Stephen Donald kicked a penalty after the final siren Saturday to give Waikato Chiefs a 19-18 win over the Sharks in the Super 14.
The Sharks had led 18-16 only moments earlier when Rory Kockott landed a penalty at a rain-drenched Kings Park Stadium.
However, Sharks centre Andries Strauss was penalised for being offside right in front of his posts from the kickoff to give Donald his opportunity to win the match in the opening round of the competition.
Chiefs inside centre Jackson Willison scored the only try of the match in the 77th minute, a fair reward with the visitors playing the enterprising rugby in the sodden conditions by spreading the ball wide from the muddy contact points to stretch the defence.
Both teams were heavily penalised by New Zealand referee Keith Brown for slowing the ball down at the tackle, allowing Donald and Kockott to trade penalties throughout the first half for the score to be 6-6 at the break.
The Sharks broke the deadlock in the second half through Kockott’s boot for a 15-9 lead that looked enough to win the match.
But the Chiefs kept hammering away, exploiting the Sharks’ ill discipline with Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis in the sin bin from the 73rd minute for a cynical late shoulder charge on Hika Elliott. Willison’s try came from a surge downfield after that penalty.
Although Kockott regained the lead for the Sharks, Strauss’ indiscretion gave Donald his chance.
Ora
Guest
Nice to see the lads on All Out Rugby don't always wear there eye patch when looking at refs decisions. However they then contradict themselves by saying the Sharks lost the match the Chiefs didn't win it..... Ah I'm sorry but I don't remember the Sharks scoring any tries nor did they ever reallty look like scoring them yet the Chiefs did aon a few occasions and luckily for the Sharks, Petersen was at his try saving best or the scoreline could've ballooned. Also I find it amusing how because the Sharks lost the game (to use the term used on the aforementioned program) in the final minutes it's ok. Oh hello people the game of rugby goes for 80 minutes and it doesn't matter one iota when you score your points as long as you score more than your opponents. This was could not have been highlighted any better than the Wales hertoic comeback in the 6 Nations against Scotland.
Ora
Guest
Wow are you blokes also posting in planetrugby.com funny how when the Sharks lose it is because of the ref, not due to the fact that the sharks were just indisciplined and gave away a lot of penalities throughout the match, If I recall Donald missed a few also. The Chiefs were the only team to score a try and were the only team who really looked like they could and would score, but don't let that get in the way of the one eye that you have open. If Jon Smit played as much rugby and as well as he can yap into the refs ear the Sharks might actually start winning more games.
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
I thought neither team was inspiring but perhaps that had more to do with the weather than any lack of skill or effort. I will say that the Sharks are going to struggle if Pienaar goes down with an injury.
Wooded
Guest
im not a sharks supporter, but Mr Ref had been pinging the tackler all night (rightly so), However that last play, he was not penalised, and Sharks ended up giving away the off side PK. I agree with you Lee, and im dirty because my multi bet for 7 winners was destroyed on the last play of the weekend... sharks should have stopped kicking the ball away and given it to their big #1 more often and it might have been a different result, well done cheifs, tough, well earnt win over in africa. Despite ruining my bet.
Lee
Guest
That last play I thought was horrific, whoever tackled du plesdis never released him, so he fired it back, it was Knocked back and then a player was judged offside(?) thought the penalty was an aweful decision. Uh well sharks played horribly and didn't deserve a win. I have a feeling it's going to be a long season for us sharks supporters.