Sharks blow Hurricanes away to go top

Article Published: Saturday 4 April 2009

The Sharks charge towards the play offs edged a little closer after they beat the Hurricanes by 33 points to 17 in Durban in the final match of Round 8 in the Super 14.

The Sharks outscored the Hurricanes by three tries to two but didn't need the bonus point to finish the Round 8 on top of the Super 14 table.

The home side found themselves on the back foot early on as All Black Piri Weepu put over a comfortable penalty in the fourth minute.

Sharks scrumhalf Rory Kockott reciprocated with a penalty of his own before the visitors went ahead thanks to a Faifili Levave try.

Later in the first half the Sharks got themselves back in the game and Kockott goaled two more penalties to make it a one-point game at 9-10 at the break.

The second half saw the Sharks sneak ahead when they called a short lineout and got the ball to speedy winger Luzuko Vulindlu who raced 50 metres to score his team’s first try.

Weepu then launched a wayward kick and found his team punished as Frans Steyn collected and darted over for another five points. Kockott added the extra two to make it 23-10 in favour of the home side.

Just after the hour, the Canes began applying mountains of pressure through waves of attacking phases. Winger Zac Guildford was eventually the man who got over for the try to make it 23-17.

The Sharks were however not done and at that point Steyn looked out for a chance at a drop and succeeded with ten minutes to go before replacement Chris Jordaan touched down in the corner to ensure the 33-17 win for John Plumtree's side.

"I'm obviously happy with the four points, but we made a lot of mistakes," Sharks captain Johann Muller said.

"However, you have got to be happy after a win over a quality side like them. In the second half we said we had to hold onto the ball and build pressure, and we capitalized."

The Sharks travel to Bloemfontein next weekend to face the Cheetahs.

Final Score Sharks 33 Hurricanes 17

Scorers

Sharks
Tries -Luzuko Vulindlu, Francois Steyn,Chris Jordaan
Penalties -Rory Kockott 3
Conversions -Rory Kockott 3
Drop Goals -Francois Steyn

Hurricanes
Tries -Faifili Levave,Zac Guildford
Penalties -Piri Weepu
Conversions -Piri Weepu 2
Drop Goals -

Referee: Marius Jonker (SA)
Ref. Ass.: Joey Salmans (SA), Cobus Wessels (SA)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (SA)

Man of the match : Luzuko Vulindlu

Teams

Sharks : 15. Stefan Terblanche 14. Odwa Ndungane 13. Adrian Jacobs 12. Riaan Swanepoel 11. Luzuko Vulindlu 10. Francois Steyn 9. Rory Kockott 8. Ryan Kankowski 7. Keegan Daniel 6. Jacques Botes 5. Johann Muller (Captain) 4. Steven Sykes 3. John Smit 2. Bismarck du Plessis 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: 16. Jannie du Plessis 17. Deon Carstens 18. Albert van den Berg 19. Skholiwe Ndlovu 20. Charl McLeod 21. Monty Dumond 22. Chris Jordaan

Hurricanes: 1. John Schwalger,2. Andrew Hore,3. Neemia Tialata,4. Bryn Evans,5. Jason Eaton,6. Faifili Levave,7. Karl Lowe,8. Rodney So'oialo (c),9. Alby Mathewson,10. Piri Weepu,11. David Smith,12. Ma'a Nonu,13. Conrad Smith,14. Zac Guildford,15. Cory Jane

Reserves,16. Dane Coles,17. Jacob Ellison,18. Tim Fairbrother,19. Api Naikatini,20. Victor Vito,21. Willie Ripia,22. Tamati Ellison

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Sharks blow Hurricanes away to go top

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