Waratahs back in top six after drab victory over Blues

Bernard Foley has booted the NSW Waratahs back into Super Rugby’s top six on a night of comedy and melodrama at Allianz Stadium.

Two second-half penalty goals from Foley and a late try to replacement Peter Betham saved the Waratahs’ blushes in a drab 23-11 victory over the winless and last-placed Blues.

But there was no saving face for referee Jaco Peyper on Saturday night.

Disgruntled fans jeered and booed Peyper after the South African spent the last five minutes of the first half relentlessly resetting scrums as the Waratahs camped themselves on the Blues line.

Peyper then drew the big thumbs down and further mocking from the Waratahs faithful after rather unnecessarily waiting for security guards and police to escort him from the field to the sheds for the half-time interval.

Peyper’s reception was in stark contrast to countryman Jacques Potgieter’s.

Five days after being fined $20,000 by the ARU for making homophobic slurs in the Waratahs’ heated derby win over the Brumbies, Potgieter received a standing ovation after a typically wholehearted display.

Skipper Dave Dennis, who finished the game in the blood bin after copping an illegal high shot from Blues captain Jerome Kaino, and barnstorming lock Will Skelton also draw rapturous applause after the NSW forwards edged their New Zealand counterparts in a bruising encounter.

There was no sign of the dour spectacle to follow when Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps scored under the posts in the eighth minute after a polished set move and lovely short ball from Kurtley Beale to Michael Hooper from a line-out.

Hooper’s last pass to Phipps looked a touch forward but the TMO cleared it and Foley’s conversion made it 7-0.

Israel Folau and Beale, in particular, looked sharp, the forwards carried and hit with venom, and the Waratahs appeared up for the contest.

Wingers Taqele Naiyaravoro and Rob Horne were denied further tries in opposite corners in the space of 15 minutes after video replays confirmed Folau had spilt the ball in heavy traffic in the lead-up to both efforts.

As the hosts lost their sparkle and intensity, journeyman five-eighth Dan Bowden - in his first Super Rugby start in five years - slotted two penalty goals to reduce the Tahs’ lead to a point at the break.

The Blues briefly snatched a four-point advantage 15 minutes into the second half when powerful centre Francis Saili crashed over.

But Foley had the final say, his two penalties and the conversion of Betham’s strike enough to secure NSW’s fourth win from six outings in their title defence.