Sharks make undisciplined Tahs pay the price
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Sharks ended a two-decade-long drought in Sydney when they beat an illdisciplined Waratahs team 23-15 on Saturday.
It is the first time since March 2000 that the Sharks had managed to put one over the Waratahs in Australia.
It allowed them to go to the top of the South African conference – at least for a few hours, until the Stormers versus Bulls game in Cape Town a later in the day.
It was also the Waratahs’ third loss in six games at home this season.
It was a tight contest in the first half in Sydney, with the teams level at 10-all going into the half-time break.
However, the game took a dramatic turn early in the second half – the Waratahs reduced to 13 players and the Sharks down to 14.
Sharks prop Thomas du Toit was yellow-carded for a cynical foul (holding a player back) in the 46 minute
However, more significantly, Waratahs lock Jed Holloway was red-carded for his reaction – striking Du Toit with an elbow to the jaw.
Holloway is the first Waratahs player to be sent off since Pat O’Connor earned a red card for headbutting back in 2011.
And minutes later flank Jack Dempsey was sent to the sin bin for a spear tackle, allowing the visitors to wrest control of the game.
The Sharks dominated proceedings in a fractious second half, in which they had more than 80 percent of the territory in those crucial 20 minutes just after the break.
Centre Andre Esterhuizen charged over two minutes after the double card incident and Curwin Bosch’s conversion had the Sharks 17-10 ahead and with a one-man advantage for the best part of the last half hour.
There was no way back for the Tahs with Bosch putting the boot in with two further penalty goals to secure a priceless away win for the Durban outfit before Bernard Foley crossed for a consolation try after the full-time siren.
But, such was their match, Foley missed the conversion attempt from virtually in front, denying the Waratahs an important bonus point.
Dejected captain Michael Hooper rued another match that got away.
“It was really hard,” Hooper said.
“The Sharks played a really good possession game there, kept putting us down there.
“They took some shots at goal which ate up time. We let the lead get too far out.”
The stinging defeat comes a week after the Waratahs downed the Rebels to breath new life in the fight for Australian conference honours and a guaranteed finals berth.
Daryl Gibson’s Jekyll and Hyde side had stressed all week about the importance of stringing back-to-back victories together.
Alas, they will head to South Africa for potentially season-saving clashes with the Bulls and Lions – having won consecutive matches just once in 2019.
Man of the match: Kurtley Beale was the go-to man for the Waratahs, as he looked to create something for the home team. Michael Hooper and Michael Wells were the most productive on defence for the hosts. Jean-Luc du Preez shaded his brother Dan du Preez in the ‘contest’ as the Sharks’ most productive and physical player. Andre Esterhuizen was also powerful with ball in hand. Curwin Bosch relished a rare start at flyhalf for the Sharks and wins our award as the most influential player.
The scorers:
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Gordon, Foley
Con: Foley
Pen: Foley
For the Sharks:
Tries: D du Preez, Esterhuizen
Cons: Bosch 2
Pens: Bosch 3
Yellow cards: Thomas du Toit (Sharks, 46 – cynical foul, holding a player back), Jack Dempsey (Waratahs, 51 – foul play, spear tackle)
Red card: Jed Holloway (Waratahs, 46 – foul play, strike too the face)
SUPER RUGBY RECAP: Waratahs v Sharks
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Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Lachlan Swinton, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Alex Newsome.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain).
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.
Referee: Nicholas Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy (Australia), Amy Perrett (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
