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Waratahs self-destruct in new stadium as visiting Sharks earn away win

Michael Hooper of the Waratahs. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The NSW Waratahs have found yet another way to derail their Super Rugby campaign: hit the self-destruct button.

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The Waratahs had lock Jed Holloway sent off and flanker Jack Dempsey sin-binned in a costly 23-15 loss to the Sharks at Parramatta’s plush new Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night.

Playing with only 13 men against 15 for a crucial five-minute period in the second half, the Tahs blew a golden opportunity to leapfrog the Melbourne Rebels and seize the Australian conference lead ahead of a two-game trip to South Africa.

The match was in the balance at 10-10 when Holloway was shown a red card for elbowing Sharks prop Thomas du Toit in the head in the 46th minute.

Australian referee Nic Berry also issued du Toit a yellow card for holding Holloway back but said Holloway had taken matters in his own hands with his unnecessary retaliation.

Holloway is the first Waratahs player to be sent off since Pat O’Connor earned a red card for headbutting b ack in 2011.

Five minutes later Dempsey was sent for a spell for a tip tackle on Sharks winger Sbusiso Nkosi and it didn’t take long for the tourists to punish the Waratahs.

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Centre Andre Esterhuizen charged over two minutes later and Curwin Bosch’s conversion had the Sharks 17-10 ahead and with a one-man advantage for the best part of the last half hour.

There was no way back for the Tahs with Bosch putting the boot in with two further penalty goals to secure a priceless away win for the Durban outfit before Bernard Foley crossed for a consolation try after the fulltime siren.

But, such was their night, Foley missed the conversion attempt from virtually in front, denying the Waratahs an important bonus point.

Dejected captain Michael Hooper rued another match that got away.

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“It was really hard,” Hooper said.

“The Sharks played a really good possession game there, kept putting us down there.

“They took some shots at goal which ate up time. We let the lead get too far out.”

The stinging defeat comes a week after the Waratahs downed the Rebels to breath new life in the fight for Australian conference honours and a guaranteed finals berth.

Daryl Gibson’s Jekyll and Hyde side had stressed all week about the importance of stringing back-to-back victories together.

Alas, they will head to South Africa for potentially season-saving clashes with the Bulls and Lions having won consecutive matches just once in 2019.

Kurtley Beale ahead of Sharks match:

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SC 2 hours ago
New All Blacks locks squeezing captain Barrett out of contention

As a former lock, it’s frustrating that most media and supporters do not know that there is a significant difference in the roles and duties (even body types) of a 4 power tight lock and 5 aerial loose lock.


The 4 lock is an enforcer who is very physical and carries hard in tight, a very effective nasty ruck cleaner, a very powerful scrummager behind the tighthead, and hard hitting defender. Often the are the second lineout option at the back. This is the spot Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu, Isaiah Walker- Leawere play. Big tough hard men. Think Bakkies Botha and Brodie Retallick.


The 5 lock is almost always taller and leaner as their primary responsibility is winning the ball in the air on lineouts and restarts. Height is essential. They clean a ton of rucks and make a lot of tackles but their carries tend to be out wider in space and which requires more athleticism than tight lock. This is where Holland, Va’ai, and Darry play. Think Victor Matfield and Sam Whitelock.


My point is Holland is way too lean in his body shape at this point, and too inexperienced, and not quite enough mongrel to play 4. Give him time to physically mature and harden up. He is playing great at 5 and Va’ai looks very good at 6.


And if Hamish believes that Tuipulotu has suddenly become a better tight lock at test level over Barrett based on two performances vs France B god bless him but I’ll base my decision over their career test form, which Barrett has clearly been superior. I do like Tuipulotu as a bench lock playing the last 20-25 minutes for Barrett with a 6-2 bench.

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