Australia flanker Phil Waugh celebrated his 100th Super 14 appearance by leading the New South Wales Waratahs to a 34-16 win over New Zealand’s Otago Highlanders on Friday.
The Waratahs outscored the Highlanders four tries to one to collect their second bonus point of the season and remain undefeated after three matches, while handing the Highlanders a third straight loss.
”It was a much better effort than last week … but we’ve still got plenty to work on,” Waugh said in a televised interview.
The Waratahs struggled for most of the first half, going behind 6-0 to two Daniel Bowden penalties, but still managed to lead 17-9 at the change of ends.
Wallaby wing Lote Tuqiri scored after a clever grubber kick from flyhalf Kurtley Beale and flanker Ben Mowen crossed in injury time after Beale combined with Sam Norton-Knight.
The Waratahs stretched their lead when number eight Wycliff Palu barged over two minutes after the re-start to effectively seal the result, despite a try from Otago skipper Jason Shoemark.
The Waratahs clinched the bonus point for a fourth try when reserve scrumhalf Brett Sheehan scored under the posts two minutes from the end.
”We just played too much footy down in our own half and we couldn’t get out,” Shoemark said. ”The Waratahs defence was awesome tonight [Friday] and we just couldn’t get going.” — Reuters