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WA BEGIN SOUTHERN STATES CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE DEFENCE WITH 39-7 VICTORY
By Elise Goodin on Sat 21st February 15
Western Australia has started their Southern States Championship campaign with a 39-7 victory over NSW Country in Adelaide today.
WA started well, gaining possession from their own kick off and immediately putting pressure on the NSW Country defence. The Country side found themselves down to 14 men when they received a yellow card less than two minutes into the game for back-chatting the referee.
Nick Jooste put WA on the board when further pressure on the country side forced a penalty and he slotted the goal.
A poor kick receipt by the Perth side lead to NSW Country attacking the WA line and took the 7-3 lead with a try in the ninth minute. WA kicked into gear and started to control the game with some very good tactical kicking.
Nili Fielea took back the lead for WA with a great run through the Country’s defence and with Jooste conversion they were ahead 10-7.
The remainder of the half saw WA in control with tries to Hayden Anderson and Jean-Charl Smith which were both converted by Jooste. Auega Seumanatafu was strong on the ball and earned a penalty with five minutes on the clock which Jooste had no trouble slotting to take the half-time score to 27-7 in WA’s favour.
Country came out stronger in the second half by controlling possession and gaining momentum to prevent WA from playing their game plan
After 20 minutes of a rugby arm-wrestle, WA crossed again through captain Riley Winter before Carl Fitzpatrick crossed in the 31st minute. Tim Koiatu converted the latter and WA ran out 39-7 victors.
WA will take on the ACT on Monday, 23 February and Victoria on Wednesday, 25 February.
- See more at: http://www.rugbywa.com.au/article/wa....16gNWZsW.dpuf