Waratahs player ratings vs Reds | Super Rugby Pacific

The NSW Waratahs invited the Queensland Reds to Leichhardt Oval in Sydney’s Inner West for round two of Super Rugby Pacific. 

It was a typically fiery clash between the two rival states, and the rain in Sydney turned the game into an attritional battle played out in the forwards.

The fans that braved the weather to pack out the stands of the suburban ground were treated to a traditional knock-down-drag-out match. 

The Waratahs failed to convert all their territory and possession into points, and it was the calming influence of James O’Connor and the hard graft of the forward pack that allowed the Reds to grind out a 20-16 win. 

Here's how the Waratahs rated:

1. Angus Bell - 7

Had some powerful carries and threw his weight around against an undermanned Reds front row. Picked out Harry Wilson to run at every chance he got and it made for some big collisions. 

2. Dave Porecki - 6

The lineout was working well under Porecki’s watch until the second half when a few wayward throws disrupted the Waratahs attack. Was a workhorse until being subbed with 20 minutes to go. 

3. Harry Johnson-Holmes - 6

Gave away a penalty to gift the Reds three points to open the match but improved as the match went on. He scrummaged well and earned his team some scrum penalties. 

4. Jed Holloway - 6

Recovered from being dropped from a lift to become an instrumental cog in the lineout. Worked hard all game and was in and amongst every heated exchange between the Waratahs and the Reds players. 

5. Geoff Cridge - 5.5

The New Zealander buried himself into every ruck. He gave away a penalty early in the second half to allow the Reds to break the deadlock. Went off early into the second half. 

6. Jeremy Williams - 6

Was all over the park and carried well playing at blindside flanker. 

7. Charlie Gamble - 7

Made some important breaks to give the Waratahs momentum in the first half and was there to turn over crucial ball when the game was in the balance. His distinctive mullet and stache definitely caught the eye of the crowd. 

8. Will Harris - 7

Was one of the best Tahs forwards. He played strong at the back of the scrum and carried hard up the middle all night. Was the lucky recipient of loose ball off the back of the scrum to crash over for the Waratahs first try. 

9. Jake Gordon - 6

Lead his team around and rallied his forwards from the base of the ruck, putting Donaldson in the box seat to call the shots. 

10. Ben Donaldson - 8 

Another strong outing for the young playmaker. Showed composure in tough conditions, making the right choices when it came to playing it safe by kicking to the corners and knowing when to chance his hand by distributing to his backs. He even bagged a drop goal. 

11. James Turner - 6

Showed an electric turn of pace when he got the ball in his hands and had a better night under the highball. Jimmy the Jet was denied in the corner by a Josh Flook cover tackle. Unfortunately, opportunities were few and far between for Turner. 

12. Lalakai Foketi - 5.5

Held the backline together in the midfield and fed the ball to Perese. He muscled up in defence, especially when the Reds raided the Waratahs 22. 

13. Izaia Perese - 6.5

It was a game to showcase his power and hard running and the Waratahs utilised it to their advantage. Perese frequently shrugged off tackles to get the backline in space to give the Tahs much-needed go-forward. 

14. Dylan Pietsch - 6

Took his chances out on the right wing. Despite the weather, he was able to turn the defence around on a few occasions. 

15. Alex Newsome - 5

Had a mixed bag under the highball and put in a few wayward kicks. Did put Pietsch in space for him to step his way through the Reds covering defence. 

Reserves

16. Tom Horton - 5

The Waratahs lineout continued to struggle when Horton came on. Was a menace in the rucks.

17. Tetera Faulkner - 5

Combined with Ruan Smith to earn his team a scrum penalty towards the end of the match.

18. Ruan Smith - 6

The wily veteran used his vast knowledge of the Reds scrum to continue the Tahs' dominance late in the game. 

19. Max Douglas - 5

Stood out as the tallest man on the field. Was industrious in his 20 minutes on the field. 

20. Langi Gleeson - 5

Distinctive is red headgear, Gleeson added some muscle in defence late in the game. 

21. Jack Grant - N/A

Didn’t make it off the bench. 

22. Tane Edmed - 5

Was handed the keys to the Waratahs backline with 15 minutes to go. Showed some good touches. 

23. Jamie Roberts - 5

Came on with five minutes to go to and immediately carried hard to get the Waratahs in good field position.