At the Dexcom Stadium, the new season witnessed a remarkable comeback by Connacht in a thrilling, high-scoring match against the Sharks. Following a 27-point streak by the Sharks in the second quarter, Connacht turned the tables in the second half with their own 26-point surge toward victory. Although the Sharks managed to secure a well-earned bonus point, Connacht also obtained a bonus point, taking their season tally to seven points from two matches. This win helped build momentum and demonstrated Connacht’s adventurous style of rugby.
Despite an initial energetic performance, Connacht struggled against the Sharks’ formidable defensive speed, strong counter-rucking skills, impressive carries and extensive kicking. The Sharks had recently secured the Currie Cup, and their battle-toughened demeanour was evident. However, travel fatigue eventually took its toll on them.
Nevertheless, Connacht will benefit greatly from the confidence this crucial early-season victory brings, eliminating concerns about potential disadvantages the three-sided Dexcom stadium may have while under renovation this season. Their calm demeanour and four-try score in the second half reflect their diverse attacking strategy, with vital tries made by Dave Heffernan due to John Muldoon’s expertly executed catch-and-drives. The tactical 6-2 bench split proved its worth as Cathal Forde seamlessly replaced the outhalf in the second half, with all forward replacements making significant contributions.
Their second-half rally also featured an enhanced defensive performance, as exhibited by Paul Boyle and Dylan Tierney-Martin’s late turnover penalties that discouraged the Sharks. Amidst the calm autumnal evening in Galway, with barely any wind, the conditions were perfect. Despite minor local support for the Sharks, signs of Connacht’s ambitious intentions were evident as most of the reduced 4,217 spectators were accommodated on the side of the greyhound stadium, rather than the terracing behind the goal area at Bohermore and College Road.
There was noticeable optimism following Connacht’s 10-try split and earning of two points at Thomond Park. They started off strong, but by the interval, both the team and the home supporters appeared visibly shocked as the Sharks’ ferocity on defence changed the momentum of the game. Connacht were then dominated by centre Andre Esterhuizen’s power play and fullback Jordan Hendrikse’s exceptional long-range goal kicking skills, which led them to a 27-7 deficit at half-time.
Jason Jenkins and Gerbrandt Grobler displayed their familiarisation with Irish rugby, having spent time with Munster and in Jenkins’ case, also Leinster. Despite initially dropping the kick-off, Grobler became an increasingly dominant force in the match.
The game saw a collaborative effort from Forde and Piers O’Conor, culminating in O’Conor breaking free ahead of the subsequent scrum. This enabled Connacht to make the first score by tapping into a corner penalty, with hooker Heffernan taking the lead after a successful hit on Niall Murray, aided by backs, leading to an impressive conversion by Josh Ioane.
Attempting to evade Santiago Cordero’s ball catches and sidestep strategies, Connacht pursued their high-consequence, high-payoff attacking strategy against the Sharks’ similarly risky, fast-paced defence strategy. Despite some initial progress, the mounting pressure from the Sharks saw Connacht driven back into defence by James Venter and Vincent Tshituka.
The Connacht halves increasingly relied on high balls, which ultimately led to a borderline knock-on call and penalty against Cian Prendergast. The Sharks gained an advantage, bringing Esterhuizen into play courtesy of scrumhalf Bradley Davids’ straight, lengthy pass, who then powerfully bypassed Ben Murphy and Ioane.
Following Ioane’s restart, which regrettably went out on the full, Hendrikse capitalised on the subsequent scrum penalty from the halfway mark. From a goal-line restart, Esterhuizen struck once more, aided by Eduan Keyter’s space-creating manoeuvres, powering through O’Conor and Denis Buckley, leaving Siya Masuku to convert yet again.
In the previous Saturday’s Currie Cup final, Hendrikse managed a straw-clinching penalty from a distance of 60 metres. In a subsequent event when Conor Oliver was charged for failing to withdraw after Jennings’ long kick, he secured an impressive 63-metre penalty. The scene was akin to observing Galway on the high veld.
