The NSW Waratahs hit a last-chance moment at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and they delivered.
The 36-16 victory over the Western Force on Saturday night was emphatic and snapped a four-match losing streak in home games for the Waratahs.
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What did we learn?
1 PERESE POWER
Centre Izaia Perese found his groove after a hot-and-cold season to date.
The first of his two tries set the tone when he burst onto an inside pass from halfback Jake Gordon.
It was his first try of 2023 and was a reminder of how integral his strong running is to the best Waratahs performances.
He racked up 12 runs for 88m. His return from a bad knee injury last season was always going to take time and the hope is he is getting back to his tackle-busting best. He is a better player too when he is looking to pass with both hands rather than always rely on an offload in contact.
2 TIGHT FOR PLAY-OFF SPOTS
The Waratahs climb to eighth and are in a tight fight for a top eight spot.
The Queensland Reds (15 points), heading into a bye, the Highlanders (14), the Fijian Drua (13), the Waratahs (13), the Melbourne Rebels (10) and the Force (nine) are in a six-way tussle for the final three spots.
The Waratahs found their attacking shape better than they have for much of the season and that augurs well for the latter stages of the season.
3 ENGLISH CLASS
The quality finish by Force winger Zach Kibirige was another sign of the polish he has added to the wing this year.
The former Wasps winger scored his sixth try of the season and it was a beauty.
Not content with grabbing a Hamish Stewart cross kick, he quickly regained his balance and popped a little chip kick ahead of his own. He regathered to score a fine try.
The pace of the former Wasps winger has established him as one of the best English players to feature in Super Rugby since 1996.
4 CONFIDENCE FOR DONALDSON
With the Wallabies training camp getting underway on the Gold Coast this week, it was timely for Waratahs No.10 Ben Donaldson to generate some confidence.
He had a bigger hand in this game and the Waratahs definitely looked to have a better balance of play run off halfback and No.10.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones left some names out of the training squad. A little prove-a-point motivation is never a bad thing.
Waratahs halfback Jake Gordon, with another key long-range try, Reds halfback Tate McDermott and Perese have all responded to being left out with strong showings.
That’s how it should be.
5 WILSON BROTHERS
It’s a rare sight to see brothers playing in the same backline so a well done to Harry and Teddy Wilson both coming off the bench for the Waratahs.
Proud father Dave, the 1999 World Cup-winning Wallaby, was at Allianz Stadium to soak up the piece of family history.
Older Waratahs fans will remember Brad and Matthew Burke playing for NSW in the 1980s.
