The NSW Waratahs ended an eight-game losing streak in Canberra with a thrilling 30–28 upset win over the ACT Brumbies, as Sid Harvey’s boot proved the difference in a pulsating Round 7 clash at GIO Stadium.

Key moments

4 mins – TRY WARATAHS: The Waratahs strike first. Andrew Kellaway slices through the line and feeds Sid Harvey, who is cut down short. The forwards work it close and Clem Halaholo picks and goes left of the posts to dot down. Harvey converts. (Brumbies 0–7 Waratahs)

9 mins – YELLOW CARD WARATAHS: Pete Samu is shown yellow after the Waratahs concede a string of penalties under sustained Brumbies pressure near the line.

11 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: The Brumbies capitalise on the extra man. Billy Pollard taps and goes, and when the ball spits out the back Lachie Shaw picks up and drives low and hard over the line just left of the posts. Ryan Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 7–7 Waratahs)

17 mins – TRY WARATAHS: The Waratahs build phases on the Brumbies’ line before Jack Debreczeni loops a pass wide to Harvey, who delivers a lovely ball for Andrew Kellaway to coast in untouched in the corner. Harvey converts from wide. (Brumbies 7–14 Waratahs)

30 mins – TRY WARATAHS: End-to-end play results in a third Waratahs try. Max Jorgensen breaks through before the ball is shifted left for Joey Walton, who runs into a gaping hole and canters over. Harvey converts. (Brumbies 7–21 Waratahs)

40+4 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Massive for the Brumbies deep in added time. The Brumbies hammer away inside the Waratahs 22 through multiple phases. Charlie Cale puts his head down and powers over just right of the sticks to give the Brumbies hope. Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 14–21 Waratahs)

Half-time: Brumbies 14–21 Waratahs. The Waratahs have come to play in Canberra and lead at the break, despite the Brumbies’ dominance in possession and territory. Their defence has been ferocious, turning the Brumbies away from the line on multiple occasions. Three tries to two, but it has been the clinical Waratahs finishing and Harvey’s boot that has made the difference. Cale’s late try gives the Brumbies a lifeline but they will need to be more disciplined in the second half.

46 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: The Brumbies level immediately after the restart. Ollie Sapsford goes down the left edge and links back inside to James Slipper. They are cut down just short before Rob Valetini moves it back to the open side and Shaw powers over for his second. Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 21–21 Waratahs)

65 mins – PENALTY WARATAHS: Harvey slots a pressure penalty from 35m out on the left touchline to restore the Waratahs’ lead. (Brumbies 21–24 Waratahs)

71 mins – PENALTY WARATAHS: Harvey extends the advantage with another penalty from in front. (Brumbies 21–27 Waratahs)

74 mins – PENALTY WARATAHS: Harvey completes his hat-trick of second-half penalties from the middle of the park to put the Waratahs nine points clear. (Brumbies 21–30 Waratahs)

79 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Luke Reimer gives the Brumbies hope with a last-gasp try. The Brumbies drive their rolling maul towards the line and Reimer picks from the base and dots it down just right of the sticks. Tane Edmed converts. (Brumbies 28–30 Waratahs)

80 mins: The Brumbies try to run it from their 22 but lose possession, and the Waratahs win a penalty in the final play to kill the game. Jack Debreczeni kicks it into touch to seal a famous win.

Full-time: Brumbies 28–30 Waratahs

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c); 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Darcy Breen, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Toby Macpherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Hudson Creighton.

Waratahs: 15 Sid Harvey, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joey Walton, 12 Lawson Creighton, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon; 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jamie Adamson, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (c), 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert.
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Charlie Gamble, 21 Angus Scott-Young, 22 Teddy Wilson, 23 Triston Reilly.

Match details

Brumbies 28 (Tries: Shaw 2, Cale, Reimer; Conversions: Lonergan 3/3, Edmed 1/1)
Waratahs 30 (Tries: Halaholo, Kellaway, Walton; Conversions: Harvey 3/3; Penalties: Harvey 3/3)
Half-time: 14–21

Yellow card: Pete Samu (Waratahs, 9 mins)

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Graham Cooper

Caleb Tangitau crossed twice and debutant halfback Nic Shearer was the architect of a dominant Highlanders display as they ran out 39–19 winners over Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium — before a power outage plunged the ground into darkness and cut Sky Sport’s broadcast for the final 20 minutes.

