Waratahs remain resilient to the end to produce shock win over Chiefs
Waratahs scored three tries on their way to a shock 25-20 victory against play-off contenders Chiefs in Super Rugby.
Last Updated: 19/04/13 6:56pm
Michael Chieka's are now just one place below the play-off positions themselves after running out victorious in an fiercely contested clash at the Allianz Stadium.
The hosts took the lead in the first half through a success Brendan McKibbin penalty kick before debutant Cam Crawford slid over the line to score the first try of the match.
Adam-Ashley Cooper split the Chiefs defence before off-loading to 24-year-old winger Crawford who raced across to register his first Super Rugby try.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie was forced to introduce Gareth Anscombe mid-way through the first period with Andrew Horrell stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle.
The Waratahs extended their lead when a high kick off the back of the scrum was collected in mid-air by Israel Folau who crossed to give the home side a 15-point lead at the interval.
Waratahs second row Sitaleki Timani was sinned binned in the scrappy opening exchanges of the second period leaving the hosts a man down and vulnerable.
Replacement full-back Anscombe seized the advantage as he crossed to score the first Chiefs try before kicking his own conversion to put the visitors back in the game.
The Waratahs were allowed to re-establish their lead through a McKibbin penalty before Anscombe put the Chiefs in touching distance with two penalties in five minutes.
Having dominated possession for the majority of the second half the Chiefs were duly rewarded when Ben Tameifuna's try off the back of the scrum combined with Anscombe's conversion saw the visitors lead for the first time.
A resilient Waratahs refused to give up with five minutes left on the clock as John Ulugia took the initiative, crossing the line to score a third try for the hosts before McKibbin's conversion sealed a surpising 25-20 victory.
Victory sees the Waratahs elevated to seventh in the Super Rugby standings while defeat causes the Chiefs to lose a place as they slip into fifth position.
