Updated ,first published
Rookie fullback Sid Harvey has won the Waratahs’ rookie of the year award by kicking three last-minute penalties to upset the Brumbies and secure NSW’s first win in Canberra in nearly 3000 days.
The Tahs’ 30-28 win snapped an eight-game losing streak at GIO Stadium that began in 2019 and came courtesy of Harvey’s signature boot in the last 15 minutes, which helped shut down the second half and provided enough of a buffer to stop the Brumbies.
The 20-year-old fullback, in just his fourth Super Rugby game, was colder than the Canberra winter on the kicking field to help give a brave win to the Waratahs, who seemed to let their dominance slip in the second half, as seen in recent defeats.
Behind a muscular defense and a well-executed offense, the Tahs raced out to a 21-7 lead in the first half. But poor discipline helped the Brumbies get back into the game after the half-time whistle, when they scored from 90 meters in the 45th minute.
When the Brumbies came out to level at 21-all after the break, and the Tahs began to drop passes and make mistakes in response, the home side looked set to go ahead with a Tahs side that has been out of contention in the last quarter of the last three games.
But this week will be different. The Tahs turned to their defense – which was excellent all night – to stifle the Brumbies as well.
And then, on passed Harvey. When the Waratahs won with a penalty in the 65th minute 35 meters out, Harvey calmly slotted home the spot-kick. And when the Tahs scrum won two more penalties in the next eight minutes, the Narrabri player actually struck twice more.
Although trailing by nine points, the Brumbies naturally did not go down without a fight and Luke Reimer’s try in the 77th minute produced a worrying result. One more point would have won it, but a mistake from the Brumbies in the final minute gave the Tahs a chance to kill the clock and win the game.
It was the Waratahs’ first away win of the season, and only their second away win in the last two seasons under Dan McKellar. Conversely, for a team that routinely wins 80 per cent or more at home, the result was the Brumbies’ second loss at GIO Stadium this year from four home games, and it could come back to bite them in their bid for a top-two finish.
“I’m really proud of the boys. Our faith has been tested over the last three weeks,” Waratahs captain Matt Philip said. “We’ve been on top for 60 minutes, and in the last two games we didn’t make it.
“I’m really proud of the boys, especially down in Canberra. The Brumbies are a strong team, probably one of the teams with the best form at the moment, so it’s massive for us.”
Harvey said he never had any doubts about wanting to shoot pressure shots.
“You have to want them – anything out of 50, I’m happy,” he said. “If the Member of Parliament (Philip) looks at me and wants me to kick, I will kick, I will go inside and give him a nod, he is very good at that, they support me, the same as the coaches.”
Harvey said it was “special” to get his first win with the Waratahs.
“We trained very well this week and we prepared very well. To come there and perform for 80 minutes, as we talked about, was very satisfying,” he said.
The Brumbies had more possession and local captain Ryan Lonergan said the Waratahs did a good job of slowing down and attacking, and also got the better of the ball from the aerial contest.
The Waratahs had strong performers in their forward pack, with catcher Ethan Dobbins turning in another turn that would have impressed the Wallabies selectors, with Philip, Miles Amatosero and Pete Samu all good too.
The Tahs made an astonishing 254 tackles, and missed just 22, for an efficiency of 92 per cent. Eight players played more than 15 times each: Clem Halaholo (22), Amatosero (21), Daniel Botha (20), Jamie Adamson (20 in 48 minutes), Philip (19), Dobbins (18), Joey Walton (17) and Tom Lambert (16).
The Waratahs had aerial dominance in the first half and struck first after a breakaway attack, with a good line break and one-handed offload from Dobbins, and then a second offload from Andrew Kellaway, set up a try for Clem Halaholo’s pick-up and drive.
The Waratahs lost Peter Samu in the bin when referee Angus Gardner lost patience following a series of offside penalties in their own line, and the Brumbies took advantage with a Lachlan Shaw three-foot goal on the goal line shortly after.
The 14-man Tahs responded strongly, though, and through aerial success, attacking switch tactics and ball retention, continued to probe into the Brumbies’ half. Eventually the pressure found the Brumbies short on their left wing, and Sid Harvey found Kellaway unmarked on the right wing with an unchallenged run down the line.
The Waratahs’ impressive line-up led to a third try inside half an hour, as they held off a flurry of Brumbies’ attacks in their four-minute spell with strong and patient defence. Max Jorgensen’s kick from Andy Muirhead led to a free-kick, and after support from Jack Debreczeni – with a controversial result – the ball was passed to Joey Walton who had a blast to score and extend the lead to 21-7.
The Brumbies had a try disallowed for Rory Scott before half-time and the Waratahs also had a good chance to add five fourth points later, but fell short.
Brumbies did not seek the safety of sheds, however. After winning a penalty at the half-time buzzer, the home side hit hard and then won another penalty, putting them in line for the Tahs. Five minutes into added time and after more NSW penalties, the Brumbies were rewarded for their try, scoring through a pick and drive by Charlie Cale.
The home side equalized just five minutes after half-time, when Walton’s cross gave the Brumbies the chance to reach the Tahs’ half, and they piled on the pressure at 14. Shaw scored the second when the pace proved too much for NSW.
The Waratahs had the better of the game for the next 10 minutes but threw the ball away and spoiled the attack several times with dropped balls and lost lines.
But just as the Waratahs’ last quarter was looking up again, the men in blue rose – and Harvey did his thing.
Rookies shine for Wallaroos in first win over Fiji
Strong performances from a handful of debutants helped the new-look Wallaroos kick off their season with a 33-15 win over Fiji at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
Australia were made to work for it, however, with Fiji proving to be a stubborn foe who stayed in the contest well into the second half.
Australia led just 14-10 at half-time after two first-half tries but the Wallaroos’ energy and fitness paid off in the end, with the home side scoring three more goals as the oranges secured victory.
Both sides had chances to score five more points but both fighters were rusty in their opening matches of the year.
In their first Test since their quarter-final exit at last year’s Rugby World Cup, the Wallaroos fielded six players for the first time in a squad looking for a dose of rejuvenation. And interim coach Sam Needs got what he was looking for, with all the new players rising to the occasion.
Rookie WA five-eighth Nicole Teddington was the pick of the crop, scoring a sparkling solo try and defending with grit. Middle and seventh infielder Sidney Taylor and reserve starter Lily Bone were also outstanding, and reserve catcher Britt Merlo also made her long-awaited debut. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce and Piper Simons also turned in solid turns.
It was a predictable rusty performance from the Wallaroos, who entered camp just two weeks ago and are yet to play a game this year, with the Super Rugby Women’s season moved from February-April to June-July this year.
Australia started strongly but could not convert until Teddington, a talented 22-year-old from the Western Force, showed his class by crossing the line for a solo try in the 14th minute, beating a handful of defenders.
Bridie O’Gorman scored the second when she collected a loose ball moments later, but after Australia lost Briana Hoy in the bin, Fiji turned to their powerful runners and responded with the first try to Carletta Yee.
The Fijians pushed hard in the second half but the injection of regular stars Georgie Friedrichs and Desi Miller helped the Wallaroos push ahead in the second half, with tries from Stewart and Siokapesi Palu Sekona.
Fiji did not throw in the towel, and scored the second try to Josivini Neihamu, but they could not manage to score due to a good attack in the last quarter, and Australia were relieved that they did not face a strong match.
The Wallaroos now travel to the United States to take on Canada, the United States and New Zealand in the Pacific Four next month.
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Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect through X or email address.
