Sunwolves 21-20 Bulls: Yu Tamura penalty helps Sunwolves sink Bulls
Last Updated: 08/04/17 11:36am
Yu Tamura kicked a late penalty as Sunwolves of Japan beat the Pretoria-based Bulls 21-20 in round seven of Super Rugby.
Takaaki Nakazuru and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco touched down for Tokyo's franchise, while the South African side scored two tries of their own through Burger Odendaal and Travis Ismaiel.
The win was the Sunwolves' first of the 2017 season, while the Bulls have now lost all but one of their games so far this campaign.
Vosayaco got on the end of a quick break by the hosts to grab the opening try after just six minutes, but it did not take the Bulls long to cross the line themselves as Odendaal raced clear following a lineout close to the halfway line.
Just one point separated the teams at the break and, with 16 minutes remaining, it appeared the Bulls were about to take charge as they grabbed their second try of the match.
After some excellent ball-handling by the visitors, they fed Ismaiel, who brushed off some weak home defending to score out wide.
When Tian Schoeman kicked the conversion, to take his own personal tally to 10 points, the Bulls led 20-11 and seemingly on their way to victory.
But back came the Sunwolves in the 68th minute with Nakazuru going over on the overlap, after preferring to take a scrum rather than a penalty.
Hayden Cripps kicked the conversion - to add to his brace of penalties earlier in the match - and with six minutes remaining Tamura slotted home the decisive kick.
The Bulls had a late opportunity to steal back the lead, only for replacement Francois Brummer to miss the kick.