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Reuters
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
McKellar targets smart approach to Blues clash after Waratahs keep season alive
May 25 (Reuters) - Coach Dan McKellar will take his New South Wales Waratahs to New Zealand next week to face Super Rugby Pacific champions Auckland Blues looking to unearth a path to victory in a must-win clash for both sides. The Waratahs kept their campaign alive on Saturday with a 22-17 win over the Western Force in Super Point extra time as McKellar's team moved to within two points of sixth-placed Moana Pasifika with one round left in the regular season. "You've just got to go over there and be tactically really smart with how you play," McKellar said after wing Darby Lancaster's 90th minute try in Perth. "They're a quality side and they've got threats across the park, so if you want to try and beat them at their game you'll come second best. "So we've got to be smart about how we approach it as a coaching group to give the boys the best chance to go over there and achieve something pretty special." The teams meet on Saturday with both outside the playoff positions, the Blues in seventh on 28 points and the Waratahs two points behind in eighth. The Waratahs would need to win and for sixth-placed Moana to lose against the Wellington Hurricanes to qualify for the playoffs while a bonus point victory could be enough for the Blues to climb into sixth even if Moana win. McKellar's team maintained their hopes by the narrowest of margins in the rain at Perth Rectangular Stadium as both the Waratahs and the Force squandered opportunities to lock in the win as time ticked down. Lancaster, however, secured victory with a spectacular dive into the corner in the 10th minute of extra-time to give McKellar and his players a much-needed boost after a run of poor results. "It's massive," McKellar said. "We've had a rough few weeks. You feel for the players. "Our reviews are always honest, and they have to be because we want to get better, but their attitude has been excellent and we bounced back and we can have a couple of quiet beers and celebrate a good win. "I'm sure it wasn't pretty, it won't go down as a classic but it's four points in the bank and we're still alive."
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force lose in golden point as Waratahs prevail 23-17
Western Force's Super Rugby Pacific season has ended in heartbreaking fashion, as Waratahs winger Darby Lancaster's incredible acrobatic try secured a 23-17 win golden point win. In a feisty affair played out in wet conditions, the Force came from behind before letting a late lead slip which resulted in an encore of their extra-time period against the Hurricanes from earlier this season. For the second time this season, the Force came away without a win from golden point after the two sides were unable to be split after 80 minutes. And the Force's season finished in sour fashion after the siren in golden point when Lancaster cartwheeled over the try-line in the corner and his effort was approved by the Television Match Official. A season which promised so much a month ago, when the Force's previous golden point draw against the Hurricanes left them in fifth spot, ended with five consecutive losses. And a wooden spoon which seemed unthinkable with the Force in a finals spot for the first half of the season is not off the cards if Fijian Drua and the Highlanders win next week. The Force had led 17-14 at the break after two quick tires, while Carlo Tizzano made history with his 13th five-pointer of the season to become the out-right holder of the record for most tries by a forward in a Super Rugby campaign. Hamish Stewart's late first-half try for the Force proved to be a flashpoint of sorts; not only did it give them their first lead of the game, it triggered a melee which set off a chain reaction of chagrin which persisted throughout the encounter. But the Force could not make their chances count in the second half as they were held scoreless, and while both teams missed penalties in golden point, it was the Waratahs who ultimately prevailed to keep their own finals hopes alive. The Force were close to beating themselves at numerous points in the first half, like when Ben Donaldson's pop pass in the fourth minute was picked off by Triston Reilly and taken to the house. But the visitors soon found themselves on the back foot as penalties began to accumulate against them and Tizzano responded when he drove over from close range, taking Joey Walton with him. Waratahs fly-half Tane Edmed was at the heart of the way side's best moments and he helped the 'Tahs to a 14-5 lead when his clever chip kick was collected by Darby Lancaster, who then scored after some nice work from Jake Gordon and Hugh Sinclair. The Force narrowed the margin to four points in the 33rd minute when Harry Potter and Dylan Pietsch combined down the left edge to allow Bayley Kunzle to gallop free, and his inside pass was carried over by Mac Grealy. And the hosts then took the lead when Stewart smashed through Gordon's tackle to find the line, which was followed by a prolonged skirmish between the two sides when Stewart took umbrage to the close attention of Fergus Lee-Warner. The pre-break hostilities set the stage for the second half and the Waratahs were guilty of of losing their cool early. Miles Amatosero was penalised for a crude clean-out on Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou was sin-binned for an attemped slide tackle Roy Keane would have been proud of and then Angus Bell gave away a penalty for throwing the ball at an opponent. But even with Tupou yellow-carded, the Force were unable to turn their numerical advantage into points, keeping the Waratahs in the game — and momentum shifted in favour of the Waratahs. As the rain thundered down late, the Force lost Tiaan Tauakipulu to a yellow card, which allowed Jack Bowen to level the scores with a penalty goal. A Potter breakdown penalty gave the Force a penalty near the sidelines as time expired, but Kurtley Beale's ambitious goal-kick narrowly missed the mark, triggering golden point. Alex Harford's attempted penalty goal missed the mark, but Bowen failed to convert his own attempt before Lancaster's acrobatic placement in the corner secured the win.
