Izzy doubles as Tahs thump Reds

Waratahs come out on top in their rgrudge match with the Queensland Reds

Israel Folau scores his 2nd try during the Waratahs v Queensland Reds Super Rugby game at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. pic mark evans Source: News Corp Australia

DARE to dream? Believe the hype?

The Waratahs gave long-suffering fans reasons to do both Saturday night after posting a record victory over arch-rivals Queensland.

An entertaining four-try 32-5 win was the biggest margin recorded between the teams in Super Rugby, and after pocketing a bonus point for the second consecutive week, NSW's first win over the Reds in six games said plenty of about their 2014 credentials.

But coach Michael Cheika did his best fireman's impersonation post-match, pouring buckets of cold water on talk of NSW being "front-runners" of the Aussie conference.

"I don't know if we're front-runners. We have only just jumped out of the barriers," Cheika said.

"It is only two games in and there's a long way to go. There's no front-running going on. We are mature to know we have done zero. There is just such a long way to go."

Cheika said the team's goal is week-in, week-out consistency and he at least got in his opening two victories, with Israel Folau again scoring tries, Wycliff Palu dominating and playmaking pair Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley turning in another scheming performances.

Folau was voted man of the match but the one-sided win was by no means a one-man show, with the NSW forwards outstanding in negating the Reds pack and their danger men Quade Cooper and Will Genia.

Folau scored his first try with just 150 seconds gone but his second in the 25th minute exemplified the team performance, coming after a sweeping counter-attack that went through 12 sets of hands and travelled 60 metres.

Beale scored a try from a quick tap and laid on another for Peter Betham to seal the win over Queensland, who only managed one try from Lachie Turner.

Michael Hooper led from the front as the Tahs' stand-in skipper. Source: News Corp Australia

Cheika dismissed talk of the record winning margin, and said it was just another step in the team's progression.

"I don't know if it's that dramatic, that it's the end point of something," he said.

"What's going to happen now, obviously there is going to be a lot of talk about the win but we just need to stay level, and understand we're just at the bottom of the mountain.

"We don't need anything to sharpen our focus more than to think back to round three or so last year when we got tonked by the Brumbies, and that game is coming up next."

NSW's offloading was adventurous and the scrum strong, but it was far from a complete performance by the Tahs, after their lineout almost entirely fell apart.

Queensland never settled into any attacking rhythm and oddly kicked away what little possession they secured.

"They're playing with a lot of confidence and as that confidence they grew they got momentum," said captain James Horwill.

"We needed to be better to change that momentum … but they capitalised on the field position and possession."

The Waratahs led 19-5 at the break after dominating every minute of the opening half except the last one.

With Queensland attempting to flood the breakdown, gaps in the backline popped up from the get-go and a flat pass from Foley to Kurtley Beale exploited one. Beale fed Folau for his opening try.

Folau has now scored five tries in two matches. Source: News Corp Australia

NSW seemed to find gaps at will on the edges of Queensland's defence but several promising raids came to nothing, and a faltering line out kept the Reds in the game.

The brilliant long-range try finished by Folau - with star roles from Foley and the impressive Jacques Potgieter in between - stunned the visitors though, and Betham scored soon after.

Folau's sinbinning just short of halftime gave the Reds a sniff, and Turner made the most of the Reds being a man up when he cruised in unmarked out wide after the siren.

If boosted, the Queensland spirit was deflated soon after they returned from oranges. A powerful NSW scrum got them down on Queensland's line and after sustained pressure, referee Glenn Jackson awarded a penalty five metres out and Beale swooped.

A quick tap saw him dive over under the attention of two Reds defenders and snare the second bonus point for NSW in as many weeks.

Relive all the action from our Live Blog below and check out Match Centre for stats and video!

For a better viewing experience on a mobile device click here!

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Izzy doubles as Tahs thump Reds

Dengan url

http://duniasikasik.blogspot.com/2014/03/izzy-doubles-as-tahs-thump-reds.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Izzy doubles as Tahs thump Reds

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Izzy doubles as Tahs thump Reds

sebagai sumbernya