Five-eighth Hayden Parker has nailed a drop goal almost four minutes after the siren to give the Sunwolves a thrilling 26-23 Super Rugby win over South Africa’s Stormers in Hong Kong.
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Final score
Sunwolves 26
Stormers 23
It’ll be hot and humid as Hong Kong hosts its first ever Super Rugby game, with the Sunwolves set to take on the Stormers. Join The Roar for live scores from 3:15pm (AEST).
Whichever team adjusts to the conditions better could well come away with the victory at Mong Kok Stadium, with the temperature expected to sit at 30 degrees and humidity to rise as high as 90 per cent.
That will create uncomfortable conditions for anything, let along rugby, but the Sunwolves, who are used to training in such conditions should be confident after picking up their first win of the season last weekend.
It’s been a long hard slog for the Sunwolves, who lost all of their first nine games and barely looked like getting close to registering points on the ladder during that time. Things finally turned for the Japanese club last week though as they belted the hapless Reds, running up a huge 63-28 victory.
Their attack, for the first time this season, clicked. They ran up some decent scores in some of their early losses, but it never felt like they were going to win those games. Last weekend, everything clicked for them, and while their defence still needs work, it will probably be slightly easier to contain the Stormers.
The South African outfit will be starting to get desperate, with chances of qualifying for the finals starting to skip away from them through the second half of the season.
They have been absolutely dreadful on the road throughout the year, not winning a single game away from Newlands, but their ability to win at home had been keeping them in it. Last week, even that faltered as they went down 15-9 in a scrappy, tight affair against the Chiefs.
With just four games left in their season, they find themselves at the bottom of the logjam in the South African conference, but one win could rocket them into second and back to a wildcard spot. Every game is so, so important from here to the end of the season, but with a trip to Argentina also involved, it feels like they must win at least one away from home.
Prediction
The Sunwolves are at home, coming off a victory and playing in conditions which should suit them a little more than the Stormers – although not by much. If they were playing against any other South African team, you’d tip against them, but the Japanese club might go two in a row here.
Sunwolves by 3.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 3:15pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments throughout the course of the coverage.
Fionn
Guest
I'm beginning to be scared of that ??. Maybe we can get up for the match against the Tahs?
Fionn
Guest
Parker isn't eligible for Japan, right? Surely they'd select him if so? He's a gun. Yep, eating my words feels totally fine. Awesome match from the Sunwolves.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Stormers fans probably know what it feels like to be an Aussie Rugby fan...well done Sunwolves!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
But those word gotta taste pretty good when we get a finish like that. What a beautiful drama! Hayden Parker gotta be the solution for the Blues flyhalf-problem. Michael Little is super solid also. Neither of them is in the plans for the Japan national team
Reverse Wheel
Guest
There's only one aussie coach in super rugby. But yeah, he's having a shocker.
Harry Jones
Expert
Well done SunWolves A streak!!!
Harry Jones
Expert
?
ThugbyFan
Guest
yeahh, I tipped the Doggies but what a finish. Been a dream 2 weeks for Hayden Parker and can't that SA fullback also kick a ball, his goal was near 57m long.
Matt From Pony Land
Roar Rookie
That was freaking awesome. So, Brums to finish last in the conference? :-(
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Picked them 2 weeks in a row...what a game! Wish our sides would play with the same heart.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Speak out mate. Stormers have the players but they are coached like a nightmare. No other way to put it.
Mickey
Guest
Big hearty congratulations to the Sunwolves for going back to back for the first time ever. The Stormers away duck continues.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Holy wow wow wow. Sunwolves got balls bigger than an elephant. And they got Hayden Parker. The finish of the season. And they deserved the win too. It is very hard not to have a very soft in the heart for Sunwolves. They have everything stacked against them, and they never moan or complain, they just go on with their business. And they are improving.
Dennis Hopper Jr.
Guest
Well done Sunwolves, hard luck Stormers.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
A bunch of fun, unstructured play towards the end. Made it worth watching. Well done Sunwolves.
You almost have to feel sorry for the Stormers, so much promise and expectation at the bginning of the season and it seems they might get the wooden spoon in the SA conference
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
Well you called it Scott..3 points.
Garmos
Guest
Well done Sunwolves. I’ve got a good article title for you Scott. What Kiwi Coaches are doing that Aussies Coaches are not.
Diggercane
Guest
Wonderful match!! What a finish.
Fionn
Guest
Have to eat my words about the Sunwolves. Incredible match and finish. Hayden Parker, take a bow. What a player. What I would do for him to be Aussie.