Head coach Dan McKellar says the Waratahs were “squeezed to death” in a loss to the Force that dents their hopes of reaching the Super Rugby playoffs.
The Tahs were forced into making nearly 300 tackles during the 20-17 defeat in Sydney on Friday, leaving their backline stars with few opportunities to attack.
Australia international Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made his playing return after missing the last seven games with a hamstring injury but the outside centre rarely received the ball in space in a bruising contest.
Instead he and his teammates spent long periods on defence as the visitors camped in their half, capitalising on mistakes.
“We got squeezed to death, couldn’t get out of our end,” McKellar told reporters.
“Physically we were dominated in and around the ruck. They just came here with a pretty bland plan and it worked.
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“It’s disappointing that we didn’t start to fire a punch until we were down by 10 points.”
With the scores level 10-all at the interval, the Force took control through a second try to wing Dylan Pietsch and a penalty to flyhalf Ben Donaldson, giving him 10 points for the match.
The two former Tahs backs were among the best players for the visitors. A late try to forward Folau Fainga’a lifted McKellar’s team within three points of the lead.
However, they again struggled to get the ball into the hands of Suaalii and in-form outside backs Max Jorgensen and Sid Harvey in the closing minutes.
The Waratahs are eighth with four rounds remaining, one point ahead of the Force. Both teams have the same 4-6 win-loss record.
The Tahs are away to the Highlanders next week, while the Force, who have won three of their last four games, will meet the Brumbies in Canberra.
— AFP
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
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