The NSW Waratahs have continued their unbeaten run in the Super Rugby U16 competition, downing the Queensland Reds 54–45 at Southern Districts Rugby Club on Saturday.
The Waratahs continued their free-scoring form with six tries in the first half, but a lapse in discipline produced three yellow cards, allowing the Reds to claw back some momentum and narrow the final margin.
Winger Asher Chapman bagged four tries in the victory while fullback Finn Hannon finished with a brace.
The Waratahs came out flying and stamped their authority on the opening 35 minutes. Hannon was a constant threat; he produced a clever assist for the opening score out wide before following it up with two of his own tries later in the half, showing attacking versatility that kept the Reds scrambling.
Chapman was the clear go-to finisher, crossing three times in the first half. Chapman’s tries came off the back of well-worked set-piece platforms — quick ball, smart support lines and his pace in space made him lethal on the outside.
As the half progressed the Waratahs’ momentum cooled. Repeated infringements crept in, culminating in a yellow card that left the home side a man down. With errors increasing and the defensive line stretched, the Reds capitalised late as hooker Xavier Hill crashed over just as the halftime whistle sounded.
The Waratahs paid the price for that discipline lapse after the interval. The Reds struck twice early in the second half and momentum swung in the visitors’ favour, with line-out problems continuing to undermine the Waratahs’ efforts.
Even when the home side returned to 15 players, tackling discipline remained inconsistent and the Waratahs were issued a stern warning as the Reds notched a third successive score, piling on four unanswered tries.
The Waratahs responded through their forwards, however. A perfectly executed rolling maul finished with replacement Fletcher Hermann — who had made an instant impact off the bench with big hits and heavy carries — crashing over to steady the ship.
Although the Reds continued to press and exploited the Waratahs’ set-piece issues late in the match, the home side managed to weather the storm.
The Waratahs now head into a bye week before travelling south to face Victoria in a fortnight.
Match Details
NSW Waratahs 54 defeat Queensland Reds 45
Location: Southern Districts Rugby Club
NSW Waratahs: 54
Tries: Asher Chapman (4), Finn Hannon (2), Kaiasi Talakai, Fletcher Hermann
Conversions: Wilson Ruthven (7/8)
Queensland Reds: 45
Tries: Noah Gaffney (3), Dylan Goodwin (2), Xavier Hill, Will Robinson
Conversions: Charlie Meredith (5/7)
