Leinster fell 26-20 to the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, extending their losing run to two matches at the start of the United Rugby Championship season. The Irish province, reigning URC champions, were pushed hard in a physical contest where they often struggled in the scrum and conceded four tries to the South African side.
Robbie Henshaw gave Leinster the early lead when he crossed for a try in the 16th minute, finishing off a move set up by Fintan Gunne. The Sharks responded quickly through Manu Tshituka, who powered over to level the scores. The match swung in Durban as Leinster’s Tom Clarkson was yellow-carded late in the first half for repeated scrum collapses. That period of pressure cost Leinster when Lili Bester scored for the Sharks, giving them a seven-point advantage at halftime.
Clarkson returned to the field after the break and made an immediate impact by scoring Leinster’s second try. Sam Prendergast’s penalty put the visitors ahead for the first time since early in the game. Yet the Sharks struck back with two tries in quick succession. Andre Esterhuizen finished a swift counter-attack before Edwill van der Merwe intercepted a pass and sprinted in untouched, putting the home side 11 points clear.
Leinster fought back late on as Andrew Osborne collected a kick from Prendergast in the corner to score a try, securing a losing bonus point for the visitors. Despite their efforts, Leinster could not close the gap, and the Sharks held on for a six-point win.
Leinster’s starting lineup included Lawlor, Tom O’Brien, Cooney, Henshaw, Osborne, Gabriel, Gunne, Porter, Kelleher, Clarkson, O’Tighearnaigh, Spicer, Baird, van der Flier, and Ericson. They were supported by replacements such as McCarthy, Usanov, Smyth, Deeny, Mangan, Coffey, Prendergast, and McLaughlin.
The Sharks fielded Giliomee, van der Merwe, Julius, Esterhuizen, L Bester, Moyo, J Hendrikse, Du Toit, Mnebelele, Koch, Jenkins, Landsberg, Buthelezi, E Tshituka, and Hatton, with E Bester, Nche, Jacobs, Etzebeth, Romao, Van Zyl, Siyaya, and Hooker coming off the bench.
Leinster’s tour of South Africa has now yielded two narrow losses but three bonus points from the opening rounds. Their next challenge is Cardiff at home next Saturday, where they will seek their first win of the URC campaign. The Sharks travel to face the Stormers after building momentum with this victory in Durban.
According to Yahoo Sports.
