The Sharks were unable to scale the first little hill on their overseas Super Rugby tour, going down 24-17 to the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday, dogged by basic mistakes and ill-discipline.
The scale of the Sharks’ wastefulness and ineptitude was shown by their failure to capitalise on two yellow cards that were dished out to the Brumbies.
The first came in the 36th minute when flank Lachlan McCaffrey was sin-binned for playing the ball on the ground whilst off his feet at a ruck.
The Sharks were 10-3 down at that stage but failed to close the gap, with McCaffrey making a neat scoring pass to wing Henry Speight as soon as he returned to the field.
The Sharks did score a try, prop Thomas du Toit driving over, when the Brumbies had their second player yellow-carded in the 53rd minute, tighthead Allan Alalaatoa for entering a rolling maul on the wrong side, putting themselves back in the game at 10-15.
But they then conceded a scrum penalty (18-10) against seven forwards and Speight on the flank!
Who was the star in this match?
Brumbies flyhalf Wharenui Hawera was their key performer, varying his play well as the home side kept the ball alive for long periods, but without making 50/50 passes. His four penalties were also crucial, but they could not have come at a cheaper price as the Sharks showed gross indiscipline as well as being shaky in the scrums.
Key moments and themes
Point scorers
Brumbies – Tries: Lausii Taliauli, Henry Speight. Conversion: Wharenui Hawera. Penalties: Hawera (4).
Sharks – Tries: Thomas du Toit, Curwin Bosch. Conversions: Robert du Preez (2). Penalty: Du Preez.
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