Super Rugby wrap
“I’m really proud. The Sharks threw a lot at us and the way the boys kept digging deep for each other was special,” Brumbies captain Christian Leali’ifano said. “The forwards have been amazing all year, they were challenged again tonight and stepped up and provided a great platform for us.”
Loose forward Samu scored in the first minute after receiving an inside ball from lock Rory Arnold and dashing 35m to cross between the posts. Curwin Bosch got the Sharks on the scoreboard with a 50-metre penalty, but Arnold had his second try assist on 10 minutes when he put Henry Speight into the corner for a 14-3 lead.
The teams traded penalty goals before the Sharks conceded their first rolling maul try of the season when Samu scored on 24 minutes. The Brumbies held a 24-6 lead at the break but the Sharks closed the gap when Andre Esterhuizen barged through Irae Simone to score in the 56th.
Joe Powell clinched the match when he ran 20m to score with eight minutes to go. His replacement, reserve halfback Matt Lucas, scored a ●
Friday: Christchurch Crusaders 38, Highlanders 14 Saturday: Buenos Aires Jaguares 21, Chiefs 16 Wellington
Hurricanes 35 Bulls 28 Canberra
Brumbies 38 Sharks 13.
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Saturday: Buenos Aires 11.05am Jaguares vs Brumbies Christchurch, 7.35pm
Crusaders vs. Hurricanes
try in the final minute.
The Jaguares are also in form, having won 10 of their past 11 games; the Brumbies’ most recent loss came against the Argentine side in Buenos Aires eight weeks ago.
On Friday, the Crusaders preserved home advantage and ended the career of a number of Highlanders who are leaving Super Rugby with a 38-14 win, led by dazzling five-eighth Richie Mo’unga.
In Saturday morning’s game, the Jaguares maintained their hot streak with a 21-16 win over the Chiefs.