Since first meeting back in 1882, the Tahs have had the wood on the Reds with a 185 win -92 loss -12 draw record, however Queensland’s record is stronger in the professional era.
In Super Rugby competition, the Reds hold a 8 win -5 loss -1 draw record, however NSW is currently on a five-match winning streak started in 2005.
These two sides have already met in a trial match at Oakes Oval, Lismore in January, with the Reds prevailing by two points.
On that occasion, 13 Queensland players who are lining up in tonight’s 22-man squad took part, while only seven of NSW’s round one selections took the field in Lismore.
Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Sosene Anesi and Cam Jowitt are all set to make their NSW debuts from the starting XV, while Kane Douglas and Rory Sidey could make the NSW and Super Rugby Debuts from the bench.
Weather: 22C-31C. Mostly fine, just the chance of a light shower.
Match detail
We are waiting for the kick off.
The match is underway.
1.00: The Waratahs start well and Berrick Barnes tries to silence the crowd with a drop goal but misses.
4.00: The Reds looks to keep it close and tight. The Tahs turn it over and boot downfield. Lachie Turner chases and goes like lightning. He gets to the ball but as he is travelling at such pace he fails to dot the ball down and just misses scoring the try. We go upstairs to check. No try. 22 drop out.
5.00: Iaone breaks for the Reds but Turner catches him. The ball changes sides and the Reds get chargedown but it just goes out.
6.00: It's very early stages but the Reds look more composed this season. McKenzie could be on to something.
8.00: Reds and Waratahs still struggling to hold on to the ball.
11.00: The Waratahs give away a penalty so Quade Cooper takes the shot at goal and misses.
13.00: Both teams are enjoying some good field position but neither team has managed to turn it into points. It's fairly even.
16.00: Waratahs work the ball up to within 5m and then Polota-Nau breaks free to score but loses the ball forward.
18.00: Waratahs keep the pressure on and set up camp about 10m out. The drive and drive again but the Reds keep them out. Barnes has had enough so he nails the drop goal.
20.00: The Reds fire back. Ioane dodges, weaves and gets them over the advantage line and they recycle quickly, Cooper sends out a long pass to Daniel Braid who scores the first try.
21.00: Quade Cooper nails the conversion using an entirely new and twisted kicking technique.
23.00: Reds still on attack. The take the ball to the air and chase but the Tahs defence is good.
25.00: Phil Waugh is so pumped he looks like he is on WWF rallying his troops. The Waratahs find some space behind the Reds as Drew Mitchell sets up a 5m line out.
30.00: Waratahs again set up camp in the Reds 25. The Waratahs scrum looks strong but the Reds steal the ball and try to run it out. They hit a wall and choose to use the boot. Cooper does not find touch but as the Tahs run it back they win a penalty.
32.00: Berrick Barnes takes the shot at goal and nails the penalty.
34.00: The Reds win a penalty so they kick for touch. It sets up a Reds line out 6m into the Tahs half. The line out is not straight but they get away with it. They run the ball wide and it earns them a penalty.
36.00: Cooper takes the shot and strikes it well - it's there. The Reds seem to have a little extra spring in their step.
37.00: The Reds get caught offside this time its Higginbotham. Barnes kicks for posts. Much to the crowd's pleassure...he misses.
40.02: The siren goes.
It's half time.
The half time score was Reds 10 Waratahs 6
The second half is underway.
41.00: The Reds start the second half like they are on fire. They run the ball up to the tryline but then lose it. A 5m scrum follows. Reds win the scrum and Cooper snipes, Reds recycle and drive over the line. They get held up.
43.00: The Reds win another scrum and they go to the near side, one players goes, another one and then Horwill drives over and he scores! Horwill injures Palu in the process.
44.00: Cooper misses the conversion.
45.00; Waratahs fight back. They run the ball into the Reds 25. They get stopped and then get called back for a penalty. Barnes takes the kick and gets it.
48.00: The Reds win a penalty so Cooper takes the shot from well out and he nails it.
50.00: Ball fumbles start to sneak into the Waratahs game as the pressure starts to build. Drew Mitchell does some good ball chasing work but the Tahs are still on the backfoot.
52.00: Berrick Barnes gives the Waratahs something to smile about with a penalty goal.
54.00: The Reds however surge again and Horwill drives forward. They set up the attack in the 25 and string the phases together. After 8 phases Cooper snatches a drop goal.
57.00: It's all the Reds at this stage of the game. We have a break for some blood injuries but its all one way traffic.
60.00: The Reds appear to be avoiding scrums where they can. They give away a penalty so Barnes takes the kick.
61.00: Barnes kick is good and it cuts the lead.
