Sharks break Super Rugby curse against Crusaders

A 14-MAN Sharks side cemented their Super 15 competition lead with a historic 30-25 win over the Crusaders in a dramatic clash in Christchurch yesterday.

It was the first time the Sharks have beaten the Crusaders at home in the Super Rugby competition, and it was the first time any SA side has won in Christchurch since 2001.

For 65 minutes, after Jean Deysel was red-carded, the Sharks were undermanned — and in the 63rd minute they sank to 13 men for 10 minutes when Willem Alberts was sent to the sin-bin.

But, despite the disciplinary lapses, they overcame their disadvantage after the lead changed seven times as the Sharks outscored their opponents three tries to one.

The winning points came with a try to replacement hooker Kyle Cooper with five minutes remaining.

The win turned around the Sharks’ fortunes after they had lost two of their last three games, but for captain Bismarck du Plessis it was more important that they broke their Christchurch hoodoo.

“It’s very emotional for us, we’ve been here and come close but we’ve never won here so it’s a big thing,” he said.

The Sharks struck early with a quick try to Sibusiso Sithole, the result of a deft back-of-the-hand pass by Frans Steyn, who started the move when he sliced open the Crusaders defences.

Colin Slade levelled the score with a try and conversion, then put the Crusaders ahead with a penalty when Deysel was redcarded for stamping on the face of Crusaders Jordan Taufua.

A further penalty pushed the Crusaders’ out to 13-7 before Steyn narrowed the gap with his first penalty just on half time. An individual kick-and-chase effort by Cobus Reinach put the Sharks back in front immediately after the resumption.

The lead changed again as Tim Swiel and Slade exchanged further penalties before Cooper sealed the outcome.

Jason Woodward kicked a lastminute penalty to give the Rebels a first Super Rugby win over the Reds with a 30-27 victory in Brisbane yesterday. —