Waratahs Sunk by Shark Attack
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Saturday, 10 February 2007
NSWRU Media Unit
The HSBC Waratahs have lost their first match of the Super 14, toppled 22-9 in a mistake-riddled performance against the Sharks at the ABSA Stadium in Durban.
Daniel Halangahu on the run for the Waratahs against the Sharks
Daniel Halangahu on the run for the Waratahs against the Sharks
Adam Freier looks for an opening.
Adam Freier looks for an opening.
The Waratahs faltered in the heat and humidity of the Natal coast, leading early before falling behind through a mix of poor handling and off-target kicking.
Despite this the visitors were right in the match until two minutes from full time when the Sharks crossed for the first – and only – try of the match through flyhalf Butch James.
Percy Montgomery’s conversion added salt to the wound, taking the final score along to 22 points to 9.
Chances were few and far between for the visitors, with their first clear opportunity not coming until seven minutes after half time when lock Will Caldwell was just beaten out in a race for the ball with Sharks winger Francois Steyn.
In the end they’d threaten just three more times in the match, in the 61st, 71st and 77th minutes, and while each time they looked dangerous the Waratahs were unable to get over the line.
The Waratahs started positively and kicked themselves into the lead in the fourth minute of play through a Peter Hewat penalty goal.
Steyn levelled it up for the Sharks three minutes later, then kicked his side ahead with a drop goal on 13 minutes.
The home side never conceded the lead from that point, and although a second Hewat penalty levelled it up eight minutes before half time the Sharks would head into the break three points ahead through a Percy Montgomery penalty.
Montgomery and Hewat traded penalty goals to start the second half before Hewat got the Waratahs to within three points 25 minutes from full time.
It was as close as the challengers would get, Montgomery re-establishing the lead five minutes later before James put it beyond doubt in the shadow of full time.
It was disappointing night with the boot from Hewat whose record of three from seven was well below his usual average, however the winger cannot be blamed for a loss in which no-one stood out.
The Waratahs have eight days to regroup ahead of the third and final match of their South African tour, against the Cheetahs in Kimberley next Saturday afternoon, South African time (Sunday morning AEDT).
HSBC WARATAHS – 9
Penalty Goals: Peter Hewat 3/7
THE SHARKS – 22
Tries: Butch James
Conversions: Percy Montgomery 1/1
Penalty Goals: Percy Montgomery 3/4; Francois Steyn 1/2
Drop Goal: Francois Steyn 1/1
At the ABSA Stadium, Durban
Half Time: 9-6 Sharks
Crowd: Approximately 35,000
Referee: Chris Pollock (NZ)
Man of the Match: Rory Kockott (Sharks)