Waratahs secure home semi with no frills win
There was no fairytale farewell for QR Reds flanker David Croft as the Waratahs achieved their objective of securing a home semi-final win with a no frills 18-11 win over the QR Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
The Waratahs retained the Bob Templeton Cup with the win, which was a disappointing farewell for QR Reds veteran David Croft and other retiring or departing players in the side like Sam Cordingley, Stephen Moore and Andrew Walker.
However Croft said afterwards he remained confident the team was in good hands and it was now time for the younger players in the squad to step up.
Before the match injured fullback Chris Latham gave his farewell to the crowd and afterwards Croft spent almost an hour working his way around the perimeter signing autographs and posing for photos with fans.
A win was all that was necessary for the Waratahs and they secured it with their two tries to one defeat of the Reds, who finally earned some reward for their never-say-die spirit when Peter Hynes scored well after the final hooter had sounded.
With no hope of winning, the Reds could simply have kicked the ball dead for an early start to their end of season break but they maintained possession and kept probing until centre Morgan Turini found space and set up the try with a clever kick to Hynes' wing.
The Waratahs dominated field position in the first half by constant use of the kick, supported by their strong lneout and a scrum that gained the ascendancy until the Reds were able to counter their tactics at the engagement.
The Reds played all the rugby in the second half but could not rein in the visitors, who would have led by more had Kurtley Beale not missed four of five shots at goal.
Reds inside centre Berrick Barnes, who put in another standout performance in defence, snapped a second half field goal to narrow the Waratahs' lead to 12-6, but two Beale penalties from in front set the seal on the result.
WARATAHS 18 (Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu tries, Kurtley Beale con 2 pens) def QR REDS 11 (Peter Hynes try, Clinton Schifcofske pen, Berrick Barnes drop goal) at Suncorp Stadium. Crowd: 27,688.
