An early blitz by the NSW Waratahs has powered them to a 41-24 victory over the Western Force at HBF Park
Already missing coach Tim Sampson and star recruits Izack Rodda and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (isolation), the hosts were sent into chaos as they were joined on the sidelines by captain Feleti Kaitu'u (calf), Jeremy Thrush (soreness), Bayley Kuenzle (gastro), and Toni Pulu (concussion).
This allowed the visitors to build a quick lead, scoring three tries in eight minutes to stun the Sea of Blue as they ran away with the victory.
The early onslaught began in the seventh minute when the ever-improving Mark Nawaqanitawase snatched an Ian Prior pass and raced 60 metres to score under the posts.
Tane Edmed's break set up Lalakai Foketi just minutes later, with Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper following him over untouched to race out to a 24-0 lead after 15 minutes.
Stunned and struggling to stay in the match, the hosts composed themselves and fought back through Reesjan Pasitoa.
25 phases of attack couldn't find a way through the visitors' defence as the Force dominated the rest of the half.
Hooper and the Waratahs pack held strong throughout the first half, with every starter recording double-digit tackles to ensure they maintained a 24-7 lead into the break.
A bombed try after the break provided the opening for the Force to build some pressure, eventually breaking the line thanks to a barnstorming Tim Anstee.
Both teams traded maul tries as they pushed for the crucial win with finals aspirations on the line.
In the end, a yellow card to Pasitoa sealed the Force's fate as Edmed found Alex Newsome in the corner.
A second try to Newsome set up by Will Harrison and Jed Holloway offloads sealed the result for Darren Coleman's men, who enter Super Round in fifth position.
Two late yellow cards to Mahe Vailanu and Lalakai Foketi provided ample space for Pasitoa to cross for his second, with Force captain and centurion Kyle Godwin frustrated by another poor start.
"It seems to be the same story for us unfortunately," Godwin remarked after the match.
WARATAHS 41
TRIES: Nawaqanitawase, Foketi, Hooper, Porecki, Newsome 2
CONS: Edmed 4/6
PENS: Edmed 1/1
FORCE 24
TRIES: Pasiota 2, Anstee, Ready
CONS: Prior 2/4
Force: 15 Jake Strachan, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Kyle Godwin (c), 12 Richard Kahui 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Reesjan Pasitoa, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Brynard Stander, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Tim Anstee, 5 Ryan McCauley, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 Harrison Lloyd.
Replacements: 16 Jack Winchester, 17 Bo Abra, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Jackson Pugh, 20 Ollie Callan, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 Jake McIntrye, 23 Brad Lacey
Waratahs: 15 Alex Newsome, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 8 Will Harris, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Charlie Gamble, 5 Hugh Sinclair, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements:16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Archer Holz, 19 Geoff Cridge, 20 Rahboni Warren-Yosayaco, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Will Harrison, 23 Jamie Roberts.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper, Matt Kellahan