Key moments

3 mins – MISSED PENALTY HIGHLANDERS: Reesjan Pasitoa pulls his penalty attempt wide and to the left from 32m out after Moana give away an early infringement. (Moana Pasifika 0–0 Highlanders)

8 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: The Highlanders strike first with a flowing move. Nic Shearer fires a wide pass left, with Angus Ta’avao playing it out the back door. Caleb Tangitau receives on the edge and breezes through two limp tackles to score down the left edge. Pasitoa hits the left upright with the conversion attempt. (Moana Pasifika 0–5 Highlanders)

20 mins – PENALTY HIGHLANDERS: Pasitoa slots from in front after the Highlanders opt for the posts following sustained pressure at the scrum. (Moana Pasifika 0–8 Highlanders)

27 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Shearer rolls it left to Tanielu Tele’a, who finds a nice ball for Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on the right edge. He is hauled down on the 5m line, but Shearer takes some neat steps, eluding two defenders before feeding Tangitau, who bulldozes over in the corner for his second. Pasitoa converts from the left sideline. (Moana Pasifika 0–15 Highlanders)

33 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Oliver Haig drops the lineout ball but Shearer keeps his composure, sizing things up before firing a long pass to Jona Nareki, who slips the defensive line on the blindside and rounds under the posts. Pasitoa converts. (Moana Pasifika 0–22 Highlanders)

38 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: The Highlanders go to the lineout maul inside the Moana 22. Jack Taylor lobs the ball to Tomas Lavanini, who drives it in, generating powerful forward momentum before Taylor peels off the right side to finish down the edge. Pasitoa’s conversion attempt is shanked wide to the right. (Moana Pasifika 0–27 Highlanders)

Half-time: Moana Pasifika 0–27 Highlanders. The Highlanders are in cruise control, barely leaving second gear throughout a dominant first half. Moana have been their own worst enemy, repeatedly coughing up possession through handling errors and gifting the visitors field position through cheap penalties. Tangitau has been the chief beneficiary in the red zone with two clinical finishes, while debutant Nic Shearer has been the architect of much of the damage at halfback. Tomas Lavanini has brought physicality and lineout presence, and there is very little to write home about for the home side.

41 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Only 14 seconds into the second half. Tangitau collects the kick-off on the fly and drives up over halfway. Tele’a works to the right edge and bursts straight through Joel Lam before offloading for Shearer, who leaps over in the right corner. Pasitoa’s conversion drifts left. (Moana Pasifika 0–32 Highlanders)

44 mins – TRY MOANA PASIFIKA: Moana hit back immediately. Haig drops the ball and Moana regather and drive. A flat shift drive catches the Highlanders short on numbers, and Niko Jones receives a short ball in midfield to burst through and score in the right corner. Jackson Garden-Bachop converts from the right sideline. (Moana Pasifika 7–32 Highlanders)

46 mins – YELLOW CARD MOANA PASIFIKA: William Havili is sent to the bin following a head-on-head collision with Tele’a, with an off-field review to follow. Moana are reduced to 14 men.

52 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: With Moana down to 14 men, the Highlanders go wide immediately. Tele’a drives into midfield to draw the defence, and Shearer bounces back right to send Veveni Lasaqa striding in down the right edge untouched. Pasitoa converts. (Moana Pasifika 7–39 Highlanders)

52 mins – YELLOW CARD MOANA PASIFIKA: Glen Vaihu is shown yellow for failing to retreat at a tap penalty, deemed a professional foul. Moana are briefly reduced to 13 men.

