Waratahs thrash Queensland Reds in Super W

Adrian Warren |

The NSW Waratahs have rebounded from their first Super W Loss with a 46-0 smashing of old rivals Queensland.

Hooker Natalie Delamere and winger Margot Vella crossed twice as the Tahs ran in eight tries at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Sydney.

The win ensured the second-placed Tahs can’t fall below that spot while Queensland will finish third.

The bonus-point victory lifted the second-placed Waratahs level with ladder-leading Fijiana Drua, who ended their unbeaten record last week. 

NSW started Saturday five points behind Fijiana Drua, who also had a 54-point advantage in points differential.

Leading 27-0 at halftime, the Tahs had an outside chance of overtaking Fijiana on points differential, but fell short and missed five conversions, 

They needed Fijiana to lose their final match later on Saturday and not pick up a bonus point to have a chance of finishing first.

The Tahs’ relentless defensive pressure and greater efficiency and execution in possession proved way too much for the Reds.

“For us it was just about doing the basics right and executing,” NSW No.8 and captain Grace Hamilton told Stan.

“I think last week against Fiji we just didn’t play our game.

“Today we just wanted to lay the platform down and then we knew the points would come.”

It took the Tahs just five minutes to cross the Reds line as centre Georgie Friedrichs dummied her way over.

Delaware carried the ball over after a big drive by the Tahs forwards and the Reds line was breached again when halfback Iliseva Batibasaga spun over from close range, after five-eighth Arabella McKenzie was stopped just short of the stripe.

Unlike NSW, Queensland struggled to hold the ball for multiple phases and their errors were compounded by poor discipline late in the half.

The Tahs added two tries just before the break with Delamere racing away for her second try following a McKenzie break and lock Sera Naiqama crossing after the halftime bell following a series of penalties to the home team. 

The Tahs continued their rampage with Impressive flanker Piper Duck fending off a defender and racing across the line in the 49th minute.

It took 20 minutes for NSW to score again, with Vella sliding over after taking a cutout pass from the influential McKenzie.

Speedster Vella sprinted over for her second five-pointer after good lead-up work from McKenzie and Bird.

“A tough day at the office, the Tahs put us away from the start and we were really slow to get into the game … disappointing from our girls,” Reds’ captain and flanker Shannon Parry said.

“There was a rough transition getting here with flight issues and stuff like that, but that’s no excuse.

“We came here to play and we just didn’t turn up.”

AAP