RECAP: The NSW Waratahs have fought their way back for a 29-14 win over Moana Pasifika.
It came after players were forced off the field for nearly 45 minutes due to lightning.
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The Waratahs trailed for the majority of the first half, with Moana Pasifika motivated to perform after a tough week saw their future in Super Rugby all but confirmed.
Isaac Kailea scored after the break to put the hosts in front, with Sid Harvey's second coming right before the delay.
Folau Fainga'a's last minute try wrapped up full points in an unconvincing performance that keeps them firmly in finals contention.
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Waratahs 27-14: Folau Fainga'a does what he does best, diving over at the back of the maul.
It's a massive try that secures full points for the Waratahs, vital for their finals hopes.
Waratahs 22-14: The Waratahs are home here but they are still hunting for a bonus point.
No way through initially but they have advantage, kicking for the line.
Waratahs 22-14: Max Jorgensen's break nearly creates something out of nothing for the Waratahs.
Jorgensen sparks the hosts with a great break, with the ball back inside intercepted by the visitors.
Waratahs 22-14: Moana Pasifika have surged back inside the Waratahs 22 despite a clear knock-on it seemed from the visitors.
It allows them back on the attack, working with advantage as the Tahs defence holds strong, backing this up by holding them up over the line a minute later.
Waratahs 22-14: Moana Pasifika have come out the better side after the break, turning the ball over and attacking inside the 22.
Sid Harvey comes up with the clutch turnover ten metres out as they clear their line
Waratahs 22-14: We're back underway with Sid Harvey's conversion sailing away to the right.
There's just over ten minutes to go in this game.
We've got sight of life on the field as Moana Pasifika return to the field for their warm-ups.
The Waratahs are shown on the telecast going through the motions in their expanded dressing room, coming out on the field moments later.
Looks like the game will be closer to 9:56 pm return as the rain has all but disappeared at the ground.
Warm-ups are set for 9:46 pm, before play resumes shortly afterwards.
We're hunting towards a 9:46 pm (AEST) return to play as the teams wait it all.
The play will begin with Sid Harvey's attempt at conversion from the sideline.
If it makes any feel better, it's a similar story next door at the AFL with the Sydney-GWS game also delayed due to the strikes.
The radar shows it's going away from the stadium.
Both teams are now coming off for lightning as the referee pulls both sides from the field.
The rain is minimal but it's been spotted in the area and we're coming off.
A reminder on protocol: play can resume after 30 minutes without lightning in the area, with players likely to do a quick warm-up beforehand.
Waratahs 22-14: Sid Harvey dives over in the corner for a crucial try for the hosts.
Jack Debreczeni floats the ball to the fullback after they get the advantage, with the young gun making no mistake
Waratahs 17-14: Moana Pasifika put together a nifty double kick as they hunt for points.
Patrick Pellegrini grubbers for Tuna Tuitama, but he puts it into touch out on the full.
Waratahs 17-14: The Waratahs are slowly re-gaining momentum as they grind down the visitors.
They build off a Moana knock on with a scrum penalty, allowing themselves to put the kick for touch ten out.
But again, they mess themselves up with poor handling, allowing Moana Pasifika to gain massive territory.
Waratahs 17-14: Moana Pasifika are keeping themselves in this game down a man.
They've won back-to-back penalties to launch inside the Waratahs 22, but can't hang onto the ball five metres out as they drop it, with the rain now properly coming down.
Waratahs 17-14: Finally, the Waratahs are over the line as they get over the line through replacement Isaac Kailea.
It's double trouble for Moana Pasifika as the Waratahs crossed with the penalty advantage, forcing Angus Mabey to sin bin Tom Savage after five straight on their line.
Moana 14-12: The Waratahs remain camped on the visitors line as they hunt for a way through.
A forward pass stops their attack for now, but there's penalty advantage as they'll opt for a scrum.
Another attack is stopped by the visitors, with referee Angus Mabey giving a warning after another penalty against Moana.
Moana 14-12: A rough start from the Waratahs as they drop the ball to begin the second half.