53 mins – TRY MOANA PASIFIKA: Moana respond immediately despite being down to 13. Haig drops another one, and Tangitau spills in trying to tidy up. Millennium Sanerivi hits a sharp line in midfield off a couple of short balls, races on into the 22 and finishes beside the posts. Garden-Bachop converts. (Moana Pasifika 14–39 Highlanders)

58 mins – TRY MOANA PASIFIKA: Good quick interplay down the right edge by Moana sees the Highlanders’ forwards sucked wide, with Siaosi Nginingini playing a key role in the build-up before Allan Craig drives over low and flat in the corner. Garden-Bachop’s conversion attempt hooks right. (Moana Pasifika 19–39 Highlanders)

Play is halted for nearly 30 minutes at approximately the 60-minute mark after a power failure at North Harbour Stadium takes out a light tower and cuts Sky Sport’s TV broadcast. After liaising with Sanzar, the decision is made to resume the match without a TMO and without live coverage. No further points are added.

Full-time: Moana Pasifika 19–39 Highlanders

Match report

Tangitau was the name on everyone’s lips as the All Blacks hopeful burned through the Moana Pasifika defence twice in the first half, setting the tone for a commanding Highlanders performance. His first, in the eighth minute, came after Shearer’s wide pass found Angus Ta’avao playing it out the back door; Tangitau received on the edge and breezed through two limp tackles to score in the corner. The winger’s second arrived on 27 minutes — Shearer threading through two defenders before feeding Tangitau, who bulldozed over despite the close attention of the Moana defence. New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie, in attendance in his new capacity, would have noted not just the clinical finishing but Tangitau’s willingness to hunt the ball across the field rather than wait passively on his wing.

Shearer, 22, had been handed his Super Rugby debut after Folau Fakatava was dropped following a string of below-par performances, and the former Southland NPC standout made the most of every opportunity. His crisp service from the base of the ruck gave the Highlanders’ backs the front-foot ball they had been denied in recent weeks, and his constant scanning of the backfield telegraphed the approach of a footballer thinking several phases ahead. His arrival was complemented by the return of Argentine lock Tomas Lavanini, whose physicality and lineout presence stabilised a set piece that had wobbled badly in the previous week’s 50–7 hammering by the Hurricanes. Jona Nareki added a third try with a composed blindside finish after Shearer’s long pass split the line, before Jack Taylor rumbled over from the lineout maul five minutes before half-time to complete a commanding opening period. By the break, the Highlanders led 27–0 and had barely moved out of second gear.

Moana’s misery deepened within 14 seconds of the restart when Tangitau regathered the kick-off, Tele’a burst through Joel Lam’s attempted tackle on the right edge and offloaded for Shearer to leap over in the corner. With the score now 32–0, the match appeared over as a contest — and two yellow cards in quick succession threatened to make the second half a procession. Havili was binned for a head-on-head collision with Tele’a, and with Moana reduced to 14 men, Lasaqa strolled over from Shearer’s service to make it 39–0. Moments later, Vaihu was shown yellow for a professional foul, briefly leaving Moana with just 13 men on the field.

To their credit, Moana rallied from that low point and won the second period 19–12. Jones burrowed over from a flat shift drive that caught the Highlanders short on numbers, Sanerivi capitalised on a Haig knock-on to race to the posts, and Craig’s bulldocking finish in the 58th minute completed a spirited fightback. Prop debutant Paula Latu was exceptional off the bench throughout, winning multiple scrum penalties that will make him a genuine contender to start against the Chiefs after the bye. Craig’s try arrived just as the lights went out and Sky’s coverage was cut, with a significant power outage at North Harbour Stadium overwhelming the broadcast truck’s failover battery. After liaising with Sanzar, the decision was made to complete the match without a TMO and without live broadcast. Viewers were directed to Moana Pasifika’s Instagram, where the club’s media manager streamed the conclusion to more than a thousand viewers. North Harbour Stadium management face serious questions about how the situation was allowed to arise.

The Highlanders head into their bye week with five points and considerably improved spirits after back-to-back dispiriting results. The bonus-point win temporarily moves them into the top six, though other results over the weekend will determine whether they stay there. For Umaga, coaching his side through his final season before departing to join Dave Rennie’s All Blacks staff, the injury list continues to grow — Joel Lam, Lalomilo Lalomilo and Niko Jones were all forced off during the match, adding to an already crowded ward. When one of the floodlights failed in the second half, it felt like a fitting metaphor for Moana’s season. Jonah Lowe did at least bring up his 50th Super Rugby appearance, a milestone that passed largely without fanfare on a night that had no shortage of other talking points.

