Leinster's second-half show floors Sharks
MATCH REPORT: Leinster surged clear after half-time to emerge with a 54-34 bonus-point victory from their thrilling encounter with the Sharks in Dublin.
A breathless six-try first half ended 21-20 in Leinster’s favour, the Sharks twice taking the lead but Garry Ringrose’s second score edging the hosts ahead.
Jason Jenkins and Aphelele Fassi traded early seven-pointers and the South Africans surged thanks to back-to-back efforts from Werner Kok and Thaakir Abrahams.
*To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!
Fassi and Abrahams went on to bag braces, but Leinster piled on the points, with Andrew Porter, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Russell, captain Johnny Sexton – who converted all bar one of the eight tries – and John McKee all crossing after the break.
Second-row Jenkins crashed over to give Leinster the ideal start, but the injury-enforced departure of Rhys Ruddock, a late replacement himself, forced a reshuffle.
Nice hands from Ben Tapuai and Boeta Chamberlain sent Fassi knifing through in the ninth minute, with Chamberlain’s conversion levelling it.
Leinster conceded six penalties inside the opening 23 minutes, the latest one allowing Chamberlain to make it 10-7.
Brought on as a replacement, Ringrose replied with a terrific seven-pointer, bouncing off one defender, sidestepping another and showing his strength to make the line.
However, Sexton’s conversion for 14-10 was followed by a first-phase Kok try, which saw Abrahams shine in the build-up, and Rohan Janse van Rensburg then sent Abrahams over.
Henshaw’s deft kick out to the right saw Ringrose complete his brace in the 37th minute, the conversion from Sexton giving Leinster a one-point interval lead.
Early second-half pressure put Porter over for a 46th-minute bonus-point try, only for the jet-heeled Abrahams to hit back with an early try-of-the-season contender.
From there, Leinster pushed on despite losing Ryan Baird to a worrying head injury. Henshaw scored from Charlie Ngatai’s clever kick and Cormac Foley set up Russell for his first provincial try.
Sexton and Fassi exchanged chip-and-chase scores, before an ill-tempered spell saw Sharks centre Janse van Rensburg sent off for a high tackle on Ross Byrne. McKee mopped up with a 75th-minute maul try.
Player of the Match
Abrahams sparkled in attack, while the Sharks pack were workhorses throughout, particularly at the breakdown during the first half.
It was hard to look past Ringrose, though, given his impact off the bench. Two tries and a number of big moments, including some lung-busting runs as the game became looser and looser.
Play of the match
Spoilt for choice. Ringrose came up with a smashing score in the first half, but the plaudits have to go to Sharks flyer Abrahams.
With 53 minutes on the clock, he fielded a kick on halfway, dashed past two tackles and pipped Ringrose in a foot race to score from his own kick through.
The scorers:
For Leinster:
Tries: Jenkins, Ringrose 2, Porter, Henshaw, Sexton, McKee, Russell
Cons: Sexton 7
For Sharks:
Tries: Fassi 2, Kok, Abrahams 2
Cons: Chamberlain 2, Fluers
Pens: Chamberlain
Red card: Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Sharks, 74 – dangerous tackle)
Teams
Leinster: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Rob Russell, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Will Connors, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 John McKee, 17 Cian Healey, 18 Vakhtang Abdaladze, 19 James Ryan, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Cormac Foley, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Dylan Richardson, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Thomas du Toit (captain), 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Nevaldo Fleurs, 23 Marnus Potgieter.
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland) & Keane Davison (Ireland)
TMO: Jon Mason (wales)
