Waratahs' second-half collapse hands Blues record 12th straight win
The NSW Waratahs suffered a heavy 35-20 defeat to the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific, extending their opponents' record to 12 straight wins over Australian rivals. Despite a strong first half, the Waratahs collapsed after halftime, conceding 27 unanswered points. The loss marks their third in a row and drops them out of the top six for the first time this season.
The Waratahs began the match without outside centre Triston Reilly, who was ruled out injured just before kick-off. This forced a last-minute reshuffle in midfield, but flyhalf Jack Debreczeni stepped up early. His performance helped the team dominate territory in the opening 40 minutes.
Debreczeni also scored the Waratahs' first try in the 32nd minute after a contentious TMO call. By halftime, they led 17-8, with multiple missed chances leaving the scoreline closer than it could have been. The second half saw a dramatic collapse. The Blues overran the Waratahs, scoring 27 points without reply to seal a 35-20 victory. Captain Matt Philip later admitted the team failed to play for the full 80 minutes. He stressed the need to improve in the final 20 minutes, calling it a critical area for growth.
The defeat leaves the Waratahs facing a must-win clash against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra next. Their finals hopes now hinge on reversing this losing streak. Meanwhile, the Blues will turn their attention to a March 7 fixture against the Crusaders at Eden Park, following a mixed start to their season.
