Hurricanes nick win with stunning 85th-minute try
Down 37-36 with the conversion to come in the 85th minute, it was up to the boot of Ihaia West to clinch victory for the Hurricanes over the Sharks.
Originally named on the bench, West was called into the starting side in Napier last night after Beauden Barrett stood down due to a tight quad.
He’d had a mixed game but the stage was set for the Hawke’s Bay local to be a hero on his home ground.
And sure enough, he slotted the kick to steal the win for the hosts.
Through the opening rounds of this Super Rugby season, the Sharks have shown they’re a second-half team.
Heading into their match against the Hurricanes, the South African side had scored 110 of their 187 points in the second half. So with a 27-19 lead at halftime, the visitors would have fancied their chances.
The Hurricanes were made to pay for some risky plays deep inside their own half in the first 40 minutes in possibly an overly aggressive approach to the match.
On two occasions, West attempted a dinky little chip kick from inside his own 22 to find an outside back. The first led to a try to Vince Aso, who had to do a lot of work to gather the ball, fend off an opponent and run 60m. The second was cleaned up by the Sharks and ended in a try for the visitors.
The Sharks’ early attacks were powerful, fast and direct. Their pack battered the Hurricanes defence with some damaging runs.
The hosts did well to hold the visitors at bay in the opening minutes but conceded a penalty to fall behind 3-0 after five minutes. The lead lasted all of three minutes.
The Hurricanes backline showed some slick hands inside the Sharks’ 22 which led to a Jordie Barrett try.
Ngani Laumape crossed soon after thanks to a beautiful offload from West, but the Sharks hit back almost immediately through midfielder Lukhanyo Am, who bagged a double in the first half.
Through 27 minutes, the tackle count told the story; the Hurricanes had made 68, the Sharks just 26. The visitors dominated possession and territory in the first 40 minutes, with
64 per cent of the ball. They made the most of it, running in three tries to take a 27-19 lead at the break.
The physical battle continued in the second half. While the Sharks had enjoyed scoring points in the second
40 of matches this season, it was their defence that was key.
It looked like they had secured the win when reserve forward Tyler Paul crashed over but a Laumape try five minutes after the hooter gave the Hurricanes an opportunity to snatch the win — and West didn’t waste it. Hurricanes 38 (Ngani Laumape 2, Jordie Barrett, Vince Aso tries; Ihaia West 4 pens, 3 cons)
Sharks 37 (Lukhanyo Am 2, Louis Schreuder, Tyler Paul tries; Robert du Preez 4 cons, 3 pens). HT: 27-19