to pain.

For, next year, Holmes will be running on in a Brumbies jersey.

For NSW there were sparks of brilliance last night, but the Highlanders controlled much of the match.

For the most part the Waratahs failed in defence and skill execution, lacking organisation and cohesion in a side that had up to six positional changes from the team that beat the Reds last week.

As he did against the Crusaders three weeks ago, Hewat had a chance to put the Waratahs ahead in the final minutes, but again missed his conversion attempt.

"He was better than he was after the Crusaders [match], as he scored the try that got us there," NSW captain Rocky Elsom said of Hewat's reaction after the match.

Elsom admitted it was "gut-wrenching" to again fall so close to a win.

But when asked how the Waratahs managed to come back and get so close to winning he said: "It was by playing the same game. We just executed it better in the last 20 minutes. The guys stuck to it."

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie was left to once again rue his side's missed opportunities.

"We didn't function as well as we had planned. But we did well to get back in the game," he said.

"As Rocky said, we did that because we didn't change our game plan. We just got better at it. But we were trying to play catch-up. And when you play catch-up from 20 points behind you are going to push for points."

However, McKenzie was trying to look on the bright side, acknowledging the fine contribution from Holmes, who struggled early on.

"Josh Holmes worked his way through it," he said. "There was plenty of traffic coming his way early."

To the Highlanders' credit, they displayed immaculate defence for all but the last 12 minutes, and utilised their superior speed to take the early lead. At half-time they led 20-6, and had scored three tries to none.

Bringing the Waratahs down was their lack of speed - especially out wide - and some woeful defence. Although the Highlanders posted an early try through Viliame Waqaseduadua, the Waratahs looked up for the challenge.

HIGHLANDERS 26

WARATAHS 25

The home side appeared to regain their confidence after that score and, incredibly, took the lead at the 22nd minute when Hewat kicked his second penalty goal for a 6-5 lead.

But by the time the Highlanders crossed again at the 31st minute, through Nick Evans, and 36th minute, through Jason Kawau, the game was clearly running away from the home side.

There were patches of brilliance in the first half though, particularly a run by Lachlan Turner which led to a rare series of adventurous runs by the backs and great offloads in the tackle by the forwards. For a short patch, NSW played with vigour and confidence after resurrecting their game from a horrendous start.

HIGHLANDERS 26 (N Evans, V Waqaseduadua, J Kawau tries; Evans con, 3 pens) beat WARATAHS 25 (P Hewat 2, J Holmes tries; Hewat 2 cons, 2 pens) at Aussie Stadium. Crowd: 17,672. Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA).

NEXT ROUND (Sydney times)

FRIDAY: Hurricanes v Highlanders, Wellington, 5.35pm; Waratahs v Chiefs, Sydney, 7.40pm; W Force v Cheetahs, Perth, 9.45pm

SATURDAY: Bulls v Blues, Pretoria, 3.05am; Brumbies v Crusaders, Canberra, 7.40pm; Sharks v Lions, Durban, 11pm

SUNDAY: Stormers v Reds, Cape Town, 1.05am

© 2007 Sun Herald

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