Waratahs ‘strangled’ as injury crisis worsens

The Waratahs remain anchored to the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with their 10th loss of the season from 12 games.

The bonus-point win takes the Force a step closer to the top eight with two rounds remaining.

However, they have two really tough tasks taking on the Reds in round 14 in Brisbane and then hosting the Brumbies in round 15.

“They had a strangle on us,” said the Waratahs’ Hugh Sinclair.

“Their defensive breakdown was solid. They got in our face. They turned the ball over a lot and we just couldn’t string stuff together in attack.

“A credit to them, they played well. They’re always hard to beat over here. Full credit to them, they strangled us and played much better.

He added, “I felt like maybe we played a little too much in the middle there. That maybe gassed us a little bit.

“We spoke at half-time. We were just – whether it’s the travel – a bit lethargic. We were just too slow in the first half. We were moving way too slow and we just couldn’t put any pressure on. If you can’t do that, you’re going to get punished in Super Rugby.