Sharks 33 Hurricanes 17
The Sharks firmed as Super 14 rugby favourites after the South African juggernauts powered home to beat the Hurricanes 33-17 in Durban this morning (NZ time).
Roared on by a crowd of 42,000 at ABSA Stadium, the competition-leading Sharks turned around a 9-10 halftime deficit with three second-half tries which were all opportunist in nature.
The Hurricanes crossed once in each half, through flanker Faifili Levave and winger Zac Guildford, but were made to pay for a high penalty count and failure to perform the basics in a key period at the start of the second half.
The game's turning point came in the 44th minute when the hosts hit the front for the first time through a try to winger Luzuko Vulindlu.
Nearly every Hurricanes player turned their back after a botched clearing kick by Guildford and were caught out when a quick throw-in to Vulindlu sent him scampering 40m virtually unimpeded.
Three minutes later they crossed again when reserve fullback Tamati Ellison - on for the injured Cory Jane - spilled a bomb by posts, offering a free gift to Sharks first five-eighth Francois Steyn.
As they have done all year, the Sharks capitalised superbly on opposition mistakes while the Hurricanes were left ruing a halftime lead of just 10-9 after they had dominated the first stanza.
Their biggest problem was indiscipline, with South African referee Marius Jonker hammering them on the penalty and free kick count.
They were especially bemused by a penalty on the Sharks tryline just before halftime, where flanker Karl Lowe was stopped short after a Conrad Smith break. Smith subsequently barged over.
Captain Rodney So'oialo may have been referring to Jonker in his post-game summation.
"That ball is a weird shape and can bounce any way. Unfortunately it bounced towards the Sharks," he told Super Sport.
"We had great opportunities to score but we couldn't do it. It's a tough place to come and win."
Sharks skipper Johann Muller praised his side's ability to hang on.
"We weren't at our best tonight, we made a lot of mistakes and didn't hold onto the ball the whole but you've got to be happy with the points against a quality side like that."
Hurricanes first five-eighth Piri Weepu and Sharks halfback Rory Kockott traded early penalties before some dynamic attacks from the visitors were rewarded with Levave's try, busting through Springboks captain John Smit on a 20m charge.
Jonker's influence began to grow and Kockott landed two more penalties before the break, preceding the Sharks' crucial double just after halftime pushed them 23-10 clear.
The Hurricanes camped on attack over the final quarter and Guildford kept them in the contest via a try with 12min to play.
However, Steyn immediately drilled a dropped goal from 40m out and reserve back Chris Jordaan blew the scoreline out against the run of play in the 77th minute when another bomb was botched.
This result pushes the Sharks three points clear at the top of the standings, with the prospect of a string of matches in South Africa to end their campaign.
The Hurricanes drop a place to sixth but just three points outside the top four and with a game in hand on most of their leading rivals.
They will be anxious for a more disciplined performance against the Western Force in Perth next week.
Winger Hosea Gear and flanker Scott Waldrom will again be missing while a third All Black, Cory Jane, is also now in doubt with injury. Lock Jeremy Thrush may return from an elbow injury.
Sharks 33 (Chris Jordaan, Francois Steyn, Luzuko Vulindlu tries Rory Kockott 3 cons 3 pens Steyn drop goal) bt Hurricanes 17 (Zac Guildford, Faifili Levave tries Piri Weepu 2 cons pen) at ABSA Stadium.
- NZPA
