URC: Sharks 12 Connacht 13
In a war of attrition in Durban, Connacht demonstrated a growing “belief” in their ability “to grind out results” when they prevailed by a single point over the Sharks.
Pete Wilkins’s outfit showed stamina and no small measure of grit to hang in a game that could so easily have been lost. The stats pointed to a home win, but when JJ Hanrahan slotted over an under-pressure penalty in the 67th minute to put his side a point ahead, his counterpart Boeta Chamberlain missed his 73rd-minute effort, ensuring Connacht claimed a fifth win in South Africa.
“The momentum you get from winning the first game on tour is really important,” said head coach Wilkins. “And it will certainly give the lads the belief that even when you are not getting the run of the game all your own way, you can hang in there and dig your way out. That is something we will have to be mindful of when get to the Bulls encounter.
“We always want to play a possession game, but it certainly wasn’t as the Sharks made sure of that. But we want to play ambitious rugby, at the same time we have to be true to what Connacht has been about historically.
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“And when we have had success in recent times, the work ethic off the ball and those moments when you cover a slight mistake from your team-mate, we pride ourselves on those. Sometimes it’s beautiful rugby and sometimes it is character, and tonight was all about sheer character.”
The victory also ensures Connacht have moved back up the URC table with four victories – a solid return from their opening five games.
It was not the most entertaining fixture with just one try apiece in the opening half. Connacht’s seventh-minute effort was carved from a lineout and a series of thrusts to the line from Denis Buckley, Tadhg McElroy and Joe Joyce, before number eight Seán O’Brien touched down, with Hanrahan adding the conversion.
Until then the home side had Connacht’s defence under pressure, and, but for a knock-on a metre from the line, they should have scored – their execution letting them down on a number of occasions. Right wing Werner Kok always looked threatening, as did Aphiwe Dyantyi, requiring huge defensive efforts from Cian Prendergast and Buckley, and led by captain Conor Oliver.
Eventually, the home outfit reaped their due reward from a tap penalty when number eight Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored from close range, but almost immediately Connacht won a penalty through McElroy, and Hanrahan slotted over for a 10-5 lead.
Connacht were forced to live on the edge in the second half. The hosts took control, but were denied a try, a certain let-off for a Connacht side under pressure. And it did not get better when the concession of several penalties, and Oisín Dowling’s sinbinning, provided another scrum platform for the Sharks. Eventually right wing Kok scampered in, putting his side in front for the first time, with Curwin Bosch added the extras for a 12-10 lead and the momentum.
However, a vital scrum penalty gave Connacht some relief, and although unable to capitalise – first missing a touch and then conceding a penalty – a turnover from Dave Heffernan provided a penalty lifeline. Hanrahan slotted his kick through the posts for a one-point lead and victory.
SCORING SEQUENCE – 7 mins: O’Brien try, Hanrahan con 0-7; 31: Notshe try 5-7; 34: Hanrahan pen 5-10; 49: Kok try, Bosch con 12-10; 66: Hanrahan pen 12-13.
SHARKS: A Fassi; W Kok, A Dyantyi, L Am, F Venter; C Bosch, C Wright; N Mchunu, D Richardson, C Osthiuizen; C Rahl, E Van Heerden; J Venter, S Nots, P Buthelezi.
Replacements: L Labushchagne for Rahl (62 mins); H Jacobs for C Osthiuizen (65); R Janse van Rensburg for Venter (67); B Chamberlain for Bosch (68); Z Mkhabelafor Wright (73); Dan Rooste for Richardson, D Richardson for Mchunu (both 78).
CONNACHT: T O’Halloran; B Ralston, A Smith, T Farrell, C Forde; J Hanrahan, C Reilly; D Buckley, T McElroy, F Bealham; O Dowling, J Joyce; C Prendergast, C Oliver, S O’Brien.
Replacements: J Porch for Smith (30 mins); D Hawkshaw for Forde (40); D Heffernan for McElroy and S Hurley-Langton for Oliver (both 52); P Dooley for Bealham, D Robertson-McCoy for Buckley (both 58); D Murray for Joyce (59); C Blade for O’Reilly (62).
Yellow card: O Dowling (48 mins).
Referee: Craig Evans (WRFU).
