Reds 26-29 Waratahs: Tahs fight back to win Super Rugby derby
Last Updated: 29/04/17 3:17pm
Fly-half Bernard Foley kicked seven goals from eight attempts for 19 points as the Waratahs rallied to beat the Reds 29-26 in a tense Australian derby in Super Rugby on Saturday.
Foley landed five penalties and converted both of the Waratahs' tries as they came back from a 19-7 first-half deficit to beat the Reds for the seventh straight time.
The Reds led after early tries to full-back Karmichael Hunt, lock Lukhan Tui and rookie winger Izaia Perese.
The Waratahs rallied with tries to scrum-half Nick Phipps and to flanker Michael Hooper, cutting the lead to 19-17 at half-time.
Perese was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle in the last minute of the first half and in his absence Foley kicked the penalty that gave the Waratahs their first lead at 20-19.
The Reds regained the lead at 26-20 with a try to hooker Stephen Moore, but poor discipline allowed Foley to kick three late penalties to clinch the win.
"It was a massive contest, the crowd was into the game and it was great for rugby to still have such great rivalry in sport," Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper said.
"I am really proud of the guys for putting in that effort off a couple of tough weeks."
The win was crucial for the Waratahs as they aim to overhaul Australian conference leaders the Brumbies.
Queensland's poor discipline cost them dearly in conceding 16 penalties to give the Waratahs their chance.
"It's disappointing. We wanted to come out and do the Queensland fans proud, but we made too many silly mistakes and our ill-discipline piggy-backed them," Reds skipper Samu Kerevi said.