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Suaalii scores in huge Tahs upset win | 01:51
The NSW Waratahs have stunned the rugby union world with a phenomenal 102-metre team try during their upset Super Rugby win over the Chiefs in Sydney on Friday night.
Leading 14-7 early in the second half, the Waratahs forced a turnover just inside their own in goal with halfback Teddy Wilson shifting it wide to winger Andrew Kellaway.
Kellaway had plenty of clear air in front of him and raced around 40 metres before passing it onto former NRL star Joseph Suaalii, who galloped down the right wing.
Suaalii kept the play alive with a lovely ball back on his inside to fly half Lawson Creighton who skilfully tapped the ball onto Kellaway who in turn threw the last pass to the try scorer Wilson.
“This is one of the greatest tries we’ve ever, ever seen at the SFS (Allianz Stadium),” Sean Maloney said in commentary.
The Waratahs wound up holding on for a 21-14 win despite a late surge from the table-topping Chiefs.
It’s the Waratahs’ first home win against the Chiefs in nine years.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said he was “very, very proud” after his team pulled off a stirring win, with a rock-solid defence key to the victory.
The rousing triumph in Sydney on Friday evening, with tries from Joseph Suaalii, Triston Reilly, Teddy Wilson, kept the ‘Tahs unbeaten at home this season and thrust them to fourth on the ladder.
It was only the Chiefs second loss this campaign from eight games. The win was even sweeter given the ‘Tahs were coming off two heavy defeats, against Moana Pasifika and the Wellington Hurricanes where they leaked 16 tries and 102 points.
“You can’t beat the Chiefs and be relieved — just really, really proud,” said McKellar, who this week ruled himself out of the running to take over from Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach.
“We challenged each other this week, and the boys bounced back incredibly well. They turned up with a whole lot of belief.”
The home side held a deserved 14-7 lead at halftime, highlighted by fullback Suaalii’s blistering run that finished off a well-timed pass from fly half Lawson Creighton for the opening try.
The Chiefs pressed hard in the second half for the win but the Waratahs’ defence admirably stood up under scrutiny.
“Defence is the most important thing in the building,” McKellar said.
“If we want to be a team that’s prepared to fight and work hard for each other time after time after time, you’ll get reward off the back of it — and we got that.
“At halftime, I just said, ‘What does it mean to you?’ If it means something, then you genuinely go that extra yard and show that bit more care, and we did that.”
