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It didn't require anything too fancy but the Waratahs outplayed the Fijiian Drua in every facet of the game as they cruised to a 40-10 win in their Super Rugby Pacific clash on Friday.
Lack of cohesion played a big role in a pretty lacklustre performance by debutants Fijiian Drua, who just didn't quite click at any point during the match and suffered a string of unforced errors at unfortunate times.
The Waratahs, on the other hand, put on a technical masterclass by doing the basics right and dominating the season-opening fixture in open play and at the set pieces to claim their first Super Rugby win since August 2020.
Ben Donaldson kicked the scoring off with a penalty in the seventh minute with an impressive 42-metre shot before Will Harris busted over the line from close range to score the first try of the game five minutes later after he picked it from a ruck and drove his way over.
Donaldson converted to add the extras and bring the score to 10-0 to the home side.
The game was still very tight at this stage and the visitors would've felt right in the match when Ben Kerr pulled three points back from the penalty spot in the 16th minute.
Two more penalty shots from Donaldson extended the lead to 16-3 in the 22nd minute, after which Fiji had their best period of the first half and spent a long stretch in the Waratahs half. Unfortunately, some handling errors at inopportune times cost them.
After dealing with the pressure, the home side capped off a solid first half with a good old forwards try. The pack put in some fantastic work to drive the ball up to the line and allow David Porecki to crawl his way over in the 35th minute.
Donaldson missed the conversion to make the halftime score 21-3 to the Waratahs.
It was more of the same immediately after the break as the 'Tahs came out with serious intent in their eyes. They broke the Fiji line just two minutes in, allowing Angus Bell to put Lalakai Foketi into space and over the line and bring the score to 26-3.
Things went from bad to worse for Fiji a couple of minutes later. They managed to work their way up to the Waratahs line and looked odds on to score before another knock-on ended their advance. To make matters worse, some play off the ball resulted in Jone Koroiduadua getting sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.
While he was off, Angus Bell busted through a gap to add another try after some great interplay by the Australian forwards. Donaldson converted this one to make it 33-3.
The game was all but over around the hour mark when Jake Gordon intercepted a looping pass and ran a full 60 metres to bring the score to 40-3.
However, to their credit, the Fijian side never gave up and got a try of their own in the 69th minute with Nemani Nagusa leading from the front as captain and getting over the line. Kerr converted to make it 40-10.
They kept fighting until the end and thought they had a second try two minutes from full time but the referee ruled that the ball had been held up by the Waratahs defence.
There were certainly some good signs for Fiji and they got better as the match went on but there is no doubt they were thoroughly outclassed by the home side on this occasion.
Scorers:
Waratahs
Tries: Will Harris, Dave Porecki, Lalakai Foketi, Angus Bell, Jake Gordon
Conversions: Ben Donaldson (3)
Penalties: Donaldson (3)
Fijian Drua
Try: Nemani Nagusa
Conversion: Baden Ker
Penalty: Kerr
Teams:
NSW 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 Lachie Swinton, 5 Geoff Cridge, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell
Substitutes: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19 Hugh Sinclair, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Jamie Roberts
Fijian Drua
15 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 14 Kitione Ratu, 13 Apisalome Vota, 12 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Baden Kerr, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Nemani Nagusa (captain), 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Jone Koroiduadua
Substitutes: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Timoci Sauvoli, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Viliame Rarasea, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Onisi Ratave
