Ngani Laumape scored an 85th-minute try as the Hurricanes snatched a 38-37 win over the Sharks in Napier on Friday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
What heartbreak for the Sharks. For all money, it appeared as if the Durban-based side was set to pull off a remarkable victory after producing a performance of power and precision.
The Sharks had led 27-19 at the break, and by six points after the regulation 80 minutes, but the Canes simply refused to give up the fight, and launched one late charge that eventually saw Laumape go over for the match-winning try.
The defining moment proved to be the yellow-carding of Sharks replacement Franco Marais late in the game, which provided the Hurricanes with the numbers advantage at the decisive stage of an enthralling contest.
Yet, against all expectations, the Sharks’ season has come alive on their tour New Zealand. Despite this defeat, what’s become abundantly evident is that the Sharks have settled on their identity, which has been based around the direct, powerful running of their forwards, while backs such as Rob du Preez and André Esterhuizen have been in fine form.
It was clear that the Hurricanes missed the presence of star flyhalf Beauden Barrett – who was a late withdrawal from Friday’s clash – but they ultimately displayed the necessary composure when it mattered most to claim a thrilling victory.
The Canes had started the contest with a flourish and raced into a 12-3 after early tries Jordie Barrett and Laumape. At that point, it appeared as if the hosts’ superb handling and high-paced attack would be too much for the Sharks to handle.
However, the Sharks did very well to replicate the blueprint that worked so well against the Blues last weekend, with their forwards and particularly Esterhuizen carrying the ball strongly as they again dominated the collisions.
Quite deservedly, this physical superiority enabled the Sharks to come right back into the contest as Lukhanyo Am and Louis Schreuder both showed good strength to finish off two quickfire tries before the quarter-hour mark.
It left the Canes looking shell-shocked, and although they hit back with a try to Vince Aso against the run of play in the 31st minute, the Sharks had the final say of the half when Am dotted down to secure his brace and send his side into a handy 27-19 lead.
The half-time stats certainly painted a pretty picture for the Durban-based side, who had carried 332m compared to 183, while also beating 13 defenders to seven after enjoying as much as 64% of possession.
It was clear after the restart that the Canes were intent on establishing some much-needed territory and possession, and they did manage to cut the deficit to two points after a couple of penalties to Ihaia West.
It remained just a two-point ball game heading into the final 10 minutes, but a key moment appeared to come in the 74th minute when Curwin Bosch produced a beautiful weaving break to lay the platform for Tyler Paul to barge over for the Sharks’ fourth try.
That seemed certain to see the Sharks emerge as winners, but West slotted one more penalty before Laumape finished off the match-winning try as the Canes launched their final onslaught.
Hurricanes – Tries: Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape (2), Vince Aso. Conversions: Ihaia West (3). Penalties: West (4).
Sharks – Tries: Lukhanyo Am (2), Louis Schreuder, Tyler Paul. Conversions: Rob du Preez (4). Penalties: Du Preez (3).
Hurricanes – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Vince Aso, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Ihaia West, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Sam Henwood, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Chris Eves.
Subs: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Ben May, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Wes Goosen.
Sharks – 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Tyler Paul, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk.
Photo: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images
