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Murphy era at Ulster is off to losing start as Sharks finally bite
The Richie Murphy era at Ulster has got off to a losing start with their United Rugby Championship play-off bid taking a dent when beaten 22-12 by the struggling Sharks in Durban.
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It was the Sharks’ first league win since November as they climbed off the URC basement thanks to tries from flanker Phepsi Buthelezi, wing Eduan Keyter and hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
Siya Masuku landed two conversions and a penalty as the temperature nudged 30 degrees at Kings Park while Harry Sheridan and Kieran Treadwell claimed touchdowns for Ulster, with John Cooney kicking one conversion.
But even a losing bonus point eluded interim head coach Murphy in his first game at the helm following Dan McFarland’s departure, with Ulster temporarily going down to 13 players during the final quarter after captain Iain Henderson and centre James Hume were yellow-carded.
The Sharks were dealt an injury blow after just two minutes when number eight George Cronje suffered what appeared to be a serious knee problem and was carried off.
It took both teams time to settle after a lengthy stoppage but a scrappy opening quarter ended with Ulster going ahead. Treadwell made initial headway, charging to within touching distance of the line, before Sheridan finished off and Cooney’s conversion opened up a seven-point lead.
The Sharks, despite welcoming back Springboks Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am and Eben Etzebeth to their starting line-up, struggled for fluency before they conjured an equalising try out of nothing 13 minutes before half-time.
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Ulster were on the attack but they lost possession and Sharks full-back Aphelele Fassi cleared from his own 22, centre Ethan Hooker showed blistering pace to keep the chance alive and Buthelezi touched down, with Masuku adding the extras.
Ulster lost fly-half Billy Burns to a shoulder injury early in the second period and the visitors went behind to a well-worked Sharks try just four minutes later.
Sharp inter-play between forwards and backs ended with Mapimpi putting a kick in behind Ulster’s defensive line and Keyter finished brilliantly, with Masuku’s conversion making it 14-7.
Masuku then kicked a penalty but Treadwell’s score put Ulster back in contention approaching the hour mark before Mbonambi struck after referee Ben Whitehouse punished Henderson for a high tackle and Hume following a dust-up with Sharks flanker Vincent Tshituka, who was also yellow-carded.
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Now THAT is some beautiful rugby. @sharksrugby lead as Eduan Keyter finishes a delightful move 😍#BKTURC #URC | #SHAvULS pic.twitter.com/mutNyUJxMM
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) March 23, 2024
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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