In a game that had everything from excellent team tries, individual brilliance, worrying injuries for Leinster (and Ireland) and a red card, Leinster prevailed in a 54-34 win over the Sharks.
So often we have seen Leinster have steamroll opposition in the RDS with ease, but the Sharks came to Dublin with ambition the second it kicked off.
With 13 tries in total, this game showed the strength of the South African teams, with no easy fixtures in the league. Despite still missing internationals, the Sharks produced a top performance away from home.
Leinster have needed bigger challenges to improve themselves, particularly where they have fallen short in Europe, and they sure got it today
Injuries before the game even kicked off will worry Leo Cullen, with Jack Conan pulled from the team in the warm-up, and further injuries to Jordan Larmour, Rhys Ruddock, Luke McGrath and Ryan Baird.
The younger players in Martin Moloney and Cormac Foley stepped up when needed, in what will be a hugely valuable experience.
Story Of The Game
Leinster started strong and had their first try through the impressive Jason Jenkins after five minutes to give them a 7-0 lead.
The Sharks, however, came to play and had their opening try from Aphelele Fassi five minutes later to draw them level.
Leinster’s discipline was costing them as the Sharks took the lead in the 22nd minute through a Boeta Chamberlain penalty, while injuries to Ruddock and Larmour will be cause for concern.
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Larmour’s replacement Garry Ringrose produced a moment of magic to cross over for Leinster’s second try, pushing the Sharks tackles out of his way to score.
The Sharks kept biting back and re-took the lead from a brilliant team try from a scrum finished by Werner Kok in the corner.
Four minutes later, Sharks had their third try as they tore Leinster apart once again, with Thaakir Abrahams going over.
Leinster weren’t finished scoring in the first half, and somehow went into halftime with the lead when Robbie Henshaw’s excellent Crossfield kick finding Ringrose for his second try of the game, with Sexton converting to give Leinster a 21-20 lead at half time.
A thriller at the RDS. After the visitors split Leinster open again, Garry Ringrose grabs his second try after a beautiful piece of skill from Robbie Henshaw. #LEIvSHA #BKTURC
HT: Leinster 21-20 Sharks
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📱 https://t.co/vTeSwye8Ra pic.twitter.com/2HduJXqYCo— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 8, 2022
Leinster had their bonus point through Andrew Porter six minutes into the second half, but further injuries to Ryan Baird in a worrying collision, while scrum-half McGrath didn’t return for the second half.
This game kept delivering, and Abrhams had one of the tries of the season with his solo kick and chase bringing the South African side one behind.
An absolutely sensational try from Thaakir Abrahams for the Sharks in what is a brilliant game in Dublin. #LEIvSHA #BKTURC
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📱 https://t.co/vTeSwye8Ra pic.twitter.com/BHLjxqUa2n— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 8, 2022
Minutes later, Leinster win a penalty five meters from the Sharks try line, and after pushing and pushing, Henshaw got in on the try's from Charlie Ngatai’s kick.
The tries just keep coming and Robbie Henshaw and Rob Russell – on his first start at the RDS - take Leinster’s tally to six with a quickfire double. #LEIvSHA #BKTURC
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💻 https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB
📱 https://t.co/vTeSwye8Ra pic.twitter.com/8UmNF8AvGU— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 8, 2022
Rob Russell, Sexton and John McKee tries secured victory for Leinster, while Fassi added another in a 13 try thriller.
A red card for Sharks Rohan Janse Van Rensburg for a dangerous tackle on Ross Byrne was the only sour point in a game that has shown the high quality the URC has to offer.
SEE ALSO: A Forlorn Looking Graham Rowntree Blames Munster "Ill-Discipline" In Loss To Connacht
