Pic Credit RTE
Tommy McLoughlin – New Ross RFC
Leinster will return from South Africa still searching for their first win of the new BKT United Rugby Championship season after going down 26–20 to the Sharks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban. Leo Cullen’s side had their opportunities and briefly led 15–14 during the second half, but the Sharks’ power up front and the impact of their returning Springboks eventually proved decisive. André Esterhuizen and Edwill van der Merwe crossed late to put the home side in control before Andrew Osborne’s try with the final play rescued a losing bonus point for Leinster. After taking two points from last weekend’s one-point defeat to the Lions, Leinster leave South Africa with three championship points from two games and plenty to work on before returning home.
Henshaw Gives Leinster The Perfect Start
Leinster started positively and were rewarded with the opening try after 16 minutes. Patient phase play pushed the Sharks back towards their own line before Fintan Gunne found Robbie Henshaw, who crossed for the score. Caspar Gabriel converted to give Leinster a 7–0 advantage and there was plenty to like about how the visitors had approached the opening quarter. The Sharks soon began to make their strength at scrum time count, however, and repeated pressure close to the Leinster line eventually created the opportunity for Manu Tshituka to power over. Vusi Moyo converted to level the match at 7–7. The momentum had started to swing towards the home side, with their experienced pack increasingly making life uncomfortable for Leinster at the set-piece.
Sharks Scrum Pressure Pays Off Before The Break
The Sharks continued to target the scrum as the first half wore on and Leinster were eventually punished when Thomas Clarkson was shown a yellow card following repeated scrum collapses. Playing with a man advantage, the home side went straight back to the set-piece and used the platform to move the ball wide. Lili Bester finished well in the corner and Moyo landed the difficult conversion to send the Sharks into half-time with a 14–7 advantage. It was a frustrating end to a half Leinster had started so well. Henshaw’s try had given them the early initiative, but the Sharks gradually dragged
the game towards an area where they held the advantage. Leinster had already experienced scrum problems against the Lions a week earlier, and once again the set-piece was becoming a major factor in the contest.
Clarkson Responds As Leinster Hit The Front
Leinster needed a strong response and produced one immediately after the restart. They spent much of the opening stages of the second half camped close to the Sharks line and, almost immediately after returning from the sin bin, Clarkson forced his way over for Leinster’s second try. Gabriel’s conversion attempt struck the upright, leaving the Sharks narrowly ahead at 14–12. Sam Prendergast replaced Gabriel shortly afterwards and Leinster continued to push. Their persistence was rewarded when Prendergast landed a penalty to move the visitors 15–14 ahead with around 15 minutes remaining. Considering the pressure Leinster had been under at the scrum, getting themselves back in front was a big effort. The problem was that the lead lasted barely a minute, and the Sharks had plenty of experience waiting to make an impact from the bench.
Leinster’s Alan Spicer is tackled by Nick Hatton of Sharks during their United Rugby Championship at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban © Shaun Roy/Sportsfile
Springbok Quality Turns The Game Late On
The Sharks’ response was immediate and ultimately decisive. From deep inside their own half, they produced one of the best attacking passages of the game. Eben Etzebeth broke through and combined with Edwill van der Merwe before releasing captain André Esterhuizen to finish the move. Leinster went searching for another response but were caught again late on when van der Merwe intercepted and raced clear for the Sharks’ fourth try, securing their bonus point and putting the result beyond Leinster. There was still time for one final attack. Osborne, who had been involved in the mistake leading to the interception, responded by collecting Prendergast’s kick and scoring with the final play. It reduced the final margin to 26–20 and secured a losing bonus point. It did not change the result, but it meant Leinster at least had something to show for another hard evening in South Africa.
The Verdict
Two defeats from two is not the start Leinster wanted, but there is a little more to this South African tour than the results alone suggest. This was another young Leinster side facing a Sharks team strengthened by the return of several Springboks, and for long periods they were right in the contest. Henshaw gave them a good start, Clarkson responded impressively after his yellow card and Leinster showed plenty of character to fight their way into a 15–14 lead. The concern, for the second week running, is the scrum. The Lions caused Leinster problems there in Johannesburg and the Sharks did
the same in Durban. Against packs of this quality, continually giving away pressure at the set-piece eventually catches up with you. The Sharks also had serious experience to introduce from the bench, with Etzebeth making his presence felt in the move that produced Esterhuizen’s try. Leinster will be disappointed to leave South Africa without a victory, but three bonus points from two competitive away games is something to take home. The younger players have also gained valuable experience. Now Leinster need to turn those encouraging moments into a first win when they return to Dublin.
Match Squads
Hollywoodbets Sharks:
15. Luan Giliomee, 14. Edwill van der Merwe, 13. Jurenzo Julius, 12. André Esterhuizen (C), 11. Lili Bester, 10. Vusi Moyo, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 1. Thomas du Toit, 2. Esethu Mnebelele, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Jason Jenkins, 5. Darrien Landsberg, 6. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Manu Tshituka, 8. Nick Hatton.
Replacements: 16. Ethan Bester, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Eben Etzebeth, 20. Matt Romao, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Zekhethelo Siyaya, 23. Ethan Hooker.
Leinster:
15. Todd Lawlor, 14. Tommy O’Brien, 13. Hugh Cooney, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Andrew Osborne, 10. Caspar Gabriel, 9. Fintan Gunne, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Ronan Kelleher (C), 3. Thomas Clarkson, 4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 5. Alan Spicer, 6. Ryan Baird, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Josh Ericson.
Replacements: 16. Gus McCarthy, 17. Alex Usanov, 18. Niall Smyth, 19. Brian Deeny, 20. Ciaran Mangan, 21. Oliver Coffey, 22. Sam Prendergast, 23. Hugo McLaughlin.
Match Details
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU) Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban Half-Time Score: Hollywoodbets Sharks 14–7 Leinster Full-Time Score: Hollywoodbets Sharks 26–20 Leinster
Match Discipline & Scorers
Cards: Thomas Clarkson (Leinster) Yellow card.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks:
• Tries: Tshituka, Bester, Esterhuizen, van der Merwe • Cons: Moyo (3) • Pens: None
Leinster:
• Tries: Henshaw, Clarkson, Osborne • Cons: Gabriel • Pens: Prendergast
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Next Up
Leinster v Cardiff Rugby, BKT United Rugby Championship, Saturday 10 October, 7.45pm, Laya Arena, Dublin.