Reds hold off tenacious Waratahs in driving Sydney rain

The Reds had to fight exceptionally hard in tough conditions before eventually getting the better of the Waratahs with a 20-16 victory in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at the Leichhardt Oval.

The visitors from Queensland suffered a blow before kick-off with the news that Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou had been ruled out of the contest with a back injury, while they also lost their captain and scrumhalf Tate McDermott just before half-time, but the reigning Super Rugby AU champs were still able to deliver when it counted to edge a tight contest and open the season with back-to-back victories.

The Reds were ahead inside two minutes following a Waratahs infringement at ruck time, with James O'Connor converting an early shot at goal.

The home side had a chance to hit back immediately with a penalty shot of their own after the Reds strayed offside, but Ben Donaldson couldn't find the target amid the persistent falling rain that would continue to fall for the entire match.

The Waratahs were definitely looking like the more enterprising of the two sides in the early stages, showing good continuity and control with ball in hand despite the adverse conditions.

When a Waratahs advance saw them get all the way to the Reds' line and earn a penalty, they opted for a scrum, and after several pick and drives, a long pass out wide found James Turner, who passed it back inside for Izaia Perese. The centre got his body over the whitewash but was held up by a superb effort from Tate McDermott.

Having turned down a penalty right in front, the Waratahs then decided to try their luck from 35 metres out, but the wind and the rain won the battle. The Reds were still in front despite seeing almost none of the ball, and when they got their first