The Hurricanes were held to a 13-13 draw by South Africa's Sharks in a Super 14 encounter tonight, the game ending in controversy when the home side were denied a game-winning try by the referee.

After the full-time hooter had sounded, Hurricanes centre Conrad Smith was tackled by Bradley Barritt before he received a Hosea Gear pass within two metres of the tryline.

Referee Paul Marks ruled no foul had taken place and blew for fulltime with the scores level, despite the fact Wellington's Thomas Waldrom also appeared to ground the ball after Stefan Terblanche knocked the ball back behind the tryline.

"I don't know about the last call, I'm sure it will be reviewed on talkback (radio), but I guess that's one of those things that happens," Smith said in a televised interview.

"We didn't play that well in the first half but credit to us we fixed it and came back."

Wellington captain Rodney So'oialo said his side just had to accept the decision.

"I guess it's just one of those things that you have to get on with," So'oialo said.

"You can't change that call so that's just unfortunate.

"But any points, particularly considering the conditions and the way the Sharks played, we'll take the two points."

Marks also awarded a controversial penalty try to the Sharks in the 71st minute after he ruled the Hurricanes had collapsed a maul near the line.

Television replays suggested the Durban-based side had collapsed it themselves.

The South African side also had replacement flanker Epi Taione sent off for a headbutt in the 65th minute, while Hurricanes prop Neemia Tialata had been sinbinned five minutes earlier for a late tackle.

Hurricanes hooker Andrew Hore had driven over for a try with five minutes remaining after a period of sustained pressure from Wellington, who should have been awarded at least one penalty try themselves with the Sharks producing several professional fouls.

Sharks' replacement scrumhalf Rory Kockott had the chance to seal the game with three minutes remaining but his penalty bounced off the upright. Ruan Pienaar and Jimmy Gopperth traded early penalties in the first half as both sides struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the greasy conditions.

"It was really wet and slippery out there and we had quite a hard night, especially with the last 20 minutes when were down to 14 and we're not happy with the draw, but we'll take it," Sharks captain Johann Muller said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP