SA U20 star Haashim Pead's try after the hooter proved the difference as the Lions snatched a 23-22 win over the Sharks in Durban.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen hailed SA U20 star Haashim Pead after his match-winning try against the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship (URC) derby on Saturday.
The coach also praised the overall maturity a young Lions team displayed after being reduced to 14 men for 20 minutes against a Sharks side brimming with Springboks, and eventually winning 23-22.
The Lions got off to a flyer at Kings Park, scoring a penalty and two tries to go 15-0 up in the first nine minutes. But when flanker Ruan Venter received a red card for a high tackle on Aphelele Fassi, the Sharks scored two tries, a third being disallowed, to take the lead for the first time.
Pead’s try in the corner from a pick-and-go after the hooter proved the difference, after he had replaced scrumhalf Morné van den Berg, who also had a strong game.
Pead a ‘special’ player
“We are super excited about all our nines. Haash is a special player, we’ve been working hard with him in quickness, in game plan,” Van Rooyen said of Pead, who lit up the U20 World Championship this year, racking up 232 metres from 15 carries during the pool stages to surpass Antoine Dupont’s record.
Pead also scored six tries and created four assists to be named Player of the Tournament.
Van Rooyen said the 20-year-old had been exposed to quality rugby at URC and Challenge Cup level with the Lions, and he had a grasp of what the future had in store for him.
“We are as excited about him as everyone is. I’m happy that he could make the difference today.”
Lions showed maturity against Sharks
The Lions coach said Venter’s red card was an unintentional mistake when the flanker perhaps switched off mentally.
“I felt in those 20 minutes we showed composure. Historically, we tend to get into our shell in adversity. I felt today the leaders really stepped up. Good solutions, good plans.”
Van Rooyen believed it helped that the red card came right before half-time, so they could use the break to make plans.
“We always felt from within we have good character and fight. But the maturity and decision-making in the heat of the battle increased.”
The coach also praised his side for the intentionality they showed in creating such a strong start in such a big away game.
