ID :
190868
Fri, 06/24/2011 - 14:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/190868
The shortlink copeid
Waratahs go down to Blues 26-13 in NZ
SYDNEY (AAP) - June 24 - Phil Waugh's career and NSW's brave 2011 Super Rugby campaign were snuffed out by a surging Blues outfit 26-13 in Friday's Super Rugby elimination qualifier.
The 31-year-old was gallant in his 132nd and final Super Rugby match but the depleted Tahs were no match for the hosts, despite matching the Blues' tally of two tries.
The Waratahs did score the first and last tries but the Blues otherwise dominated in front of a disappointing crowd of 16,100 at Auckland's Eden Park.
The Blues to the semi-finals and will likely meet the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday week.
Sadly befitting their misfortune in a season of struggle, NSW suffered another serious injury with lock Kane Douglas badly damaging his ankle in a sickening second-half collision.
Missing nine regular starters - including Wallabies stars Tatafu Polota-Nau, Wycliff Palu, Drew Mitchell and Berrick Barnes - the Waratahs started as rank underdogs but aimed up in the first half and delivered some worrying moments for the home side.
But the barnstorming Polota-Nau was badly missed as reserve hooker John Ulugia struggled at the lineouts and the pack waned in the breakdown battle as the match wore on.
It brought the curtain down on captain Waugh's career and was the last NSW match for Rebels signing Kurtley Beale, Japan-bound Sosene Anesi, and France-bound pair Luke Burgess and Pat O'Connor.
Waugh was typically tenacious all night in the highly-physical affair but his poor choice around the hour mark to illegally pilfer at the back of a breakdown enabled Lachie Munro to kick his third penalty goal for the Blues to lead 16-8.
All Black lock Ali Williams then delivered the last rites with a 63rd minute try.
It looked like it would be tough for NSW from the outset with Ulugia losing his side's first two lineouts with poor throws, Waugh being barrelled by Luke Braid and Beale kicking out on the full.
But the pendulum swung on a chargedown from Waugh that gave the visitors some valuable field position and centre pairing Ryan Cross and Tom Carter eventually combined to deliver the first points in the 17th minute.
Carter produced a powerful sideline burst, too easily swatting off opposite number Luke McAlister in the process.
But McAlister quickly made amends and was an influential figure in the Blues taking a 13-8 halftime advantage in a gripping first half which included three lead changes.
The All Blacks inside centre produced a deft chip for a long break by Jared Payne. From the ensuing lineout McAlister broke the defence out wide and off-loaded for winger Munro to score.
The 31-year-old was gallant in his 132nd and final Super Rugby match but the depleted Tahs were no match for the hosts, despite matching the Blues' tally of two tries.
The Waratahs did score the first and last tries but the Blues otherwise dominated in front of a disappointing crowd of 16,100 at Auckland's Eden Park.
The Blues to the semi-finals and will likely meet the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday week.
Sadly befitting their misfortune in a season of struggle, NSW suffered another serious injury with lock Kane Douglas badly damaging his ankle in a sickening second-half collision.
Missing nine regular starters - including Wallabies stars Tatafu Polota-Nau, Wycliff Palu, Drew Mitchell and Berrick Barnes - the Waratahs started as rank underdogs but aimed up in the first half and delivered some worrying moments for the home side.
But the barnstorming Polota-Nau was badly missed as reserve hooker John Ulugia struggled at the lineouts and the pack waned in the breakdown battle as the match wore on.
It brought the curtain down on captain Waugh's career and was the last NSW match for Rebels signing Kurtley Beale, Japan-bound Sosene Anesi, and France-bound pair Luke Burgess and Pat O'Connor.
Waugh was typically tenacious all night in the highly-physical affair but his poor choice around the hour mark to illegally pilfer at the back of a breakdown enabled Lachie Munro to kick his third penalty goal for the Blues to lead 16-8.
All Black lock Ali Williams then delivered the last rites with a 63rd minute try.
It looked like it would be tough for NSW from the outset with Ulugia losing his side's first two lineouts with poor throws, Waugh being barrelled by Luke Braid and Beale kicking out on the full.
But the pendulum swung on a chargedown from Waugh that gave the visitors some valuable field position and centre pairing Ryan Cross and Tom Carter eventually combined to deliver the first points in the 17th minute.
Carter produced a powerful sideline burst, too easily swatting off opposite number Luke McAlister in the process.
But McAlister quickly made amends and was an influential figure in the Blues taking a 13-8 halftime advantage in a gripping first half which included three lead changes.
The All Blacks inside centre produced a deft chip for a long break by Jared Payne. From the ensuing lineout McAlister broke the defence out wide and off-loaded for winger Munro to score.