Moana Pasifika earn a penalty five out and opt for a set play tap, but they drop it as the drizzle starts to settle in.
Moana 14-12: The Waratahs have built several phases inside the visitors half as they try to breach the try-line before the break.
But Moana Pasifika hold tough, winning the ruck penalty three metres from their line.
Moana 14-12: Moana Pasifika have really opened this game as the Waratahs try to keep up.
There's a plethora of chip kicks and wild passes from both sides as the game breaks down.
Moana 14-12: Moana Pasifika slice through and look a serious threat, forcing a desperate clearance from the Waratahs.
The visitors are winning the kicking battle, with William Havili's boot red hot.
Moana 14-12: Sid Harvey produces an unbelievable finish in the corner for the strike back.
Harvey launches his body over the corner posts and plants it down after Jake Gordon sparks the chance with a gutsy break.
Further boost for the Tahs as Max Jorgensen returns from his HIA, with Lawson Creighton done for the night.
Moana 14-7: Further frustrations for the Waratahs as Matt Philip is held up over the line.
The lock tries to fight his way over and comes up confident, but the referee rules otherwise.
Moana 14-7: Melani Matavao gets his second and Moana Pasifika have restored their lead.
Matavao is clearly in front of the mark when he takes the tap but it doesn't matter, and this try stands
7-all: Triston Reilly glides over for the Waratahs and this one is going to stay on the board.
The numbers prove too much as Joey Walton finds his makeshift midfield partner for the easiest of five-pointers.
Moana 7-0: Pete Samu costs through the hole for an easy try, but it's all too easy.
There's a reason for that: Dan Botha clears the Moana defender well past the breakdown illegally.
Max Jorgensen comes from the field for an HIA, joining Lawson Creighton off for tests
Moana 7-0: The Waratahs are their worse enemy early as they keep coughing up the ball in key positions.
A smart switchback opens space 25 metres out, with the ball lost a phase later
Moana 7-0: Former Rebel and Moana Pasifika winger Glen Vaihu is off for ten after a high shot on Lawson Creighton right at the line.
The NSW Waratahs are looking for an instant response after back-to-back penalties against the visitors, with the tackle head-on-head.
Moana Pasifika survive for now, shutting down the five metre maul to cause the turnover.
Moana 7-0: Moana Pasifika have opened the scoring and it's Melani Matavao that catches them napping.
The scrumhalf taps quick after a penalty 15 metres out, reaching out to find the chalk.
Lawson Creighton kicks off for the Waratahs and this game is officially underway, with the Waratahs gifted an early chance for points as the visitors cough it up at the base of the ruck.
They press inside their 22, but a poor pass allows the visitors to escape for now.
Moana Pasifika have laid down the challenge, delivering the Mana Moana Ala Mai pre-game for the first time in a long time.
Tries: Reilly, Harvey 2, Kailea, Fainga'a
Cons: Harvey 2/5
Pens:
Tries: Matavao 2
Cons: Pellegrini 2/2
Pens:
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the NSW Waratahs - Moana Pasifika clash in Sydney.
It's a big game for both sides, with the Waratahs looking to keep in touch with the top six. Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika are looking to put a tough week behind them, with the future all but decided.
We're also on Royal watch, with Prince Harry and Meghan in the box a couple doors down from the media centre.
Both sides are unchanged from Wednesday's team list.
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Angus Scott-Young, Charlie Gamble, Pete Samu, Jake Gordon, Jack Debreczeni, Max Jorgensen, Lawson Creighton, Joey Walton, Andrew Kellaway, Sid Harvey
Replacements: Folau Fainga'a, Isaac Kailea, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Clem Halaholo, Jamie Adamson, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly
MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Veikoso Poloniati, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Melani Matavao, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Jimmy Tupou, Ola Tauelangi, Jonathan Taumateine, Faletoi Peni, Tyler Pulini
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant Referees: Mike Winter, Ben Woolerton
TMO: Aaron Paterson
The Waratahs' clash with Moana Pasifika will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.