Match details

Moana Pasifika 19 (Tries: Jones 44, Sanerivi 53, Craig 58; Conversions: Garden-Bachop 2/3)
Highlanders 39 (Tries: Tangitau 8, 27; Nareki 33; Taylor 38; Shearer 41; Lasaqa 52; Conversions: Pasitoa 4/6; Penalties: Pasitoa 1/2)
Half-time: 0–27

Yellow cards: William Havili (Moana Pasifika, 46 mins); Glen Vaihu (Moana Pasifika, 52 mins)

Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)

Teams

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Solomon Alaimalo, 13 Tevita Latu, 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11 Glen Vaihu, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Joel Lam; 8 Dominic Ropeti, 7 Niko Jones, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (c), 5 Allan Craig, 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Abraham Pole.
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Alefosio Aho, 20 Ola Tauelangi, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Tevita Ofa.

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Tanielu Tele’a, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Reesjan Pasitoa, 9 Nic Shearer; 8 Hugh Renton (co-c), 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Oliver Haig, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Josh Bartlett.
Replacements: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Rohan Wingham, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Sean Withy, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Andrew Knewstubb, 23 Nikora Broughton.

What’s next

Both sides have the bye in Round 8. The Highlanders return to Dunedin to host the Brumbies in Round 9, while Moana Pasifika welcome the Chiefs to North Harbour Stadium. The bonus-point win temporarily moves the Highlanders into the top six, though other results over the weekend will determine whether they stay there.

The Blues produced a remarkable second-half turnaround to defeat the Waratahs 35–20 in Sydney, scoring 27 unanswered points to claim a record 12th consecutive victory over their Australian rivals.

Key moments

3′ – TRY BLUES: The visitors strike first! Bradley Slater burrowed low and was stopped agonisingly short before Finlay Christie made an eyes-up play, catching the defence napping to plant it down on the line. Beauden Barrett misses the conversion. (Waratahs 0–5 Blues)

7′ – YELLOW CARD BLUES: Malachi Wrampling is sent to the sin bin after the TMO alerted the referee to foul play. Wrampling tucked his arm and collected Lawson Creighton with his shoulder to the head.

22′ – PENALTY WARATAHS: Sid Harvey gets the Tahs on the board, slotting a long-range penalty from 43m out after the scrum collapsed with Sam Matenga at fault. (Waratahs 3–5 Blues)

32′ – TRY WARATAHS: Controversy! Miles Amatosero appeared to lose the ball forward, but Jack Debreczeni gathered it on the full and stepped through multiple defenders to dive over under the posts. The TMO somehow ruled the ball didn’t go forward, so the try stands. Harvey converts. (Waratahs 10–5 Blues)

39′ – PENALTY BLUES: Barrett slots the goal from 15m out and right in front after the Blues earned back-to-back penalties inside the Waratahs’ 22. (Waratahs 10–8 Blues)

40+1′ – TRY WARATAHS: Massive blow right on the break! The Waratahs fought their way over the line through Tom Lambert after sustained pressure. The referee sent it to the TMO, and upon closer inspection, the prop got the ball down on the line. Harvey converts. (Waratahs 17–8 Blues)

Half-time: Waratahs 17–8 Blues. A scrappy, stop-start first half that never really found rhythm. The Blues struck early through Christie but a yellow card to Wrampling hurt their cause. The Waratahs made the most of their moments with a controversial Debreczeni try and Lambert’s effort on the stroke of half-time stretching the lead.