61.00; Will Genia makes a break and it takes the Reds well intothe Waratahs 25. They swing to the right but drop the ball in the tackle.
62.00: All of the Waratahs points have been scored by Berrick Barnes and now he is limping off. Daniel Halangahu comes on to replace him. Reds have a 5m scrum but the Waratahs clear the ball.
65.00: The Waratahs work the ball up through the middle of the field. Kurtley Beale gets taken out without the ball which earns a penalty for the Waratahs. Halangahu takes the kick and slots it.
67.00: The Reds are starting to look a little tired and are fading a bit.
69.00: Wow ! Will Genia gets the ball out the back of the scrum. He fires off and bolts half the field, kicks and chases the ball, he also gets taken out by Ben Mowen without the ball so a penalty try is awarded.
70.00: Quade Cooper bangs over the conversion.
71.00: Pressure and frustration gets to the Tahs and they kick the ball out on the full from the restart.
72.00: Lachie Turner makes a terrific break after a Turinui kick. He slides over the line but two other Reds players push him out just in time.
72.00:The Waratahs win a line out and spread the ball wide to an unmarked Rory Sidey who pops over the line to score for the Waratahs on his debut.
73.00; Halangahu misses the conversion.
74.00; Dean Mumm gets shown a yellow card for reckless play.
76.00; The Waratahs boot the ball downfield as they want to play the game in the Reds half. The Reds boot it out.
77.00: The Waratahs win a penalty so they choose the line out and kick for touch. Waratahs are hungry now. They want this.
78.00: The pressure starts to work and the Reds give away a penalty in front of the posts. The Tahs take it quick but they get called back as the Reds did not retreat. They go again and Palu dives over under the posts !!!! Try.
80.00: Daniel Halangahu converts the try as the hooter goes. The Waratahs snatch victory from the fire.
The full time is Reds 28 Waratahs 30
Scorers
Reds
Tries - Daniel Braid, James Horwill, Penalty try
Pen - Quade Cooper 2
Con - Quade Cooper 2, Drop - Quade Cooper
Tries - Daniel Braid, James Horwill, Penalty try
Pen - Quade Cooper 2
Con - Quade Cooper 2, Drop - Quade Cooper
Waratahs
Tries - Rory Sidey, Wycliff Palu
Pen - Berrick Barnes 4,Daniel Halangahu
Con - Daniel Halangahu
Drop - Berrick Barnes.
Cards - 74 Yellow Dean Mumm
Tries - Rory Sidey, Wycliff Palu
Pen - Berrick Barnes 4,Daniel Halangahu
Con - Daniel Halangahu
Drop - Berrick Barnes.
Cards - 74 Yellow Dean Mumm
Match Officials
Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)
Ass. Refs: Paul Marks (Aus), Stephen Hill (Aus)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Aus)
Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)
Ass. Refs: Paul Marks (Aus), Stephen Hill (Aus)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Aus)
Teams
Reds :Peter Hynes (GPS), Digby Ioane (Sunnybank), Morgan Turinui (Sunshine Coast), Anthony Faingaa (Souths), Rod Davies (GPS), Quade Cooper (Souths), Will Genia (Norths), Scott Higginbotham (Wests), Daniel Braid (Sunshine Coast), James Horwill (University), Van Humphries (Souths), Adam Byrnes (University), Laurie Weeks (University), Sean Hardman (Brothers), Ben Daley (Gold Coast).
Reserves: Saia Faingaa (Souths), James Slipper (Gold Coast), Ezra Taylor (University), Andrew Shaw (Brothers), Richard Kingi (Sunnybank), Tim Walsh (TBC), Will Chambers (TBC).
Waratahs: 15. Sosene Anesi* (TBA) , 14. Lachie Turner (Eastwood) , 13. Tom Carter (Sydney University) , 12. Kurtley Beale (Northern Suburbs) , 11. Drew Mitchell* (Balmain) , 10. Berrick Barnes* (TBA) , 9. Luke Burgess (Sydney University) , 8. Wycliff Palu (Manly) , 7. Phil Waugh [c] (Sydney University) , 6. Dean Mumm (Sydney University) , 5. Cam Jowitt*^ (Manly) , 4. Will Caldwell (Sydney University) , 3. Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs) , 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta) , 1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood)
Reserves , 16. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood) , 17. Sekope Kepu (Randwick) , 18. Kane Douglas*^ (Southern Districts) , 19. Ben Mowen (Randwick) , 20. Josh Holmes (Warringah) , 21. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University) , 22. Rory Sidey*^ (West Harbour)
* Waratahs Debut
^ Super Rugby Debut
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