SYDNEY, 22 May 2005 — A superb defensive performance from Australia’s New South Wales Waratahs helped them beat South Africa’s Northern Bulls 23-13 yesterday to join the Canterbury Crusaders in next week’s Super 12 final.
The Waratahs withstood waves of attacks from the Bulls then piled on 17 unanswered points after trailing 13-6 late in the first half to reach the final for the first time.
Morgan Turinui and his center partner Nathan Grey both scored tries for NSW while winger Peter Hewat kicked three penalties and two conversions to sneak past the Crusaders’ Dan Carter as the tournament’s leading pointscorer this season. Fullback Johan Roets scored the only try for the Bulls, who were appearing in the first semifinal since 1996 when they were known as Northern Transvaal, while flyhalf Morne Steyn landed two penalties and a conversion. “It definitely wasn’t pretty, they put us under a lot of pressure but we defended very well,” NSW captain Chris Whitaker said.
“We didn’t make a great start, we’ve done that in our last few games, but we didn’t panic.”
The Bulls, who won their last six matches to reach the playoffs, dominated the forward contest with their massive pack but the Waratahs were superior in the backs, with former rugby league internationals Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers both outstanding. “We made too many mistakes,” Bulls skipper Anton Leonard said. “It’s always hard to come over here but congratulations to the Waratahs they played well and deserved to win.”
