Sharks crush Hurricanes

Durban – Sharks aptain Johann Muller said after beating the Hurricanes that the home side won because they “capitalised on the mistakes" of the visitors.

The Sharks went back to the top of the Super 14 log with an impressive 33-17 victory over the Hurricanes on Saturday.

The Hurricanes showed their intent right from the start, taking a lineout on their 22 quickly and launching an attack as they sent out a clear message that they wanted to play.

In the sixth minute, they drew first blood with flyhalf Piri Weepu slotting a 40m penalty. Sharks scrumhalf Rory Kockott quickly nullified that effort with a penalty of his own moments later.

Few close scares

Hurricanes flanker Faifili Levave was the first to cross the whitewash after he slipped through an attempted tackle by prop John Smit, going over under the sticks. Weepu converted and on the quarter hour mark it was suddenly 10-3 to the visitors.

Kockott, though, reduced the deficit to one point with two quick penalties a couple of minutes later.

The rest of the half was real end to end stuff with the Sharks managing to survive a few close scares. It was however a scoreless second quarter as the ‘Canes took their 10-9 lead into the break.

Early on in the second half, the Sharks caught the Hurricanes napping when they took a quick lineout, putting in youngster Luzuko Vulindlu for his first Super 14 try, which was converted by Kockott to give the Sharks a 16-10 lead.

Nailed great drop-goal

Hurricanes replacement Tamati Ellison then gifted Frans Steyn a try when he failed to collect a big up and under. The 21-year-old collected the loose ball and dived over for his team’s second try.

The visitors kept coming though and in the 58th minute right winger Zac Guildford scored a good try in the corner, which Weepu converted brilliantly from the touchline to make it a six-point ball-game.

Steyn though proved his value just a minute later though as he nailed a great drop-goal to restore a nine-point cushion for the Sharks.

Replacement Chris Jordaan then rounded off a great evening for the Sharks when he scored their third try with just a minute to play.

Scorers:

Sharks - Tries: Luzuko Vulindlu, Francois Steyn, Chris Jordaan; Conversions: Rory Kockott (3); Penalties: Kockott (3); Drop goal: Steyn.

Hurricanes - Tries: Faifili Levave, Zac Guildford; Conversions: Piri Weepu (2); Penalty: Weepu.