The NSW U18 Waratahs fought hard in the final match of their two-game series against the Queensland Reds but fell short 24-32 in a highly physical battle at Daceyville. Despite a determined performance, the Tahs couldn't hold off the late Reds surge, ending the series at one win apiece.
Like all Tahs vs Reds fixtures, the match opened with high energy and excitement with local crowds gathering to enjoy the day. The Reds launched an early attack down the wing, only to be met with a crucial tackle from Tahs TJ Talaileva, pushing the Reds player into touch and setting the tone for the physical contest to come.
The Reds maintained early offensive pressure, hammering the Waratahs' try line with multiple phases, but the defensive resilience of the home side early on held the Reds at bay.
A pivotal moment came early on when Tahs winger Brock Prideaux mistimed a tackle on a Reds player contesting a high ball, resulting in a yellow card that left the Waratahs a man down. Despite the setback, the Tahs struck first after a misfired Reds lineout gave Tahs possession. A few strong rucks later, scrumhalf and captain Angus Grover executed a deceptive dummy pass before diving over the line to score the first try of the game.
The Reds responded swiftly, earning themselves a scrum penalty, they worked the ball across their backline, eventually finding space out wide. Jarryd King was beaten on the outside shoulder, allowing Red’s fullback Treyvon Pritchard to cross for the Reds opening try.
The Waratahs regained control when a Reds player was penalised for intentionally knocking the ball into touch. With a lineout just meters from the try line, the Tahs executed a rolling maul to perfection, sending TJ Talaileva over for an impressive team try from the set play.
Later in the half, a standout defensive effort from inside centre Matthew Gough helped maintain the Tahs' momentum. However, the Reds remained competitive, with impact player Angus Tagicakibau coming off the bench to slice through the Waratahs' defence and score their second try. This kept the contest tightly poised at halftime 17-14 with the Tahs ahead.
The second half began with a handover lineout by the Tahs, however the forwards quickly regained momentum with strong carries pushing into Red’s territory. Unfortunately, a penalty conceded by the Waratahs gave the Reds an opportunity to
exploit the blindside, as Isaac Rauluni found a gap to dive over for a try, with a successful conversion putting the visitors ahead for the first time in the match.
Another setback for the Waratahs came through a high tackle in the midfield, allowing Reds, Damon Humphrys, to slot a penalty and extend their lead. Another penalty against the Tahs saw the Reds attempt a long-range kick, successfully adding more points and leaving the Tahs needing a converted try to get back in the contest.
The Waratahs found their breakthrough when Tahj Smith sparked a counterattack following another botched Reds lineout. The ball was worked to Noah Rylands, who sliced through light defence to score a crucial try, bringing the game within three points after the successful conversion.
The final minutes saw errors from both sides as the intensity ramped up and fatigue set in, but it was the Reds who had the final say, scoring a late try to seal their victory and split the series 1-1.
Full Time Score 24-32 Reds Win.