43′ – PENALTY WARATAHS: Harvey extends the lead with a penalty from 45m out after the Blues collapsed at scrum time. (Waratahs 20–8 Blues)

50′ – TRY BLUES: The visitors hit back! The Blues set a strong maul from the lineout and began to march forward. It splintered inside the 22 and Taufa Funaki pulled it out. Barrett shifted it wide right for Zarn Sullivan, who got it on to Codemeru Vai, and he attacked down the flank to dive over in the corner. Barrett misses the conversion. (Waratahs 20–13 Blues)

57′ – TRY BLUES: Here come the Blues! Taufa Funaki found a gap and sent Barrett in behind with a brilliant offload. Barrett drew Harvey and found AJ Lam on the outside to stroll over and score down the left. Barrett converts to bring us level. (Waratahs 20–20 Blues)

63′ – PENALTY BLUES: Barrett makes no mistake from 25m out after Lawson Creighton was caught offside. The Blues take the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. (Waratahs 20–23 Blues)

74′ – TRY BLUES: Statement second half from the Blues! The visitors hammered away inside the 22 before Funaki kept it moving quickly, finding Barrett out the back. Lam charged onto it and bumped Joey Walton off emphatically, muscling his way over to score a stunner down the right flank. Barrett converts. (Waratahs 20–30 Blues)

80′ – TRY BLUES: The Blues cap this one off in style! Off a Waratahs knock-on, Caleb Clarke burst away on the left wing, tearing into the 22. His inside ball saw Vai stopped just short before Barrett stabbed a cross kick to the right wing that saw Lam pop a ball back inside, sending Torian Barnes crashing over in the corner. Barrett misses the conversion. (Waratahs 20–35 Blues)

Full-time: Waratahs 20–35 Blues

Match report

Leading 20–8 early in the second half, the Waratahs appeared poised to snap a decade-long drought against the Blues. Instead, Dan McKellar’s side wilted in the final quarter for the third successive week, their finishing woes proving fatal against opponents who ruthlessly punished every error.

The result extended the Blues’ winning streak against the Waratahs to 12 matches — the first time in 30 years an Australasian Super Rugby franchise has achieved such dominance over a single rival. For the Waratahs, a third straight defeat sent them tumbling out of the top six for the first time this season.

The Waratahs’ troubles began before kick-off when outside centre Triston Reilly was ruled out with a groin injury — the second time in three weeks they had lost their No.13 just before a match, following Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s hamstring tear. Lawson Creighton was thrust into the midfield alongside Joey Walton, who was marking his 50th appearance for the club.

The Blues struck early through halfback Finlay Christie, who burrowed over from close range in just the third minute after the Waratahs made a mess of the opening restart. Hooker Bradley Slater had been stopped agonisingly short from the driving maul, but Christie made an eyes-up play at the base, catching the defence napping to plant it down on the line. Beauden Barrett missed the conversion, but the visitors had drawn first blood.

Yet rather than build on that platform, the Blues found themselves under sustained pressure for the remainder of the half. When No.8 Malachi Wrampling was yellow-carded in the seventh minute for a high shot on hooker Ethan Dobbins — tucking his arm and collecting the Waratahs rake with his shoulder to the head — the home side appeared certain to capitalise.

Instead, they squandered chance after chance with remarkable profligacy. Fullback Sid Harvey was denied by desperate scramble defence after accepting a flick pass from Max Jorgensen, the Blues somehow recovering when Harvey looked certain to score. Dobbins burst through midfield and chipped ahead, only for the ball to elude Pete Samu. Jake Gordon was held up over the line by Barrett. Winger Harry Potter spilled a try-scoring pass with the chalk at his feet. Jack Debreczeni completed a brilliant chip and chase but threw a hopeful pass that went to ground when he should have backed his own speed.

The Waratahs finally crossed in the 32nd minute through Debreczeni, though the try was mired in controversy. Lock Miles Amatosero appeared to lose the ball forward in midfield, but Debreczeni gathered on the full and stepped through multiple defenders to dive over under the posts. The Blues players closest to him stopped playing, assuming a knock-on call would come, but the TMO ruled the ball had travelled backwards and the try stood. Harvey converted to give the hosts a 10–5 lead.

Prop Tom Lambert barged over from close range right on the stroke of half-time after another lengthy TMO review. The Waratahs had hammered away at the line for multiple phases, with Amatosero and captain Matt Philip leading the charge, before Lambert was awarded the try despite initially appearing to be held up. Harvey’s conversion sent the Waratahs into the sheds with a 17–8 advantage that scarcely reflected their dominance.

