Stormy draw in Wellington
The Hurricanes and the Sharks fought to a controversial 13-13 stalemate in Wellington on Saturday.
Last Updated: 05/04/08 11:09am
The Hurricanes and the Sharks fought to a controversial 13-13 stalemate in Wellington on Saturday.
A stormy match saw a yellow and a red card, a penalty try and several debatable refereeing decisions.
While a draw is never the best result, the Sharks will be happy to walk away with two points after a last-minute dash by the Hurricanes was ended with centre Conrad Smith being held back with a try guaranteed.
In a match played in atrocious conditions there were only two tries, both scored in the final 10 minutes.
Late drama
The Sharks were awarded a penalty try when the Hurricanes were accused of collapsing a maul on the line.
The Hurricanes then hit back through Andrew Hore to equalise.
Smith appeared to be heading for the match-winning score right on the final whistle, but as the ball bounced over the try-line he was taken out by Bradley Barritt.
The only points of the first half came from an exchange of penalties, with Ruan Pienaar scoring for the Sharks before Jimmy Gopperth levelled.
The match then erupted into life 10 minutes into the second half, after Francois Steyn put the Sharks ahead with a 49-metre penalty.
Hurricanes prop Neemia Tialata was sent to the sin-bin for a blatant shoulder charge on Stefan Terblanche, before Epi Taione was shown a red card for head-butting Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush.
