Waratahs win Cheetahs clash but fail to go top

Sydney (AFP) – The New South Wales Waratahs missed a chance to go top of the Australian Super Rugby conference when they beat the Central Cheetahs 21-6 in Sydney on Saturday.

The Waratahs needed a bonus point win to go ahead of the ACT Brumbies, but fell just short in an error-ridden clash.

The home side scored two tries to none and thought they had a third, which would have secured the bonus point, when Israel Folau crossed in the corner right on full time.

But the television match official ruled that NSW captain Michael Hooper had thrown a forward pass in the lead up and the try was disallowed.

“It was a tough game, back and forth, back and forth,” Hooper said.

“But we shut them out and had no tries scored against us for the first time this year, so it was a really huge effort in that regard.”

The Waratahs always looked in control against a disappointing Cheetahs, who made five changes to the side that lost to Queensland last week.

Three of those were in the front row, but that move backfired as the Cheetahs scrum struggled badly throughout the first half.

The visitors opened the scoring after just three minutes with a penalty to Fred Zeilinga, but the Waratahs hit back with two of their own from Bernard Foley.

Despite being under huge pressure the Cheetahs were hanging in for much of the first half, but two tries in seven minutes to winger Reece Robinson and Foley put the home side in control at the break 18-6.

Foley kicked his third penalty three minutes after the restart and the Waratahs looked like running away with the match.

But NSW appeared to fatigue badly after flying home from South Africa during the week and they couldn’t secure the crucial third try.

Cheetahs captain Francois Venter said his young team was building for next year.

“I’m proud of the guys, they were always fighting hard,” he said.

“There’s a lot of our guys who are on tour for the first time. It’s always difficult to travel and we must adapt for next year.

“We’re still building a team and hopefully we can do better.”