The NSW Waratahs suffered a disheartening 35-20 defeat against the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific, securing an undesirable spot in historical records.
Inside the NSW coaches’ box, Dan McKellar visibly struggled to conceal his annoyance as his team, the Waratahs, squandered numerous opportunities to score tries in the initial half, subsequently relinquishing a 12-point advantage before a similarly dejected home crowd on Saturday evening in Sydney.
This third consecutive loss not only caused the Waratahs to drop out of the top six standings, a first for them this season, but it also marked the Blues’ record-setting 12th consecutive victory against a Super Rugby opponent, a feat unmatched in three decades.
The Waratahs faced an additional challenge when their outside centre was sidelined due to injury immediately before the match began, marking the second such instance in three games.
The withdrawal of Triston Reilly – occurring three weeks after Wallabies star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sustained a hamstring tear – necessitated Lawson Creighton joining Joey Walton in the midfield at Allianz Stadium.
Initially, the revised lineup proved effective; with Jack Debreczeni positioned at flyhalf, the Tahs largely maintained control in their opponents’ half for the majority of the first period, interrupted only by a second-minute try scored by Blues’ scrum-half Finlay Christie.
The Blues commendably managed to play with one less player for a ten-minute period after their number 8, Malachi Wrampling-Alec, received a yellow card for contacting Waratahs hooker Ethan Dobbin’s head with his shoulder.
Promising newcomer fullback Sid Harvey appeared poised to score after receiving a flick pass from Max Jorgensen; however, the Blues once more mounted a desperate defense to prevent the Tahs from scoring, particularly after Dobbin broke through the midfield and his unexpected chip kick bypassed Pete Samu.
Following Jake Gordon’s improbable hold-up over the try line, the Waratahs ultimately chose to score three points via Harvey, thereby registering their first points.
Match Summary 
Nevertheless, the host squad consistently pressured the Blues’ try line, though winger Harry Potter failed to secure a pass from Harvey precisely when he seemed assured of scoring.
Subsequently, Debreczeni squandered an excellent chance after recovering his own chip kick, only to misdirect the crucial final pass.
In a twist of fate, the Tahs finally secured a try via Debreczeni during the 32nd minute, after the Television Match Official (TMO) overlooked what seemed to be an undeniable knock-on by lock Miles Amatosero in the preceding play.
The TMO further sided with NSW by confirming that prop Dan Botha had grounded the ball following the halftime hooter, providing the Tahs with a 17-8 advantage at intermission.
An additional penalty from Debreczeni extended the home team’s lead to 12 points early in the second half, preceding the second-ranked Blues accumulating 27 consecutive points to clinch an unlikely bonus-point win.
