Reds hold off tenacious Waratahs in driving Sydney rain

The Reds had to fight exceptionally hard in tough conditions before eventually getting the better of the Waratahs with a 20-16 victory in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at the Leichhardt Oval.

The visitors from Queensland suffered a blow before kick-off with the news that Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou had been ruled out of the contest with a back injury, while they also lost their captain and scrumhalf Tate McDermott just before half-time, but the reigning Super Rugby AU champs were still able to deliver when it counted to edge a tight contest and open the season with back-to-back victories.

The Reds were ahead inside two minutes following a Waratahs infringement at ruck time, with James O'Connor converting an early shot at goal.

The home side had a chance to hit back immediately with a penalty shot of their own after the Reds strayed offside, but Ben Donaldson couldn't find the target amid the persistent falling rain that would continue to fall for the entire match.

The Waratahs were definitely looking like the more enterprising of the two sides in the early stages, showing good continuity and control with ball in hand despite the adverse conditions.

When a Waratahs advance saw them get all the way to the Reds' line and earn a penalty, they opted for a scrum, and after several pick and drives, a long pass out wide found James Turner, who passed it back inside for Izaia Perese. The centre got his body over the whitewash but was held up by a superb effort from Tate McDermott.

Having turned down a penalty right in front, the Waratahs then decided to try their luck from 35 metres out, but the wind and the rain won the battle. The Reds were still in front despite seeing almost none of the ball, and when they got their first real opportunity in the Waratahs' 22, they took immediate advantage, O'Connor finding Jordan Petaia with a pinpoint cross-field kick that allowed the winger to take the leaping catch over the line and dot down.

Having been unable to score via more traditional means, the Waratahs finally hit back thanks to a bit of good fortune. From the back of another five-metre scrum on the Reds line, No 8 Will Harris spilled the ball backwards amid the attentions of McDermott, only to regather it and run straight through for the score when the Reds defence was caught flatfooted by his quick recovery.

The Waratahs had an opportunity to level the scores with a shot right in front not long before half-time and Donaldson didn't need a second invitation. Just as the 'Tahs were tying it up, the Reds were dealt another blow when their captain McDermott had to leave the field with an injury.

The rain continued to belt down in the second half as the Reds retook the lead via a shot from O'Conner, but the Waratahs nearly hit back with a scintillating try that went right and then left before James Turner was tackled into touch thanks to some superb cover defence from Josh Flook.

The 'Tahs tied it up again via the boot of Donaldson shortly after as the arm-wrestle continued, with neither team ready to give an inch.

Shortly after the hour mark, the Waratahs retook the lead via a Donaldson drop goal, but the Reds hit back with a potentially decisive try with 12 minutes to play, pounding away at the Waratahs line for nine phases before Ryan Smith found a way over

With time running out, the Waratahs were given one final chance to go at the Reds with a penalty kick for the corner, but they couldn't control the lineout and possession was turned over, allowing the Reds to see out the victory.

Scorers:

Waratahs

Try: Will Harris

Penalties: Ben Donaldson (2)

Conversion: Donaldson

Drop: Donaldson

Reds

Tries: Jordan Petaia, Ryan Smith

Penalties: James O'Connor (2)

Conversion: O'Connor (2)

Teams:

Waratahs

15 Alex Newsome, 14 Dylan Pietsch, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 James Turner, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Jake Gordon (captain), 8 Will Harris, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Jeremy Williams, 5 Geoff Cridge, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell

Substitutes: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Max Douglas, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Jamie Roberts

Reds

15 Jock Campbell, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Feao Fotuaika 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Dane Zander

Substitutes: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Spencer Jeans, 22 Lawson Creighton, 23 Mac Grealy