GRIFFITH’S powerful back line proved too hot for Waratahs to handle as the premiers ran out 43-20 winners at the Coro Club Oval on Saturday.
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The two teams were evenly matched in the first half, with scores locked at 10-all at the break, before the Blacks potent backs started to fire as they ran in five unanswered second tries to score their fifth win of the season.
All the Blacks points were scored by their back line who have only been strengthened by the return of Semisi Rogoyawa.
Rogoyawa scored two tries off the bench in his first game back for Griffith after returning to the city after a stint playing rugby league.
Co-coach Nick Gleeson said the versatile back is much happier at home, but due to the Blacks depth of talent isn’t assured of a starting position.
“He’s only come back to the club in the last two weeks and came off the bench,” Glesson said.
“He’s obviously one of the best players in the competition and will welcome him back with open arms, but the way our back line has been playing at the moment it’s pretty hard to force someone out of the side.
“The backs are just killing it and its just a matter of our forwards winning the battle and our backs will hurt any team.”
The Blacks have adopted where they are looking for their forwards to get on top early to set a good platform for the backs in the second half.
It’s been working well so far this season, with Griffith’s only loss a narrow failure against Leeton, however Gleeson wants to ensure his team plays more disciplined rugby.
Giving away far too many penalties against a Waratahs team that is no stranger to the whistle themselves, discipline is one aspect Gleeson is looking to improve on.
“Being a bit too eager going into the ruck and stuff like that let us down a bit,” Gleeson said.
The loss is Waratahs third straight and they now face consecutive byes before taking on Temora.