An unusual mishap by Cordero was penalised, even though the Pumas’ fullback made an attempt to cover Keyter, which saw Ben Murphy hastily deflect the ball out of play. Despite the suggestion of an unlawful crawl, a determined push from Grobler assisted by Dylan Richardson saw him earning a try.
Regardless, the conversion by Masuku left Connacht with a significant 20-point deficit. However, the home team responded immediately after the break. Forde took over as outhalf after Ioane’s interval substitution due to an HIA, and he was unreplaced. David Hawkshaw took over as inside centre. A quick manoeuvre by Forde allowed Hansen to collect the ball and provide inner support for a try that was consequently converted.
A recurring theme in the latter half emerged when Oliver managed a penalty in the jackal that led to a corner kick. David O’Connor received a pass from Heffernan in a reduced lineout and the other backs joined the action until an energised hooker managed to sneak off to the blindside to end emphatically.
The home team gained more confidence when Forde missed the conversion, particularly when Jennings intercepted a lengthy pass from substitute scrumhalf Tian Meyer, and traversed an 80-metre to complete a try unobstructed by Keyter.
Surprisingly, the game’s deficit was reduced to a single point and despite an overturned conclusion by Sam Illo due to a dubious knock by Coailin Blade, it was only a short-lived respite for the worn-out Sharks. Tierney-Martin’s penalty tap at close range was followed by Oisín Dowling just hitting the try line.
The victory was confirmed by a Forde penalty, though Masuku’s 45-metre penalty at the final kick secured the Sharks a consolation bonus point, well-deserved in their loss.
In the game, at the 4-minute mark, Heffernan notched up a try and Ioane added the extras for a 7-0 lead. By the 22nd minute, Esterhuizen secured a try and Masuku equalled with a conversion at 7-7. Three minutes later, Hendrikse added a penalty to take the lead at 7-10. The 29th minute saw another try from Esterhuizen and Masuku’s conversion extended their lead to 7-17. Six minutes later, following another Hendrikse penalty, the score was 7-20. Grobler registered a try at the 38th minute, and with another Masuku conversion, the half-time score was 7-27. Immediately after half-time, Forde scored a try and a conversion to pull the score back to 14-27. By the 51st minute, Heffernan scored another try taking the score to 19-27. Jennings’ try and Forde’s conversion four minutes later reduced the deficit to 26-27. At 71 minutes, Dowling’s try and Forde’s conversion regained the lead at 33-27. As the match neared its end, Forde scored a penalty and Masuku added another to make the final score 36-30.
Connacht’s team consisted of players like Santiago Cordero, Mack Hansen, Piers O’Conor, Cathal Forde, and Shane Jennings, with Josh Ioane and Ben Murphy in crucial roles. Replacements during the game included David Hawkshaw for Ioane at half-time; Peter Dooley, Sam Illo, and Shamus Hurley-Langton at 56 minutes; Dylan Tierney-Martin and Oisín Dowling at 61 minutes; Caolin Blade at 65; and finally Paul Boyle at 73.
Sharks’ team featured Jordan Hendrikse, Eduan Keyter, Jurenzo Julius, Andre Esterhuizen, and Ethan Hooker, alongside Siya Masuku and Bradley Davids.
In the game, Corne Rahl substituted Jenkins and Tian Meyer came on for Davids, both at the 49-minute mark. Later, at 61 minutes, Hanro Jacobs, Fez Mbatha, and Trevor Nyakane were brought on in place of Dreyer, Richardson, and Mchunu respectively. After a further period, Reniel Hugo replaced Grobler and Tinotenda Mavesere took Venter’s position, both at the 73rd minute. Notably, Gurswin Wehr did not see any play time during this game. The match referee for this game was Federico Vedovelli, affiliated with FIR.