Australian prime minister Scott Morrison‘s full-blooded passion for the Sharks was on show as his beloved club stole victory from the Eels after the siren in Sydney’s south.
When Cronulla second-rower Teig Wilton burst onto a Matt Moylan short ball and crashed over for a try with 56 seconds left on the clock to level the scores at 16 apiece, Australia’s leader was spotted hurling his Sharks scarf around like a lasso.
And Morrison’s excitement was probably almost enough to make Shark Park shake when gun recruit Nicho Hynes slotted a conversion after the siren to mark round two with a remarkable victory.
He was among the thousands belting out Up, up, Cronulla in celebration of a gripping 18-16 win.
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“The PM is up and about!” said Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane when Wilton crossed for his try.
“She’s not over; there’s a kick from out wide.
“But it’s a game that deserves a grandstand finish!”
The game was over when the conversion sailed between the sticks, Ginnane declaring “Hynes the hero” and “Cronulla the victor”.
“They are celebrating like it’s a grand final!” Ginnane added.
“Drink this in, Cronulla fans.”
However, a host of people were irked by Morrison’s wild celebration.
“This try has been ruined by the prime minister … waving his stupid scarf!” radio presenter Nic Kelly posted on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/nicwkelly/status/1505095454337695746
Hynes’ post-siren kick was the Sharks’ only successful conversion of the match, with the former Storm playmaker failing to add the extras on three attempts.
It was Hynes’ first win in Cronulla colours and the crafty halfback played a crucial hand, pulling off a no-look flick pass in the 58th minute to send Connor Tracy over for a try on the left edge before sealing victory with his kick.
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While the Eels fell short of grabbing back-to-back wins to start the season, they stunned onlookers with an exceptional try in the shadows of half-time.
Halfback Mitchell Moses chipped over Cronulla’s defence about 40m out, before fullback Clint Gutherson stormed onto the ball and batted it to five-eighth Dylan Brown.
The ball returned to the dangerous hands of Moses as Parramatta streamed down the pitch, the former Tiger tearing away to score.
“That is incredible! What a try, what a stunning try,” Ginnane said.
“And that turns this contest around.
“Moses, Gutherson, that is just beautiful!”
The Sharks will meet the Dragons in Wollongong in round three, while the Eels are set for a match against the Storm in Melbourne.
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