Bernard Foley has picked the perfect time to score his first try of the Super Rugby season, snatching a thrilling 31-26 win for the NSW Waratahs over the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
Foley, the stand-in skipper while Michael Hooper is sidelined with a hamstring injury, gave his team the match-winning lead on Friday night when he intercepted a Billy Meakes pass and raced 50m to touch down.
The Rebels hammered the tryline in the final few minutes and had a lineout after the final siren but the Waratahs’ defence held firm to secure the crucial win.
Leading the Australian conference over the Rebels by one point before the match, the win gives the Waratahs some breathing space with two rounds to play before finals.
The home side will be kicking themselves after leading 26-17 midway through the second half and having all the running.
But an intercept by Kurtley Beale turned over the ball to set up a try for Ned Hanigan in the 69th minute before Foley’s intercept try three minutes later.
While the Rebels were also missing injured veteran halfback Will Genia with a broken arm, the Waratahs’ preparation was rocked with superstar fullback Israel Folau officially ruled out less than 24 hours before kick-off.
His appeal against a one-match suspension stemming from aerial contact in the last Test against Ireland was dismissed late on Thursday night.
NSW led 17-10 at halftime after they took advantage of Meakes given a yellow card for sticking his foot out from the breakdown into Nick Phipps pass.
In his absence Phipps found Beale, who sent the ball on to winger Taqele Naiyaravoro to level Folau’s NSW try-scoring record with his 12th for the season.
The Rebels came out firing in the second half with halfback Michael Ruru burrowing in for a try in the 44th minute.
A successful conversion and penalty kick three minutes later by Reece Hodge gave the home side the lead.
The Rebels dominated the second half, with Hodge keeping the scoreboard ticking over through penalties, but appeared to lose their way and Foley and co took full advantage.
