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<blockquote data-quote="nik" data-source="post: 48268"><p>Talent-rich NSW gave Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie some selection problems as his Super 14 team defeated a star-studded Blues combination 28-21 in a trial match at Central Coast Stadium.</p><p></p><p>The Waratahs scored three tries to two and actually expanded their 13-7 lead in the second half when the Blues fielded their stronger line-up.</p><p></p><p>The visitors fielded ten All Blacks in the second half, but made few in roads against an NSW combination which included just five Wallabies.</p><p></p><p>Prize NSW recruit Wendell Sailor had few opportunities on the wing during the first half, but displayed neat footwork on the occasions he got the ball and also came infield looking for work.</p><p></p><p>It was the Waratahs' second straight trial win following their 21-5 conquest of the Brumbies last week, while the Blues, coached by former Brumbies mentor David Nucifora slipped to another defeat following a loss to Queensland last week.</p><p></p><p>Fullback Peter Hewat gave NSW a 3-0 lead with an early penalty, but the Blues hit back with a converted try to halfback John Senio.</p><p></p><p>NSW retaliated through a try to centre Morgan Turinui off a pass from five-eighth Sam Norton-Knight.</p><p></p><p>Hewat added the only points of the second quarter with a 47 metre penalty after the siren.</p><p></p><p>The Waratahs' second half line-up started in perky fashion, with Rocky Elsom, who had been switched from flanker to lock, crossing off a pass from young fullback Daniel Halangahu.</p><p></p><p>All Blacks speedster Joe Rokocoko squeezed over in the left hand corner to help cut the deficit to six points.</p><p></p><p>However a Tim Donnelly penalty and a try to Stephen Hoiles gave the Waratahs an imposing 28-14 lead.</p><p></p><p>The only score of the final quarter was a try after the fulltime siren to inside centre Luke McAllister who converted his own five-pointer.</p><p></p><p>While NSW looked lively in the third quarter it spent much of the fourth under pressure, with its lineout not functioning smoothly.</p><p></p><p>After the game McKenzie was reluctant to nominate impressive youngsters, but lock Will Caldwell and Halangahu were among the less experienced members of the squad to turn in decent performances.</p><p></p><p>"We did better on the scoreboard in the second half, but we probably fell down technically speaking, particularly in the forwards with the lineouts and the kick-offs," McKenzie said.</p><p></p><p>"I think we started the second half well and looked good but we fizzled a little bit towards the end and they started getting repeated possession."</p><p></p><p>Asked about Sailor's impact on debut, McKenzie said: "It was difficult, he didn't have much ball, so when he did get it he was getting it with the opposition at the same time."</p><p></p><p>Former Queenslander Sailor said the Blues were probably the quickest team the Waratahs would play against and added he would probably continue to move into inside centre occasionally.</p><p></p><p>But wasn't getting carried away with the Waratah's pre-season success.</p><p></p><p>"I've won a lot of trials before with Queensland and it didn't really work (in the season proper)," Sailor said.</p><p></p><p>Nucifora said he thought his team had the better of the second and fourth quarters, whilst giving the Waratahs the upper hand in the first and third.</p><p></p><p>"They exposed us a couple of times in a few areas, which is good, that's what you want, you want to be exposed at this time of the year, all in all it was a very worthwhile performance from both teams," Nucifora said.</p><p></p><p>He added he wasn't disappointed with where the Blues were at as he had been pushing his players hard at training.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="nik, post: 48268"] Talent-rich NSW gave Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie some selection problems as his Super 14 team defeated a star-studded Blues combination 28-21 in a trial match at Central Coast Stadium. The Waratahs scored three tries to two and actually expanded their 13-7 lead in the second half when the Blues fielded their stronger line-up. The visitors fielded ten All Blacks in the second half, but made few in roads against an NSW combination which included just five Wallabies. Prize NSW recruit Wendell Sailor had few opportunities on the wing during the first half, but displayed neat footwork on the occasions he got the ball and also came infield looking for work. It was the Waratahs' second straight trial win following their 21-5 conquest of the Brumbies last week, while the Blues, coached by former Brumbies mentor David Nucifora slipped to another defeat following a loss to Queensland last week. Fullback Peter Hewat gave NSW a 3-0 lead with an early penalty, but the Blues hit back with a converted try to halfback John Senio. NSW retaliated through a try to centre Morgan Turinui off a pass from five-eighth Sam Norton-Knight. Hewat added the only points of the second quarter with a 47 metre penalty after the siren. The Waratahs' second half line-up started in perky fashion, with Rocky Elsom, who had been switched from flanker to lock, crossing off a pass from young fullback Daniel Halangahu. All Blacks speedster Joe Rokocoko squeezed over in the left hand corner to help cut the deficit to six points. However a Tim Donnelly penalty and a try to Stephen Hoiles gave the Waratahs an imposing 28-14 lead. The only score of the final quarter was a try after the fulltime siren to inside centre Luke McAllister who converted his own five-pointer. While NSW looked lively in the third quarter it spent much of the fourth under pressure, with its lineout not functioning smoothly. After the game McKenzie was reluctant to nominate impressive youngsters, but lock Will Caldwell and Halangahu were among the less experienced members of the squad to turn in decent performances. "We did better on the scoreboard in the second half, but we probably fell down technically speaking, particularly in the forwards with the lineouts and the kick-offs," McKenzie said. "I think we started the second half well and looked good but we fizzled a little bit towards the end and they started getting repeated possession." Asked about Sailor's impact on debut, McKenzie said: "It was difficult, he didn't have much ball, so when he did get it he was getting it with the opposition at the same time." Former Queenslander Sailor said the Blues were probably the quickest team the Waratahs would play against and added he would probably continue to move into inside centre occasionally. But wasn't getting carried away with the Waratah's pre-season success. "I've won a lot of trials before with Queensland and it didn't really work (in the season proper)," Sailor said. Nucifora said he thought his team had the better of the second and fourth quarters, whilst giving the Waratahs the upper hand in the first and third. "They exposed us a couple of times in a few areas, which is good, that's what you want, you want to be exposed at this time of the year, all in all it was a very worthwhile performance from both teams," Nucifora said. He added he wasn't disappointed with where the Blues were at as he had been pushing his players hard at training. [/QUOTE]
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