SYDNEY - The NSW Waratahs snapped a two-game losing streak and put the ACT Brumbies' Super 12 title defence in jeopardy with an uninspiring 10-6 win at Canberra Stadium last night.
It was the Waratahs' first Super 12 win at Canberra Stadium and a fourth consecutive loss for the Brumbies.
Despite its five-star billing the reality failed to live up to the hype, both sides committing the gamut of errors from kicking out on the full to silly forward passes and turnovers in attacking situations.
It was a physical but mistake-riddled 80 minutes with Waratahs five-eighth Lachlan MacKay scoring the only try of the match after 23 minutes.
After a break from centre Morgan Turinui, Lote Tuqiri's deep kick drove Brumbies fullback Mark Gerrard back over his in-goal line.
From the resulting five-metre scrum, MacKay, who is expected in the next few days to make a decision on whether he'll stay with the Waratahs or go to the new Perth Super 14 franchise, sliced through George Gregan and Matt Giteau to score untouched.
Mat Rogers' conversion made it 7-3 after Giteau's penalty goal in the 14th minute.
But the Waratahs could not capitalise any further on some brutal defence -- particularly by centre Nathan Grey -- and hard running to the line by MacKay.
The Brumbies played a smart game by opting for quick taps instead of going to the lineout but rarely threatened to bust the visitors' line.
A Rogers penalty goal after 46 minutes became the only points of the second half as neither side could build up enough phase play to pressure the opposition.
Another win should almost ensure the Waratahs of just their second Super 12 semifinals appearance and the Brumbies slip further away from the top four.
Both teams have a bye next week.
- AAP
Waratahs win first game in Canberra
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