Super Rugby 2019: Sunwolves Exhibit A Bold Performance Agains Lions with a 24-37 Finish (23/3/19)

Last evening, in the second match of their Super Rugby 2019 campaign, the the HITO-Communications SUNWOLVES returned to Singapore’s National Stadium to put up a strong fight against the Lions, but were eventually downed in the second half in spite of their efforts.

In the first half of the match, the Sunwolves took an early lead with a penalty in spite of being denied a try opportunity by the TMO in the 4th minute. The Lions faced a similar situation with the TMO in the 9th minute despite a powerful driving maul that led them across the line. Undeterred, the Lions learnt from their mistake a little after the 12th minute as captain Malcom Marx crossed over to equalise.

The next 10 minutes saw the teams engage in fairly cautious play styles, but as the countdown continued, it was the calmer Lions team taking advantage five minutes before half-time when Marx crossed the line again. Although the Lions failed to convert this time, Marx’s two tries out of two opportunities brought the score to Sunwolves 7, Lions 12 at half-time.

The second half again started strong for teh Sunwolves, with Hayden Parker converting a penalty to close the gap between them and the Lions, but was quickly countered by Lions scrumhalf Nic Groom as he darted through the Sunwolves’ defences to cross the line and extend the lead to Lions 17 Sunwolves 10. Growing ever more confident, the Lions continued a brilliant display with beautiful one-two passing from the 10m line, flowing through the Sunwolves’ defences with Lionel Mapoe touching down.

Not to be discouraged, the Sunwolves refreshed their team with substitutes that led to Rahboni Warren Vosayaco scoring a try. The conversion was made by Hayden Parker and Sunwolves brought their score up to 17 against Lions 29 in the 63rd minute. The burst of energy was simply not enough for the Sunwolves as the Lions ultimately overpowered them to extend the lead to a full-time score of Sunwolves 24, Lions 37, a good match and good display from both teams as the crowd cheered on.

Says Sunwolves Head Coach Tony Brown: “We had to break down the scrum as well, as there was not much change in the second half. So, we need to have a thought on what we are doing here, breakdown and try to improve in that area for a start. Obviously, it was not a very good scrum and the head is under pressure. Same as the start, we will try to win every game and we will play the Waratahs next week and we will put the players in place, we will prepare them well and they will go out there and try to win the game. Then we will look to the next week then we look to the next week then we look to the next week. We believe we have got a team that is good enough to win every game that we play and that’s the way we play and that’s the way we prepare.”

Says Sunwolves stand in Captain Dan Pryor: “Obviously the news is big but it doesn’t change much for us here, we still have a year after this so at the start of the year we will plan with the coach from here on to what we want to do. It hasn’t changed, the boys are up and they always want to give everything every week.”

Says Lions Head Coach Swys de Bruin: “What was the key message, I think the big thing is to plan for the week. We played two locks at the loose forward position so the big message at half time was to stick to the structure and the plan, and they did. I told the two young forwards to come up who could move a bit more and they made a big difference. I must say that they came on at the right time, and that made a big difference to us. I’ve been very fortunate and blessed for the last 35 years, to have been all over the show from Washington, South Africa and Singapore – what a wonderful city. The friendliness of people, I’m very impressed. If we could do something with the heat, it’ll be the best in the world. I was really impressed with every single thing. It’s a really different world.”

Photo credit: Singapore Sports Hub