'Absolutely butchered': Waratahs woes summed up in one play as big second half comeback falls just short
Updated . First published at
The NSW Waratahs' season took another sorry turn on Saturday as they slumped to an agonising 31-26 loss against the Highlanders.
A second half comeback - after trailing 28-7 - fell just short as inspirational Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai won a match-clinching breakdown penalty in the 80th minute.
The Waratahs matched their Dunedin hosts with four tries but Cam Millar's boot proved the difference in the final equation.
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Sid Harvey after bombing a try. Stan
NSW's frustrating 2026 Super Rugby campaign was summed up by winger Sid Harvey bombing a certain try on the hour mark.
Harvey couldn't handle Max Jorgensen's offload and coach Dan McKellar's furrowed brow added another stress line in Dunedin.
"He's promising but he's absolutely butchered that," veteran commentator Grant Nisbett said.
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But the Highlanders were down to 14 men after Jona Nareki's high shot and the Waratahs kept coming.
Harvey had a try disallowed in the 69th minute as his boot caught the touchline paint before planting the ball down.
He eventually scored in the 79th minute but Tavatavanawai then intervened to likely end NSW's faint finals hopes.
The Highlanders overtook them to take seventh place as the Waratahs drop to a 4-7 record with three tricky fixtures to come.
One positive was a return to form for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii after he ran for just three metres in his injury comeback last week.
"Every time he's touched the ball they're incredibly dangerous. He's creating good things," All Blacks great Jeff Wilson said.
"They've been a little bit lateral, probably haven't gone through the middle enough, they haven't shown any deception or footwork and little touches.
"They're prepared to play in the backfield. They're trying to get to the edge but for me, not enough grunt work, and they've got to shore up their scrum. The Highlanders are doing a number on them right there, so they've got some things to work on."
It was NSW's third straight loss as McKellar continues to search for solutions in his second year at the helm.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the NSW Waratahs charges forward. Getty
"First 20 minutes killed us really, just fell off tackles," McKellar said.
"I'm incredibly proud of the fight the boys showed and we had opportunities to win that game. That's the harsh reality.
"I think we left at least three tries out there but we came here with the mindset to want to attack and use the ball and we certainly did that. But one-on-one missed tackles and a set piece that doesn't function, you're not going to win in New Zealand.
"Unfortunately we ran out of time. I think if we had attacked with the same mindset last Friday night we would have won convincingly (against the Western Force) so certainly that is a real positive. We fought our way back into it and we didn't roll over and that's what I'm most proud of with my group."
McKellar said lock Angus Blyth was set for a stint in a moon boot with an injury that appeared "pretty serious."
"I don't know what it is. Folau Fainga'a looks like he's got a medial (injury). Ethan Dobbins looks like he's got some sort of foot issue. Jake's (Gordon) got a bit of a sore head as well, (Andrew) Kellaway concussed. Have I missed anyone?"
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar after a loss. Stan
In a heated clash, the Highlanders produced their best 40 minutes of the campaign in the opening spell but almost unravelled in the second half.
The 28-7 first half lead, built on the attacking brilliance of All Blacks winger-in-waiting Caleb Tangitau, was enough to get the job done despite playing 30 minutes of the game with 14 men.
The Highlanders exposed the defence of Suaalii to score the opening try after five minutes.
Caleb Tangitau of the Highlanders evades Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of the NSW Waratahs. Getty
Tangitau used his speed and footwork to easily evade Suaalii, who had rushed out of the defensive line, before finding wing partner Jonah Lowe with a nice inside pass.
He doubled their lead five minutes later with a brilliant individual try, blasting past four defenders close to the ruck after halfback Adam Lennox took a quick tap from a scrum penalty.
Tangitau, who missed the previous two games due to concussion, looked dangerous every time he touched the ball in a display that strengthened his All Blacks claims.
The Highlanders were also lifted by another powerhouse shift by Ethan de Groot at the scrum.
The Southlander was far too strong for Waratahs tighthead Dan Botha, while veteran tighthead Angus Ta'avao again showed why he has been an astute signing by Jamie Joseph.
A controversial yellow card to Tavatavanawai for a ruck infringement changed the momentum of the first half.
The powerhouse centre's attempt to get over the ball in the wider channels was deemed cynical by referee Damon Murphy, and the Waratahs scored through Andrew Kellaway in his absence.
But Tangitau's superb first half continued as he produced a 50-22 after picking up a loose ball just inside his own half.
The Highlanders didn't waste the opportunity, with Lowe grabbing his second try in the corner after the Highlanders scrum again bulldozed through the Australians.
Jonah Lowe of the Highlanders scores a try. Getty
The game then changed and the Waratahs scored first in the second half through replacement prop Apolosi Ranawai following a good midfield break by Suaalii.
Small mistakes began to creep into the Highlanders' game.
They weren't as clinical in attack and the Waratahs defence went up a level - presumably following a halftime spray by McKellar.
Nareki was then sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Waratahs prop Barrett, which was later upgraded to a 20 minute red card.
Highlanders fans will wonder how that was a red card when similar tackles on Millar and Tangitau, against the Crusaders and Blues respectively, were only deemed worthy of yellow cards.
With Nareki in the bin the Highlanders were in survival mode for the majority of the second half and it was inevitable that Waratahs replacement Clem Halaholo scored with 10 minutes left, reducing the Highlanders' lead to 28-19.
Harvey scored his second for the Waratahs with two minutes left, and it took a trademark Tavatavanawai ruck penalty before the Highlanders could savour the win. - with Stuff
