Max Jorgensen masterclass fuels Waratahs to clinical win over Drua
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Led by a Max Jorgensen masterclass and a dream double from debutant Ioane Moananu, the Waratahs weathered a fierce Drua challenge to secure a 36-13 victory at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
The Waratahs' intent was clear from the opening whistle, culminating in a ninth-minute try for flanker Charlie Gamble.
After sustained pressure forced the Drua to over-commit at the breakdown — driven by the relentless work rate of Clem Halaholo — Gamble exploited the vacant ruck fringes with superb footwork to touch down under the posts.
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Waratahs' Max Jorgensen pulls off a try-saving tackle on a diving Taniela Rakuro of the Drua. Darrian Traynor via Getty Images
The Drua responded with their trademark wide-channel flair, brutally stretching the NSW resolve.
Fullback Ilaisa Droasese turned provider, firing a crisp, looping pass to exploit an overlap for Taniela Rakuro, who showed a clean pair of heels to finish in the corner.
The hosts nearly struck back immediately through James Hendren, but a miraculous covering tackle from Isikeli Rabitu bundled the fullback into touch just inches short of the chalk.
The Drua continued to threaten, forcing the Waratahs into a frantic retreat following a pinpoint Frank Lomani grubber, but Jorgensen did just enough to deny Rakuro a brace.
The visitors' territorial dominance eventually told as Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula slotted a penalty to punish a scrambling NSW defence.
However, with the half closing, the brilliance of Jorgensen took centre stage.
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Operating on a sixpence with less than five metres of space, the winger stepped two defenders and contorted his body to stay in-field for a stunning solo effort.
A potential Jorgensen double moments later was nullified by the TMO for a marginal forward pass, leaving the Waratahs with a slender 14-10 lead at the break.
The Drua ignited the second half with a hot start, capitalising on a handling error to set up camp in NSW territory.
Armstrong-Ravula clinically slotted his second penalty to trim the margin to a single point, but the Waratahs regained control through an instant spark from the bench.
Moananu scrambled over with his very first touch after an instinctive Jake Gordon quick tap caught the Drua defence back-pedalling.
The hosts struck again almost immediately when a bounce off a Gordon box kick was gathered by Leafi Talataina, allowing Angus Blyth to use his towering frame to scramble over the chalk.
It was a ruthless period for the Waratahs, who punished the Drua's aerial struggles to extend their lead in rapid succession.
Moananu secured a dream debut with his second try shortly after, as the hosts turned to their dominant set-piece and used a powerful rolling maul to let the former Crusader reap the rewards.
Jorgensen then iced the result, crossing for his second of the evening to cap a dominant performance.
The try was served on a platter by Jack Debreczeni, whose perfectly weighted cross-field kick allowed the winger to ease over the line and put the final exclamation mark on the contest.
It was a clinical execution from the NSW pack, turning the screws on a tiring Drua side to seal a convincing victory.