Harvey’s penalty from 45 metres early in the second half stretched the lead to 12 points after the Blues collapsed at scrum time, but the Waratahs had fired their last shot. The Blues pack began to take control, laying a platform that allowed their backs to come alive.

Right wing Codemeru Vai finished a sharp backline move from the maul in the 50th minute. The Blues set a strong driving lineout and began to march forward before replacement halfback Taufa Funaki pulled it out. Barrett shifted the ball from left to right, finding Zarn Sullivan who got it on to Vai, and the wing attacked down the flank to dive over in the corner. Barrett’s conversion drifted wide, but the visitors had closed the gap to seven points.

Seven minutes later, Funaki broke the line with a brilliant snipe from the ruck base, sending Barrett away with an offload. The veteran playmaker drew Harvey before putting AJ Lam over untouched down the left flank. Barrett’s conversion brought the scores level at 20–20, and suddenly the momentum had shifted decisively.

The Blues were now rampant. Barrett kicked a penalty from 25 metres after Creighton was caught offside, and the visitors led for the first time since the opening minutes. Lam’s second try in the 74th minute was a statement of intent — the Blues hammered away inside the 22 before Funaki kept it moving quickly, finding Barrett out the back. Lam charged onto it and bumped Walton off emphatically, muscling his way over to score a stunner down the right flank. Barrett’s conversion stretched the lead to 10 points.

There was still time for Torian Barnes to crash over in the corner after Caleb Clarke’s searing break down the left wing. Off a Waratahs knock-on, Clarke burst away from halfway and tore into the 22. His inside ball saw Vai stopped just short before Barrett stabbed a cross kick to the right that Lam gathered and popped back inside, sending Barnes crashing over to cap a stunning 27–0 second-half blitz.

For Walton, whose milestone night ended in disappointment, the pattern was all too familiar. “We left about six tries out there,” he said. “It shows you’ve got to play for 80 minutes of Super Rugby. Two weeks in a row now we’re ahead 60, 65 minutes and then let it go.”

McKellar was equally frustrated, using the word “disappointing” seven times in his post-match press conference. “We hurt ourselves,” he said. “I’m not taking anything away from the opposition — they’ve got world-class players out there in a quality side — but it hurts because I feel like we played a fair role in losing control of that game in the second half.

“The disappointing part for me is I’m really desperate, or we’re desperate, to give New South Wales, the rugby community, a team that they can really get behind. I just sit here a bit deflated tonight, thinking that we’ve missed an opportunity against a good opposition.”

What’s next

The Blues climb to 4–2 and consolidate second place on the ladder, with two of their losses coming in the final minutes against the Chiefs and Brumbies in the opening weeks. They have a bye in Round 7.

For the Waratahs, now 2–3, the road only gets harder. They travel to Canberra to face the Brumbies next Friday night in what shapes as an early do-or-die derby.

“Brumbies is a huge week for the Tahs, so there’ll be a lot of feeling and intensity in training this week,” captain Philip said. “But first we’ve got to look at that game, look to see where we can get better and where we can learn to close out in those last 20 minutes. And then we’ll look to the Brumbies.”

Teams

Waratahs: 15 Sid Harvey, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joey Walton, 12 Lawson Creighton, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Jamie Adamson, 6 Clem Halaholo, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Matt Philip (c), 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Tom Lambert.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Angus Scott-Young, 22 Teddy Wilson, 23 George Poolman.

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Codemeru Vai, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Malachi Wrampling, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 6 Anton Segner, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Beehre, 3 Sam Matenga, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Che Clark, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Payton Spencer.

Match details

Waratahs 20 (Tries: Debreczeni 32′, Lambert 40+1′; Conversions: Harvey 2/2; Penalties: Harvey 2/2)
Blues 35 (Tries: Christie 3′, Vai 50′, Lam 57′ 74′, Barnes 80′; Conversions: Barrett 2/4; Penalties: Barrett 2/2)
Half-time: 17–8

Yellow card: Malachi Wrampling (BLU) 7′ – high tackle