Sharks overcome 14-man Tahs

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Curwin Bosch contributed 13 points in a composed performance at flyhalf as the Sharks claimed a tour-opening 23-15 victory over the Waratahs in Parramatta on Saturday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.

Prior to this clash, the Sharks had suffered disappointing back-to-back defeats against the Jaguares and Reds at home, with under-pressure coach Robert du Preez duly making several changes to the side.

The most significant alterations saw a change to the halfback pairing, with Cameron Wright and Bosch earning rare starts.

Although Wright made a shaky start to proceedings, he got better as the game went on, while Bosch impressed with the speed of his pass and big boot, while also knocking over three important penalties.

A defining moment in this clash came early in the second half. With the scores level, Waratahs lock Jed Holloway was shown a red card for an elbow to the face of Thomas du Toit, who was sent to the sin bin for holding the player off the ball.

Further ill-discipline then saw Jack Dempsey also yellow-carded soon after for a dangerous tackle, while Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen duly punished the 13-man Tahs as he powered over the tryline minutes later.

From there, Bosch knocked over a couple more penalties as the Sharks cruised to a much-needed win, and their first in Sydney since 2000.


The first half had been a rather bland affair, but considering the struggles that the Sharks have endured in recent weeks, they would have quite happy to go into the break with the scores level at 10-10, particularly after spending plenty of time on defence.

Ultimately, it was their impressive defence and indeed a powerful effort up front that laid the foundation for a vital result in the context of their season.


Waratahs – Tries: Jake Gordon, Bernard Foley. Conversion: Foley. Penalties: Foley.
Sharks – Tries: Dan du Preez, Andre Esterhuizen. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (2). Penalties: Bosch (3).

Waratahs – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Subs: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Lachlan Swinton 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Alex Newsome.

Sharks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (c).
Subs: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.

Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

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Craig Lewis