Hooper laments narrow escape
WARATAHS and Australia captain Michael Hooper accused his teammates of trying to play like the Harlem Globetrotters after they narrowly escaped a scare against the Sunwolves, winning 31-30.
The Sunwolves have lost 28 of their last 33 matches in the competition and were left to rue a skewed drop-goal effort by fly-half Hayden Parker from right in front of the sticks when normal time had expired.
Though it was a day to celebrate for full-back Israel Folau, whose two tries saw him become the most prolific Australian tryscorer in Super Rugby history, Hooper was left to bemoan his team’s complacent performance having run out 77-25 victors in the same fixture last year.
“I think we potentially just tried to score some Harlem Globetrotter tries, which is not what we want to do,” Hooper said.
“We want to build phases, put them under pressure and we didn’t do that. They capitalised on a lot of mistakes that we produced and then also put together some really good phases to keep us under pressure.”
Thrashed 45-10 by the Sharks last week, it was the Sunwolves who claimed the first try of the encounter as Ryoto Nakamura broke clear to set up winger Gerhard van der Heever to score after eight minutes.
But the visitors struck back through Kurtley Beale a mere two minutes later before Folau flaunted his attacking flair to notch try numbers 57 and 58 in the competition to surpass Joe Roff ’s record.
The Sunwolves snatched the lead before the break, however, thanks to a converted Tom Rowe try and three points from the boot of Parker.
Showing improvement in the second half, the Waratahs wrestled themselves back front thanks to a try from Jack Dempsey and then a penalty try in 61st minute.
But van den Heever spotted an opening in the ‘Tahs defence to claim his second of the match and bring the hosts within a point of their opponents.
With no shortage of drama in this eight-try encounter, Waratahs centre Karmichael Hunt was able to unsettle Parker enough with his drop-goal attempt in front of the posts.
A comfortable first half for the Sharks allowed them to operate at second gear in the second 40 and seal a 26-7 victory over a hapless Blues side.
Tries from Aphalele Fassi, Akker van der Merwe, Robert du Preez and a score by Curwin Bosch in the second half maintained the Sharks unbeaten start.
Blues had to wait a full hour until they registered points through emerging wing Tanielu Tele’a.
An eight-try extravaganza was put on by the
Brumbies for their home fans as they demolished the
Chiefs 54-17. Two tries each for backs Tevita Kuridrani and Chance Peni were complemented by the boot and overall leadership of captain Christian Leali’ifano, who kicked five conversions in a magnificent all-round display.
It was a disappointing night for the Chiefs stalwart Brodie Retallick on the occasion of his 100th Super Rugby appearance, crumbs of comfort were found in tries for Ataata Moeakiola and Samisoni Taukei’aho. Reigning champions
Crusaders owed much to a sterling first-half display as they downed the Hurricanes 38-22. Fly-half maestro Richie Mo’unga crossed twice as did lock Scott Barrett. An on-the-hooter try for
Stormers scrum-half Herschel Jantjies robbed the
Lions of victory over their South African rivals in a match which finished 19-17.
First-half finishes from back row duo Kwagga Smith and Warren Whiteley had given the visitors a foothold in the game.
After years of underachievement, a youthful
Reds team gave head coach Brad Thorn reason to continue to experiment despite ending up on the losing end of a 36-31 thriller against the Highlanders.
The game was in the balance right until Dillon Hunt’s match-winner in the 74th minute.