The Age
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Super Rugby LIVE: Waratahs take on Force with their season of the line
Latest posts Latest posts 7.14pm Andrew Kellaway out for Waratahs Some late team news, Andrew Kellaway is out, with the Wallabies utility back switching out with Darby Lancaster who gets another chance on the wing after a difficult night in defence for the Waratahs. There's a direct showdown between former Waratahs' playmaker Ben Donaldson and the current man in possession of the jersey, Tane Edmed. Taniela Tupou gets his first start after coming off the bench for the last five games for the Waratahs, expect the tighthead to make Fatongia Paea's night as difficult as possible in the set piece. The Force can't qualify for the finals in Super Rugby, but they have the first game against the British and Irish Lions and many of their team including breakaway Carlos Tizzano and winger Harry Potter will be desperate to book their place in Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt's extended Test squad. 6.58pm How the Waratahs are lining up 6.58pm Can the Tahs make finals? 6.58pm It's all on the line tonight Good evening rugby fans. It's Jonathan Drennan, and I will be guiding you through tonight's action in Perth. There is rarely a dull day on the Waratahs' beat and here we are on the penultimate game of the season against the Force. Last season, the Waratahs would be well in with a chance of playing finals, but this year, with the number of slots down from eight to six, they must win in Perth. If they win against the Force, they then must win against the Blues in Auckland and also hope that Moana Pasifika lose against the Hurricanes. None of this is impossible, but it's going to be a hell of a job for a team that hasn't won on the road this year. There were some strong words from coach Dan McKellar and captain Jake Gordon after last week's defeat against the Crusaders and a tough review at training. Will it be enough to inspire this Waratahs team? We will soon find out.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Super Rugby LIVE: Waratahs take on Force with their season of the line
Latest posts Latest posts 7.14pm Andrew Kellaway out for Waratahs Some late team news, Andrew Kellaway is out, with the Wallabies utility back switching out with Darby Lancaster who gets another chance on the wing after a difficult night in defence for the Waratahs. There's a direct showdown between former Waratahs' playmaker Ben Donaldson and the current man in possession of the jersey, Tane Edmed. Taniela Tupou gets his first start after coming off the bench for the last five games for the Waratahs, expect the tighthead to make Fatongia Paea's night as difficult as possible in the set piece. The Force can't qualify for the finals in Super Rugby, but they have the first game against the British and Irish Lions and many of their team including breakaway Carlos Tizzano and winger Harry Potter will be desperate to book their place in Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt's extended Test squad. 6.58pm How the Waratahs are lining up 6.58pm Can the Tahs make finals? 6.58pm It's all on the line tonight Good evening rugby fans. It's Jonathan Drennan, and I will be guiding you through tonight's action in Perth. There is rarely a dull day on the Waratahs' beat and here we are on the penultimate game of the season against the Force. Last season, the Waratahs would be well in with a chance of playing finals, but this year, with the number of slots down from eight to six, they must win in Perth. If they win against the Force, they then must win against the Blues in Auckland and also hope that Moana Pasifika lose against the Hurricanes. None of this is impossible, but it's going to be a hell of a job for a team that hasn't won on the road this year. There were some strong words from coach Dan McKellar and captain Jake Gordon after last week's defeat against the Crusaders and a tough review at training. Will it be enough to inspire this Waratahs team? We will soon find out.
