New South Wales have stamped their authority over the Super Rugby U16s competition with Sunday’s 31-29 grand final victory securing a third straight title.
Unbeaten throughout the regular season, the Waratahs were red-hot favourites to topple Queensland after their earlier 50-20 win but had to dig deep against their determined hosts at Ballymore Stadium.
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After building a 19-10 half time lead, NSW burst to life with a Selesitino Maikavika double stretching their advantage to 31-15 and could’ve put the result beyond doubt if not for a desperate Dylan Terblanche tackle denying Kden Carter out wide.
However, the Reds never gave in with late tries to Isaac Fidock and Aiden Luke dragging the margin back to just two points and setting up a grandstand finish.
That game was hard to hang on to,” Waratahs skipper Justice Taumopaeu told rugby.com.au after full time.
“We knew Queensland would be tough and hang on for the full 70. We just had to stick in and keep going.”
Best on ground winner and Waratahs flyhalf Talen Risati proved the difference late with three crucial conversions and paid tribute to a “whole-team effort” post-game.
“Our preparation coming into this week was really good and even the the game didn’t fully go the way we wanted, we got the result,” Risati told rugby.com.au.
Earlier, the Waratahs ill-discipline threatened to boil over despite Nicholas Kotorac’s spectacular opening try in the seventh minute.
Back-to-back penalties against NSW after Kotorac’s solo effort saw the Reds march upfield with Hemi Raikuta equalising in the 15th minute and compounded when flanker Sam Polley was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements.
A 22nd minute intercept try from Creighton Meafou against the run of play proved crucial for the 14-man Waratahs and Polley made amends shortly after his return, crossing out wide for the visitors’ third and a crucial half time buffer.
Queensland skipper Agapetos Lote-Felo was immense in a losing side, scoring in the 45th minute and carrying powerfully all afternoon.
Waratahs 31 (Mainakavika 2, Kotorac, Meafou, Polley tries; Risati 3 cons) def Reds 29 (Rakuita, Lote-Felo, Fidock, Luke tries; Kefu 2, Underwood cons; Underwood pen)
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