The Waratahs have broken their two game losing streak to get their season back on track, defeating the Western Force 49-13 as Israel Folau became the Waratahs all-time leading try-scorer.
It started as a game of forcings back with neither side willing to take the game on, until disciplinary issues from the Waratahs allowed Force flyhalf Peter Grant to slot an early penalty as he continues his brilliant kicking form in 2016, nailing his 12th consecutive kick to take an early lead inside the opening two minutes.
The Force were dealt a major blow in the 10th minute when livewire Semesi Masirewa was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Andrew Kellaway but the Force defence held strong, only conceding three points while down to 14-men. Soon after it was Kurtley Beale who found the gap to set up Rob Horne for the opening try of the match.
The Waratahs backline started to flow as they threatened to open up the Force defence but it wasn’t until the 40th minute when scrumhalf Nick Phipps darted from the back of the ruck to score the Waratahs second of the night.
It was a battle of the forwards in the second half as the Force looked to bridge the gap. They dominated possession but were unable to execute until the 52nd minute when debutant Harry Scoble crossed for his first Super Rugby try within five minute of entering the field.
The Waratahs hit back instantly after an impressive break from Kellaway to set up Israel Folau for his 30th Super Rugby try, followed by a Reece Robinson try down the extended New South Wales lead to 19 with just 18 minutes remaining.
The floodgates opened for the Waratahs as replacement prop Angus Ta’avoa finished off a great team move, before Jed Holloway sealed an emphatic victory for the Waratahs.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said he had tweaked his team's tactics to end their three-match losing run against the Force.
"I thought the pressure told in the end," Gibson said.
"Tactically in the last three games we've been undone by the Force with territory and turnover mistakes. "I thought tonight we played smartly. We played at the right ends of the field."
Force coach Michael Foley felt "there were times out there where we dropped our chins a little bit, because it wasn't quite going our way".
FORCE 13
(Tries: Scoble Cons: Tapuai Pens: Grant 2)
WARATAHS 49
(Tries: Horne, Phipps, Folau, R. Robinson, Ta’avoa, Holloway Cons: Foley 5 Pens: Foley 3)
