National Stadium
Kallang, Singapore
14 May 2016
On a hot and humid evening in Singapore Sports Hub, the Sunwolves almost pulled off an upset win over the more experienced South African Stormers on 14 May 2016 in the Super Rugby League game.
Introducing the players, with their vital stats flashed on the huge LCD screens
as they run out into the pitch from the Players' Tunnel...
In this match, Sunwolves rested their captain Shota Horie, giving Game Captaincy to Harumichi Tatekawa, who led the side for the first time. Timothy Bond returns after a ban to take over from Ono, and in the back-line, Atsushi Hiwasa comes in for Kaito Shigeno.
Adorable Sunwolves fan spotted using FaceTime with his friends...
While the adults grab a beer and toast to a good match ahead...
The Stormers kicking off to a shaky start...
In the beginning of the game, the Sunwolves which were the tournament newcomers, had a commanding 17-3 lead before the Stormers took control and used set plays to gain points. The Sunwolves wasted an 18-point lead when they lost to the Cheetahs at the same venue in Singapore two months ago and the Singapore Sports Hub supporters feared another breakdown when the Stormers scored a try off the back of a driving maul and also had the rugby conversion to reduce the margin to seven points with 20 minutes left of the game.
The future players in a game during half-time...
Rough play at times as the pressure intensifies...
Injury time as play was stopped momentarily...
The Sunwolves had the chance to get more points from a penalty that would have given them a 10-point lead with three minutes to go before the game ends, but opted instead for the lineout and paid poorly when the Stormers launched one last raid in the final minute which ended in managing to draw the game.
Much of the play was just mere inches away from the goal posts...
Just one more centimetre...
The game was super exciting at the closing stages. Sunwolves looked certain to pull off a huge upset only to fade in the last 20 minutes on a humid night in Singapore. South Africa’s Stormers' Vincent Koch scored a late try in the last minute as the team came from 14 points down to manage a 17-17 draw against the Super Rugby newcomer Sunwolves at Singapore's National Stadium. The supporters were disappointed that the Sunwolves did not get a win in Singapore - the team’s second home ground, besides Tokyo. The Stormers extended their lead in the group standings with the draw while denying the Sunwolves their second Super Rugby win.
At the final whistle, the Stormers cheered, while the Sunwolves stared in disbelief at the score...
While the Stormers walk off the pitch, to the cheers of their fans...
Fatigued faces on the Sunwolves team despite the draw.
They were all still at the pitch. Their disappointment was palpable...
Yet, moments later, they overcame their dejection to stand up again, and bow to thank their friends.
Incredible sportsmanship, Sunwolves!
Game Captain, Harumichi Tatekawa, being interviewed...
During the press conference, Head Coach Mark Hammett of Sunwolves and the Game Captain to Harumichi Tatekawa explained that with this experience, the team has gained newfound confidence, and will fight even harder to win the coming matches in the Super Rugby league.
Sunwolves' positive Head Coach Mark Hammett...
A disappointed Harumichi Tatekawa...
Stormers' coach, Robbie Fleck, frankly admits -
"We don't deserve the two points. We were not good enough."
And gives credit to the Sunwolves who "played really well".
We agree, Robbie. But your team played well too!
Keep up the good play, Sunwolves and Stormers!
Your fans will always be rooting for you...
