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NSW Waratahs crush Western Force in Super W opener

24 Mar 2023

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The NSW Waratahs have lived up to their promise and opened the Super W season in style with a 43-0 rout of the Western Force in Sydney.

The Waratahs won the first four editions of the Super W – including the first two in 2018 and 2019 without losing a match – before having their streak stopped last year.

The Fijian Drua’s dramatic 32-26 grand final triumph left the Tahs shattered but only steeled Campbell Aitken’s side for redemption in 2023.

The jilted 2022 runners-up were missing several Wallaroos who have moved on but generation next was in full flight at Allianz Stadium on Friday as exciting teenage fullback Caitlyn Halse and fellow 16-year-old Bronte Wilson made impressive debuts.

Halse led from the back like a seasoned veteran, barking instructions to teammates and stepping up for kicks for touch, while Wilson wasted no time getting down and dirty after being introduced to the back row in the second half.

“Outstanding – nine debutants today and they all got on the paddock,” said jubilant captain and player of the match Piper Duck.

“The girls were working hard all pre-season and to finally put it on the paddock, we’re really happy.

“We’re really strong. Of course, there’s some work-ons but we’re really happy with that strong performance.”

With Duck pledging a statement win to kick-start their season at Thursday’s captain’s run, the Tahs were never threatened.

Duck delivered powerhouse display at No.8 and fittingly opened the scoring with the first try in the seventh minute.

Winger Maya Stewart, inside centre Katrina Barker and hooker Adiana Talakai also bagged first-half five-pointers with flyhalf Ella Carter slotting two conversions as the Waratahs went to the break with a commanding 24-0 lead.

With Duck, winger Margot Vella and replacement Jade Sheridan all crossing in the second half, the Tahs comfortably secured a bonus point.

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Comments on RugbyPass

mused 8 minutes ago

Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Interesting take on the locking stable at qld. Who are you putting as the single #5?

My take is that it seems that Blyth/LSL tandom on the 5 side, while canham/smith play the 80 and are more mobile. Good depth to have, though I doubt we will hold onto them all next season.

111 Go to comments

JW 12 minutes ago

Razor has an about turn on All Blacks eligibility rules

Down where? They certainly lost support through the Irish series first loss and coach debacle following that, and I wouldn’t be surprised of those are a few coming on here complaining about how bad Richie was in Black. They just didn’t see how good he was.

51 Go to comments

JW 15 minutes ago

Razor has an about turn on All Blacks eligibility rules

LOL Savea was garbage last year!

51 Go to comments

JW 16 minutes ago

Razor has an about turn on All Blacks eligibility rules

Yep, another problem!

I think he would have, in the instance I mentioned, which wasn’t changing anything other than correctly applying todays eligibility quidelines. Which is an arbitrary construct, as the deal likely would have played out completely differently, but I just ‘allowed’ him to have 1 year sabbatically for his ‘loyalty’, rather than having some arbitrary number like 70 caps required.

So if Richie had a 3 year deal, and the first year he was allowed to use him still, I don’t think he’d really not transition to Dmac being his main 10, as he’s obviously the only one he can use for the following two years, therefore likely his only real option for the WC (very hard for Richie to overtake him in such a short time). Richie would purely be a security net in a situation like I proposition where there are only small changes to the eligibility.

The system is not working well enough though, as we don’t have the Rugby Championship or World Cup trophies, do we? Well on that last question, that’s all I’m really saying but I would not believe a word this author says, so it’s entirely a ‘what if’ discussion, but if the author is right and now they are actually going to be more flexible, I think that’s great yeah. Ultimately thought I think those two players were an anomaly signing their contracts and futures up so far ahead, especially of when they were performing. Both jumped at the opportunity of good contracts when their All Black prospects weren’t looking that bright.

51 Go to comments

mused 16 minutes ago

Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Ya, that reds lineout on the weekend was a mess. But as a lineout jumper of absolutely no repute back in the day, I used to hate hookers throwing the ball at my hips. And that was before I had jumped…

Years ago, I would have said for Lancaster to stay away from the political mess that was RA. It seems different at the moment, but time will tell. Interesting turn of events if he gets the job. I’m not in a hurry for kiss to leave the reds. He is doing good things with this squad.

111 Go to comments

JoeySanders 30 minutes ago

Red-hot Brumbies dispatch toothless Sharks to set-up novel semi-final pairing

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