The NSW Waratahs had a mixed day at Concord Oval defeating the West Harbour Pirates 27-5 while going down to the Western Sydney Two Blues 12-5 on a searing hot day in Sydney’s West.NSW Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman named a youthful side for the matches, with the majority of his squad rested for the upcoming round one clash against the Brumbies.The two matches gave his wider squad the opportunity to impress with several players putting their hands up and showing what they can offer the side in 2023.Teddy Wilson was a dangerous running threat throughout both matches, while Ben Dowling got through plenty of work, scored a try, and showed his versatility by finishing the match at scrumhalf.Mosese Tuipulotu continued his impressive pre-season form at outside-centre, while Nemani Nadolo got plenty of valuable playing time and match fitness out of his 60 minutes on the pitch.Darren Coleman’s side got off to a perfect start to the day with a 27-5, five tries to one, win over the Pirates.Thomas Maka got the opening try finishing off a rolling maul before the Wilson brothers grabbed a try each.Teddy Wilson scored through a sniping run ten metres out from the Pirates line, while older brother Harry finished off a nice backline move on the wing.Ben Dowling finished off the try of the day from a brilliant move down the short side instigated by Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen, while Nemani Nadolo finished off a simple overlap out wide for the final try of the match for the Waratahs.Reserve scrumhalf Deon Spice grabbed a late consolation try after the whistle for the Pirates.The second match of the day against the Two Blues ran to a different script, with the side from Western Sydney grabbing the first points through a powerful run in tight from former Waratah Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco.Hunter Ward levelled the scores for the Waratahs until the Two Blues grabbed the final try with ten minutes to go in the half through their reserve backrower McCarthy Cocker.The Two Blue’s defence held strong in the closing stages of the match for a well-earned 12-7 win.Waratah’s Head Coach Darren Coleman was happy with the hit out and the learnings it will provide the young players in his wider squad.“We’re really impressed with the new Concord facility, and it was fantastic to see such a great turnout of young kids at our clinic earlier in the day,” Coleman said.“On the footy front, as cliché as it is, it was a game of two halves.“I thought we did some really good things against Wests but some of our young players need to figure out how to play through fatigue in the second half.“Full credit to Parra, they had some big strong boys there that got the better of us, so I think both West Habour and Western Sydney are in for good seasons, and overall it was a great learning experience for our wider squad.”The Waratahs return home to Allianz Stadium next Friday 24th February for their Round one clash with the Brumbies.Click Here: sydney roosters team jersey
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