Waratahs Topple Strong Blues Outfit in Gosford

The NSW Waratahs have scored their second trial win of 2006, downing a Blues outfit littered with All Blacks 28-21 at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford.

With an impressive 10,812 spectators looking on the Waratahs crossed for three tries, two of those coming in the third quarter of play to set the home side on course for victory.

With an influx of Wallaby tourists, including gun recruit Wendell Sailor, making their first appearances for the year, the Waratahs started slowly before gradually gaining the upper hand.

First points of the match came off the boot of Peter Hewat, however the home side soon found itself trailing after scrumhalf John Senio finished off a quality team try to put the Blues out to a 7-3 lead.

Four minutes later the Waratahs had their first five pointer, a 20-metre pass from flyhalf Sam Norton-Knight finding outside centre Morgan Turinui who twisted in the tackle before planting the ball over the line to put his side back into the lead.

Hewat’s conversion put the Waratahs ahead 10-7 at the first break.

The second quarter saw both teams enjoy a number of good chances, however the only addition to the scoreboard at half time was a second Hewat penalty goal just before the interval.

The second half opened with a flurry of tries, the first coming to Waratah lock Rocky Elsom off a neat break from Daniel Halangahu.

But the Waratahs would get very little time to enjoy the breathing space, All Black winger Joe Rokocoko crashing over out wide to put the Blues back to within a converted try at 20-14.

Tim Donnelly took over the kicking duties from Hewat in the second half and the flyhalf wasted no time in getting in the thick of it, nailing a penalty goal to extend the Waratahs lead once again.

Victory was established five minutes later when giant flanker Wycliff Palu split the line, before finding Shaun Berne who in turn fed Stephen Hoiles for the Waratahs third try.

Donnelly’s conversion attempt sailed wide however the Waratahs had victory in their sights at 28-14.

There the score remained until the final minute of the match, Blues flyhalf Luke McAlister scoring a converted try just inside the right hand touchline to see the final score finish at 28-21 in favour of the Waratahs.

The match was a quality spectacle for the Central Coast fans, with no less than 10 All Blacks and six Wallabies in action during the second half alone.

The victory also sets the Waratahs up nicely for their final trial prior to the start of the Super 14 season proper, against the Crusaders at Aussie Stadium next Saturday night.