Tahs pip Force
13 Apr 2012
GARETH DUNCAN reports on the Waratahs’ 23-18 win over the Force in Perth.
It wasn’t a convincing showing from the Sydney team as they relinquished a 14-point lead in the second half. Nevertheless, two Berrick Barnes penalties were enough to secure the vital win. This victory over the Force is only the Waratahs’ third triumph from their seven fixtures, which sees them crawl nearer to a play-off place on the standings and they jump into second spot in the Australian conference.
For the Force, however, it was their sixth defeat in eight matches and a second successive loss at home.
The Waratahs were the dominant team in the first half, and rightfully held on to a 10-3 lead at the break as they bossed the breakdowns and showed more attacking potency with ball in hand. This saw wing Tom Kingston finish off a swift counter-attack after Force flank Richard Brown lost the ball in contact. Scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin slotted the conversion, adding to the three points he kicked earlier in the stanza.
The hosts had their opportunities to score, but could only capitalise via a David Harvey penalty.
It was a disappointing finish to the opening 40 for the visitors as they camped inside the Force 22m area in the closing stages. They were awarded kickable penalties during this continuous pressure, but opted to pursue for the try and failed.
The Waratahs started the second half with an early try as a smart lineout move gave flank Dave Dennis a clear run to the chalk.
On the back of a 17-3 deficit, the Force fought back bravely.
Scrumhalf Brett Sheheen powered over from close range as momentum swung into the Force’s favour. The Waratahs managed to restrict the Perth side’s ascendancy momentarily, but illegally, and they were reduced to 14 men after fullback Bernard Foley was shown a yellow card for a breakdown infringement.
With their one-man advantage, the Force gained a slim 18-17 lead after wing Alfie Mafi’s try and Harvey’s five points via a conversion and penalty.
Once they returned to 15 men, the Waratahs managed to close off the match in the final quarter. Barnes, who took over the kicking duties form McKibbin, converted two penalties from three goal attempts to seal a close win.

24 Comments
13 Apr 2012, 12:51 pm
May the Force be with the dragon!
13 Apr 2012, 13:05 pm
Come on Force
13 Apr 2012, 13:14 pm
Force Majeure…
13 Apr 2012, 13:25 pm
Come on the Tahs !
13 Apr 2012, 13:30 pm
Come on Force.
13 Apr 2012, 13:55 pm
Hope they both lose!!!
13 Apr 2012, 13:57 pm
Wow, what a game, the skill, the pace, the absolute farking boredom!!!!
13 Apr 2012, 13:59 pm
May Australia do the earth a favour and just sink…
13 Apr 2012, 14:00 pm
Sounds like a cracker – cant wait to watch it later
13 Apr 2012, 14:09 pm
Yes cmon on Waratahs! This is payback for what they did to you guys in Sydney.
13 Apr 2012, 14:09 pm
Yes go tahs!
13 Apr 2012, 14:19 pm
Oooo Force making a come back now.
13 Apr 2012, 14:27 pm
from rugby365
SANZAR citing: Processes and timelines
SANZAR, the controlling body for Super Rugby, has released a guide to provide clarity of the organisation’s investigation of incidents of foul play and reporting timelines.
Citing process and Timelines:
1. Teams have four hours post match to request in writing for the Citing Commissioner to review an incident of foul play.
2. The SANZAR Citing Commissioners have 12 hours post match to review any incidents from the match via broadcast footage and or additional angles of an incident if available.
3. The Citing Commissioner may request additional information on an incident such as:
* Written reports from the Match Referee and his Assistant Referees
* Written testimony from a player(s)
* Medical report from a team doctor
* Any additional angles the team may have of the incident that are not provided by the host broadcaster
The Citing Process following review of an incident has one of three outcomes:
* No further Action
* Issue of “Off-field” Yellow Card
* Cite the player
In the first instance when a player has been cited or has received a Red Card the matter will be reviewed by the Duty Judicial Officer.
Should a matter be referred to a full Judicial Hearing the hearing will take place via video conference at a pre-determined time as set by SANZAR taking into account the time taken by the above process and travel schedules of the teams.
Please note following the issue of a White Card, the incident will be investigated by the Citing Commissioner using the above-mentioned process and timeline, and if no formal notification is released following 12 hours after the match, then the matter is to receive no further action and an update will be provided by SANZAR in the weekly Judicial Wrap posted on the website.
The following announcements will be made by SANZAR:
* Notification of a judicial hearing following a Red Card: Within 8 Hours post match.
* Notification of an “Off-field” Yellow Card: Within 12 Hours post match.
* Notification of a citing: Within 12 Hours post match.
* Notification of a formal Judicial Hearing following a citing: As soon as practical.
* Notification of an Appeal: As soon as practical.
* Notification of a Misconduct Hearing: As soon as practical.
My question is this…
Didn’t Greg Peters et al explain that the white card was an innovation allowing the refs to ‘flag’ inconclusively questionable play… which the JO’s would follow up and review and decided what action should be taken? And the whole thing was to expedite the whole process timeously…?
The whole impression created at the time was that the ref’s and JOs would act independently and it would NOT be incumbent upon the teams to submit anything…?
Now… far from making the system fairer… it seems that even more pressure has been applied to team managements… instead of the 12 or 24 (or whatever) hours of previous years… teams now have an extremely limited time of only four hours post-match to review all video footage and write a full report…?
This all while the players are celebrating a win or mourning a loss, have a quick post match debrief, showering, attending post-match interviews and functions…???
What the heck is wrong with SANAZR that they can’t see that what was intended to simplify and streamline the judicial process has just made it more complicated and stressful than it was before… and more likely that teams will not meet such absurd deadlines…???
But perhaps that is the point… ?? It will be simpler and more streamlined for SANZAR if teams keep missing the deadline…
SANZAR really are a bunch of clueless morons…!!
13 Apr 2012, 14:29 pm
Ohh Force getting close now. Waratahs come on watch your backs.
13 Apr 2012, 14:32 pm
Cmon Waratahs dont lose it now. You guys have to hit back now!
13 Apr 2012, 14:35 pm
Yes great stuff boys keep it together. Berrick rally your troops man!
13 Apr 2012, 14:39 pm
Waratahs keep head now please!
13 Apr 2012, 14:42 pm
Sarel show some Saffa magic!
13 Apr 2012, 14:49 pm
@thesaint(thesaint)-8: Sorry mate, ain’t gonna happen!!!
13 Apr 2012, 14:55 pm
Yes well done Tahs. My Bru is now 2 from 2!
13 Apr 2012, 14:59 pm
0/2 for the Keo Sieners…
13 Apr 2012, 15:40 pm
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-21:
2/2 for me so far
my picks from yesterday:
sharks
waratahs
stormers
brumbies
chiefs
bulls
13 Apr 2012, 19:54 pm
My picks on my website 2 out of 2 so far. And I talked up Dennis the try scorer. Feeling mighty smug! I
14 Apr 2012, 00:06 am
Only 1/2 on Superbru for me. Still doing better than the Keo guys, so I take some solace in that.
I had picked (with my reasons):
Sharks – Blues are too worried about off-field problems to focus
Force – Playing at home
Crusaders – Playing at home, Stormers probably tired after so many big games
Brumbies – Rebels are playing away from home and the Brumbies are the best of the Aussies at the moment
Cheetahs – As much as I want my boys (the Chiefs) to win, they don’t do well in South Africa.
Bulls – Oh come on, Bulls against lowly Lions. I would have to be psychic to predict an upset here.
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