NSW’s stirring comeback season has come to a close after being outclassed by the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific quarter finals in Hamilton on Saturday.
As they have all year under new coach Darren Coleman, the Waratahs competed with great spirit and scored some cracking tries.
But for all their attacking endeavour they never really looked causing an upset and the Chiefs eventually cruised to a 39-15 win at FMG Stadium.
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The Waratahs did not win a game last year but posted eight victories in 2022 to restore pride in the sky blue jersey.
“Credit to the Chiefs, they’re a classy outfit and they’ve had the wood on us all year,” NSW captain Jake Gordon said.
“They’re just really hard to contain when they get front foot ball and off turnover attack they’re exceptional. They really punish you for your mistakes. We had opportunities in their 22 and we weren’t good enough.”
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Harris scores coast-to-coast classic
Gordon was relatively upbeat despite the loss as he reflected on the considerable progress.
“Last year was a tough year for the franchise and the team,” Gordon said.
“To bounce back like we have, we’ve got a lot of growth left in us. We’ve got to keep growing and we’ll be a better team next year. Very exciting, the guys will be another year older, more experienced and we’re excited for it.”
Chiefs captain Brad Weber was electric at halfback, scoring two tries with his sparky support play.
Luke Jacobson, Alex Nankivell and Pita Gus Sowakula were the other Chiefs try-scorers while All Blacks coach Ian Foster, watching in the stands, would have been thrilled with the output of veteran lock Brodie Retallick.
Rising stars Dylan Pietsch and Will Harris were NSW’s try-scorers.
Pietsch swoops for classy try
Winger Pietsch swooped on a well-weighted nudge through from Ben Donaldson while No.8 Harris showcased his eye-catching athletic qualities by scoring a coast-to-coast try that was ignited by Michael Hooper.
The loss leaves Australia with just one title hope left in the competition with the Brumbies hosting the Hurricanes on Saturday night.
The Reds were knocked out by the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.
Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens look back on an amazing final round of Super Rugby Pacific and are joined by sevens world champion Dom du Toit
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