Rebels 9
Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau almost knocked himself out as the NSW Waratahs notched a vital 28-9 victory over the Melbourne Rebels in their Super Rugby clash tonight.
Polota-Nau collided heavily with the knee of Rebels fullback Julian Huxley in a tackle gone wrong in the 56th minute.
He was unable to finish the match, escorted from the field in a groggy state, and the injury-ravaged Waratahs will be hoping he doesn't miss any more football through concussion.
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NSW were more thankful star five-eighth Berrick Barnes made a successful comeback from five weeks out after suffering two heavy head knocks himself this season.
Barnes survived 74 minutes before receiving a well-earned early shower after a controlled display that enabled the Waratahs to dominate field position for most of the game.
The Tahs also needed the reliable goalkicking of fullback Kurtley Beale and late tries to flanker Dave Dennis and lock and man-of-the-match Dean Mumm to keep the spirited Rebels at bay.
The visitors threatened a major boilover when they edged to within a point of NSW early in the second half with Huxley's third penalty goal.
The Waratahs were made to work hard for a 10-6 halftime advantage after encountering a far more committed Rebels outfit to the tournament debutants they trounced 43-0 in the opening match of the season.
Polota-Nau powered over for the only try of the half in the 12th minute, with Beale converting for a 7-0 lead.
Huxley penalty goals in the 17th and 22nd minutes kept Melbourne in touch before Beale replied shortly after to give the Waratahs their tenuous four-point buffer at the break.
Beale gave the Waratahs some breathing space at 16-9 with two further penalty goals midway through the second half before Dennis crashed over in the 72nd minute and Mumm capped an outstanding captain's knock with a five-pointer on the bell.
The victory ended a two-game losing run and kept the seventh-placed Waratahs in touch with the top six after 11 rounds of the competition.
NSW Waratahs 28 (David Dennis, Dean Mumm, Tatafu Polota-Nau tries Kurtley Beale 2 cons 3 pens) bt Melbourne Rebels 9 (Julian Huxley 3 pens) at Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: Jonathan Kaplan. Crowd: 20,120.
- AAP
