Waratahs vs Blues takes: Harvey steps up, Blues are ‘a major threat’

The Blues have extended their winning streak in Super Rugby Pacific to three matches, scoring 27 unanswered points to complete a remarkable 35-20 comeback against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday evening.

Finlay Christie scored the opener in just the second minute but the Waratahs were otherwise a dominant force during the opening 40, with rookie Sid Havey getting plenty of ball in space along the right sideline.

Harvey converted a 43rd-minute penalty attempt to extend the Tahs’ lead to 12 before the Blues began to fight their way back. Former All Blacks Sevens flyer Cody Vai, AJ Lam (double) and Torian Barnes all got on the scoresheet as the visitors secured a winning bonus point.

This could’ve been a very different game

Sid Harvey and Jack Debrcezeni were prolific for the Waratahs during the first half, as the home side dominated both the territory (71%) and possession (64%) battles. Tom Lambert scored in the final play of the half as the Tahs went into the sheds up by 11, but it could’ve been more.

Christie opened the scoring in the second minute, but the visitors only managed another three points before the break. As for New South Wales, they gave themselves plenty of opportunities to strike during the opening 40, but Debreczeni and Lambert were the only try-scorers.

But there were at least another four try-scoring opportunities for the Tahs.

Harvey was stopped one metre shy of the line in the 11^th minute, before the Super Rugby Pacific rookie almost sent Harry Potter over later on. The Tahs and Wallabies winger couldn’t quite reel in the ball within the in-goal.

Debreczeni created a point-scoring opportunity from nothing, chipping ahead and regathering, courtesy of the bounce of the rugby ball. The fly-half attempted to shovel the ball onto Harvey, but the pass failed to hit the mark.

Another try-scoring opportunity went begging for the Waratahs just before half-time, with Harvey putting in a right-footed grubber ahead for George Poolman. Unfortunately for the home side, the bounce was just a bit too unkind as Poolman failed to gather possession.

If the Tahs had scored tries in even two of those four instances, this would’ve been a very different match at Allianz Stadium. But if you’re a Tahs fans, there were still very good signs from a backline without Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway and Triston Reilly.

The Blues show they’re “a major threat”

Sid Harvey converted a penalty attempt in the 43^rd minute as the Waratahs extended their lead to 12 points. The Tahs had dominated both the possession and territory battles during the opening 40 and appeared to be on their way to a win at home.

But the Blues didn’t throw in the towel. With first five-eighth Beauden Barrett steering the ship as the chief playmaker, the Blues piled on 27 unanswered points to not only secure a remarkable comeback win but to claim a bonus point too.

Cody Vai started the fightback with another try in Super Rugby Pacific, as the former All Blacks Sevens flyer continues to impress at this level. That made it a one-score game before AJ Lam crossed for his first soon after.

Barrett converted that effort to bring the two teams level, and the Blues weren’t done there. The No. 10 nailed a penalty attempt, Lam completed a double, and replacement Torian Barnes wrapped up the bonus point with a final play try.

The Blues started their season with a tough defeat to the Chiefs but have since gone 4-1, including this win over the Waratahs. They are second on the standings, with the Hurricanes boasting the same record but they have one more bonus point.

“They showed their quality, their class and how they are a major threat in this competition,” Morgan Turinui said post-game on Stan Sport.

Sid Harvey belongs in the Waratahs’ starting side

Sid Harvey is one of the most exciting rising stars to come out of both the Australia Sevens and the Australia U20s systems in recent years. At just 20 years of age, Harvey’s rugby CV is already incredible and it seems destined to one day include a Wallabies cap.

Harvey debuted on the HSBC SVNS Series during the 2024/25 season, going on to score the match-winner against Fiji at the Hong Kong Sevens. After returning to 15s with the Australia U20s, Harvey nailed a sideline conversion to seal a draw with traditional rivals New Zealand U20s.

That’s not all.

The outside back was sensational for the Tahs during the inaugural Super Rugby AUS campaign, which ended with a championship. Coach Dan McKellar included Harvey in the Tahs’ Super Rugby Pacific squad, selecting the young gun to debut earlier this month.

Harvey debuted against the Hurricanes, earned a maiden start against the Queensland Reds last week, and was moved to fullback to face the Blues. The No. 15 was prolific during the opening 40 in particular, running for a game-high 80 meters.

“He’s looking really good. We’ve said this week after week after week now… he looks like he’s got time, he’s got pace,” former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said on Stan Sport.

“Got a really complete skillset and looks like he just wants to compete, wants to be in every play.”

Harvey was involved in multiple try-scoring opportunities during the first half, kicked off both feet in general play, and was accurate off the goal-kicking tee. While Harvey kicked the ball out on the full early in the second term, that was a minor blemish on an otherwise promising performance.