The Sharks have snatched a late 27-22 over the Brumbies in Canberra with a late try to Lukhanyo Am sending the visitors home with the win.
It was looking like the game would be heading for a draw after the Brumbies worked their way back into the game after the Sharks dominated the majority of the second half.
The Match
The Brumbies got the game off to a fast start with a try in the right corner to Henry Speight off a looping Kyle Godwin pass after less than two minutes that all started with a lineout that saw James Dargaville, of all people, throwing it in.
The Sharks then had the majority of the possession for the next ten minutes with their forwards starting to make inroads. Scrambling defence from the Brumbies kept them out then the TMO overturned a possible try and had to settle to a penalty goal to Patrick Lambie.
The home side looked to have scored their second try of the night after 15 minutes but the ruling was overturned after a slight knock on the lead up following a sniping run from Joe Powell after finding room on the edge of the ruck.
The Sharks discipline started to come into play with a number of penalties in their own 22 allowing the Brumbies to go for lineouts and at their third attempt they rolled it over the line with Josh Mann-Rea coming up with the five pointer. Wharenui Hawera’s first points at home for his new side made it a 12-3 lead.
The home side tried another sneaky lineout move on the back of another penalty but the Sharks defence was up to the task but their eagerness brought them undone as they were caught offside and the Brumbies added a penalty goal to make it 15-3.
The Sharks had limited chances in the first half and they took advantage of a penalty to kick it deep into the Brumbies end and it was prop Tendai Mtawarira who came up with the try from close range after Lwazi Mvovo went close in the build up.
And they closed the gap to just two points before half time following a penalty for obstruction and Lambie converted the shot to make it 15-13.
The Sharks came out for the second half with a more determination and built up a good number of phases to pressure the Brumbies defence into infringing and Lambie put his side in front at 16-15 with his third penalty of the night to make it 13 unanswered points.
The pressure continued as the Brumbies were unable to get any momentum as Lambie just missed with a long range penalty goal and the pressure continued as the Brumbies failed to clear a scrum in their 22. Kyle Godwin was given ten minutes in the bin after the Brumbies were on the back foot.
With all the pressure, the Brumbies were lucky to come away without conceding further points as Lambie missed a handy shot following a scrum penalty on the Brumbies feed but he would add another only minutes later after another offside penalty against the Brumbies.
It seemed an age as they finally getting their hands on the ball in the Sharks half but weren’t patient enough as a knock on halted that chance and to make things worse, Lambie landed his fifth penalty to make the difference a converted try with 15 minutes remaining.
There was still life in the Brumbies as they received a get out of jail card penalty for a high tackle on Tom Staniforth resulting in a Brumbies lineout. The move looked to be going nowhere before quick hands saw Tevita Kuridrani dive over next to the points and Isaac Thompson’s conversion made it a level game at 22-22 with ten minutes to go.
With time winding down the Brumbies worked their way into the Sharks 22 on the back of a penalty but a lineout steal from the Sharks got them off the hook.
With two minutes to go the Brumbies went for a long range drop goal that missed that probably wasn’t the right option and then with time up on the clock, Lukhanyo Am swooped on a kick from Curwin Bosch that evaded James Dargaville to steal the win for the Sharks and snatch a 27-22 win.
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The Game Changer
The second half. The Sharks came out with more determination and looked to squeeze the Brumbies out of the game before late drama saw them snatch a late win[/one_third]
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The G&GR MOTM
Philip van der Walt – Put in a typical physical display for his side to allow the Sharks forwards to dominate the second half[/one_third]
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Wallaby Watch
Tough night for the Wallabies contingent. Alaalatoa had big battle with Mtwaraira at scrum time. Scott Fardy put in his usual display in a game dominated by the forwards[/one_third]
The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 22
Tries: Speight, Mann-Rea, Kuridrani
Conversions: Hawera, Thompson
Penalties: Hawera
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]SHARKS 27
Tries: Mtawarira, Am
Conversions: Lambie
Penalties: Lambie 5
[/one_half]
Cards
52 mins – Kyle Godwin (Brumbies) – Yellow
Crowd
8,700+
Photos courtesy Tim Anger
