In a captivating clash at Allianz Stadium on Friday, the NSW Waratahs edged out the Fijian Drua with a narrow 29-24 victory. The match saw the Drua on the verge of an upset before a pivotal penalty try was awarded to the Waratahs in the 76th minute by New Zealand referee Angus Mabey, following an illegal maul collapse by the Drua. Hooker Mahe Vailanu was at the centre of the maul, sparking the decision.
The Waratahs capitalised on the Drua being reduced to 14 players when Kitione Salawa was sent to the sin bin, allowing them to fend off a final charge from the Drua. Having finished at the bottom of the table last season, the Waratahs are now 2-0 under new coach Dan McKellar after enjoying a bye in the previous round. Conversely, the Drua have faced three close losses, including narrow defeats to the ACT Brumbies and Hurricanes.
Despite the loss, the Fijian side showcased their flair and skill, highlighted by Vuate Karawalevu’s stunning try, which left defenders Darby Lancaster and Andrew Kellaway momentarily bewildered as he executed a remarkable finish in the corner. Morgan Turinui, commenting on the try, described it as one of Super Rugby’s most impressive winger finishes, while Wallabies legend Matt Burke echoed the sentiment.
Langi Gleeson was a standout for the Waratahs, scoring two tries and reminding Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt of his capabilities. Waratahs captain Jake Gordon reflected on the match, noting that while the humidity led to some errors, his team executed their training drills effectively during crucial moments of the game.
The Waratahs are set to host the Western Force in round four, aiming to build on their positive start, while the Drua continue searching for their first win of the season. The match concluded with the Waratahs securing a much-needed victory, marking an encouraging turnaround from last year’s struggles.
Final Score: Waratahs 29 (Gleeson 2, Porecki, penalty try; Edmed 2 conversions, penalty) defeated Drua 24 (Loganimasi 2, Karawalevu, Dolokoto tries; Muntz, Armstrong-Ravula conversions).