Waratahs Draw a Blank Against Western Force
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Friday, 2 March 2007
NSWRU Media Unit
The HSBC Waratahs have missed the chance to snatch an at the death victory over the Western Force at Aussie Stadium, the scores instead finishing all locked up at 16-all after a potential penalty shot was not taken.
Morgan Turinui all smiles after scoring against the Force
Morgan Turinui all smiles after scoring against the Force
Wycliff Palu probes for a gap against the Force
Wycliff Palu probes for a gap against the Force
Awarded a final minute penalty forty metres out from the line and two metres in from touch, the Waratahs were set to take a shot from a similar position to where Peter Hewat had kicked a penalty earlier in the match.
However despite the fact Hewat was all set to take the shot, a quick tap was instead taken by Sam Norton-Knight that ended with the Force kicking the ball into touch.
Referee Paul Marks then blew full time to end a match that never scaled to the heights promised in the week leading up to kick off.
The Waratahs started strongly and enjoyed the better of the running in the opening 20 minutes, two Hewat penalty goals putting the home side on the front foot before Morgan Turinui stylishly put himself through a gap to score the first try of the evening.
Hitting the ball at pace Turinui turned Force centre Ryan Cross inside out with a left foot step before beating two would be defenders to touch down.
Hewat converted from 15 in from touch to put the Waratahs out to a 13-nil lead.
Force fans wouldn't be made to wait long for a reply, Drew Mitchell going over out wide on 25 minutes after Junior Pelesasa took his side to within inches of the line.
Cameron Shepherd's attempt at conversion went astray however the Force were well in the match at 13-5.
Two Shepherd penalties saw the gap narrowed to two points at half time, the visitors then taking the lead shortly after the resumption of play when Matt Giteau sidestepped his way over the line.
Sensing a gap in the Waratahs defence Giteau stepped inside Waratahs lock Will Caldwell before beating the tackles of both Wycliff Palu and Kurtley Beale to touch down just to the right of the posts.
Shepherd was again off target with the conversion however the Force had the lead at 16-13.
Hewat levelled it up with a third penalty 16 minutes from full time, while Shepherd - in a rare off night with the boot - missed with an opportunity to put his side back into the lead with six minutes to go.
After full time, a contrite Lote Tuqiri made a public apology to Sam Norton-Knight, his teammates and fans for pushing the utility back for his decision to take the quick tap.
The Waratahs get the chance to make up for the draw next week, when they take on the Bulls of South Africa at Aussie Stadium on Saturday night.
HSBC WARATAHS - 16
Tries: Morgan Turinui
Conversions: Peter Hewat 1/1
Penalty Goals: Peter Hewat 3/4
WESTERN FORCE - 16
Tries: Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau
Conversions: Cameron Shepherd 0/2
Penalty Goals: Cameron Shepherd 2/5
At Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Crowd: 31,149
Man of the Match: Matt Giteau (Western Force)
Referee: Paul Marks (Aus)