Waratahs crush Blues

The Waratahs were convincing 37-16 winners of their Super 14 clash with the Blues in Sydney on Saturday.

The home side produced a workman like performance to deny the Blues any sort of decent possession. As the match went on the Waratahs' confidence grew as they ran in five tries for their first offensive bonus point this year.

The Blues just couldn't get going. Having seen only 25 per cent of the possession in the first-half they changed ends 18-8 down.

They managed to get their hands on the ball a little more in the second-half but their deficit obliged them to make some risky decisions which ended up compounding their worries.

Despite all the goings-on off the field concerning their coach, the Waratahs were well worth their win.

Ewen McKenzie has already received his marching orders and will leave at the end of the season because his bosses in New South Wales reckon the Waratahs' brand of rugby at the moment isn't exciting enough.

McKenzie's critics will not be able to deny the efficiency and effectiveness of the home team's play. They showed patience when needed and dealt some killer blows when the Blues made mistakes.

Yellow peril

So dominant were the 'Tahs that the Blues were forced to resort to some illegal tactics on the ground which eventually earned Keven Mealamu a yellow card for his side's constant infringements while off their feet.

Nick Evans had a rare off day, especially with the boot. The opposite was true for Waratahs fly-half Kurtley Beale who made sure that his side got full reward for their efforts by keeping the scoreboard ticking over and the home side out of the Blues' reach.

Captain Phil Waugh repaid his confidence when Benn Robinson crashed over to cap close to ten minutes of play that belonged entirely to the Waratahs.

Blues captain Troy Flavell got one back for the visitors a few minutes later after Nick Evans stepped around both Waratahs centres and kicked a perfectly weighted grubber ahead which left Lachie Turner isolated.

Prop Tatafu Polota-Nau rounded off the half with a great try, showing real pace for a front-rower as he galloped 30 metres on his own and left the Blues defence a little embarrassed.

Second half

The 'Tahs continued to grow in confidence in the second-half and when Polota-Nau's house-mate, Wycliff Palu, went over it was clear the team in light blue were the better side on the day.

Lote Tuqiri had made the hard yards to set-up Palu's try and he was rewarded with one of his own when he ran a perfect angle to earn the 'Tahs a bonus point.

A special mention must go to David Lyons who earned his 100th Super Rugby cap to complete a memorable day for the Sydney-siders.