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DID the Brumbies hold back because they were facing Jake White, or did White’s Sharks pull their foot off the pedal because they were up against the coach’s old team?
Whatever the case, the encounter between the Sharks and Brumbies at the Canberra Stadium was one big yawn fest.
The match was nothing but a ping-pong battle marred by handling errors and ill discipline.
With White taking on his former side at their own home
Not even the prayers of Jannie du Plessis from the bench in the dying moments could create a miraculous comeback
ground, much was expected from the encounter — but it failed to meet expectations.
“He is coaching us now and did great with the Brumbies [when he coached them]. It is disappointing not to have been able to give him the win,” Sharks captain Bismarck du Plessis said after the match.
The 16-9 defeat for the Sharks has caused a slight dent in their title ambitions, although the Durban side remain at the summit of the Super Rugby log.
It will not get any easier for the Sharks, who face a tough two weeks in New Zealand against the Crusaders in their next fixture next weekend, followed by the Blues.
Victories are vital for White’s side to consolidate a comfortable lead at the top of the table.
“It hurts when we lose,” White said yesterday. “We had our chances, but missed [them]. When we had momentum going, we lost it. When they had it, they used it.
“We want to keep on top [of the log]. Our destiny is in our own hands. We have the Crusaders, then the Blues — it doesn’t get easier.”
Kicking dominated the lacklustre battle at Canberra, dampened by wet conditions.
While shaving to ensure an immaculate moustache ahead of the match, Sharks flyhalf Frans Steyn may have shed some of his kicking abilities too.
The Sharks will be scratching their heads over the three firsthalf penalties Steyn missed that could have swung the game in favour of the visitors and landed them some vital points.
The only try of the match, and the only bit of action worth noting, came in the 62nd minute when lock Sam Carter squeezed through a gap in the Sharks’ defensive line to cross over for his first try of the season, to add the only points besides those from the boot of Steyn and Brumbies centre Christian Lealiifano.
Not even the prayers of Jannie du Plessis from the bench in the dying moments were enough for a miraculous comeback by the Sharks.
Perhaps those prayers will be answered in Christchurch when the Sharks take on the Crusaders on Saturday. SCORERS Brumbies 16 — Try: Sam Carter. Conversion:
Christian Lealiifano. Penalties: Lealiifano (3). Sharks 9 — Penalties Frans Steyn (3).