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Game two on tour for the winless Sharks and things are truly starting to get desperate for John Plumtree and his not-so-merry men.
The Tahs started like a house on fire against the Bulls last week, before succumbing to the inevitable Loftus poison in the second half. They’ll be playing their first home game of the season and will be keen to atone for that loss, despite fatigue and jet lag playing their part.
The Sharks have only won once in Sydney – bizarrely back in 2000, the year they finished last! They’ll need to overturn a huge amount of history, not to mention their current woeful form, in order to walk away with any points.
Kick-off in Sydney is at 10h40 SA time.
Waratahs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Ben Mowen, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Rob Horne.
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Andrew Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Waylon Murray.
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nathan Pearce (Australia), Steve Hardy (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
funny feeling Mvoves is gonna play
@robdylan (Comment 1) : I haven’t posted for a game yet this year. I too have a funny feeling…..I think the Sharks are going to pull this one out. I still think there are way too many individualistic players on the team, but Smit at 2 for Bissie is a really good start.
C’mon you Sharks moffies! I picked you on Superbru.
@McLovin (Comment 3) : You can’t even blame that on going with your heart. Silly silly!
Any chance that Bissie might get a splinter in his butt and not make it on the field?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 4) : Decided to change tactics. Going for 2 or 3 upsets every week on SB. So far it’s been a disaster. There’s been upsets, but not the games I picked.
@McLovin (Comment 6) : hahaha sailing terminology, you’re banging a corner, or taking a flyer…..
It never works! Well maybe for a week or two, but not a whole season. 
GO SHARKS !!!
Good luck Sharks, how long can you keep a good team down. I cannot understand why you struggle so much this year. Just do it. Enjoy the game and may the Sharks break the streak.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 – GO BOYS !!! 16,17,18,19,20,21,22 – TAKE IT HOME BOYS !!!
@superBul (Comment 9) : thanks dude – good of you.
GO SHARKS!
Ruan at 9… let’s see
At the office, no live feed for me, keep me posted guys !!!
3-0 Tahs
Go SHARKIES!!!
Muller not rolling away
Good morning all
3-3
Goode drop!
3-3
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 17) : howzit
@robdylan (Comment 19) : so that drop was Goode
some average Sharks defence… lucky not to concede a try
A Goode drop !!!
@robdylan (Comment 22) :
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 21) : it was indeede
Adi penalised for not rolling away
right in front and Barnes is on target. 6-3
Come on Adi now you owe us big time, but you can do it !!!
Goode is the best player on the field for the Sharks
Smit at 2 and Sharks scrum getting p*£sed… so much for turbo reverse
Are we losing yet?
noone here? Everyone has given up already
Ive joined the NRL game on SB, and will be supporting those Sharks aswell
Keep in mind that I have no insight into the who and what and when of rugby league 
@klempie (Comment 31) : yes
@Dancing Bear (Comment 4) :
@robdylan (Comment 34) :
@robdylan (Comment 32) : I’m around
Sharks have a penalty right in front
Goode lines up
and it’s 6-6
wow, the Aussie commentators are really laying into Chubs…
Hows the LMS picks for this game?
Kind request. The dropping of all Goode puns. Thanks in advance.
bugger me, but Swannie is built like a tank!
@klempie (Comment 43) : can’t promise anything
What a moron.
and fucknut du Plessis is off for a trip.
Geez. The Dup brothers are BOTH idiots.
@klempie (Comment 43) : I havent seen any goode puns here, most of them are in bad taste
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 49) : You’re not helping matters.
@robdylan (Comment 44) : No wonder his so slow
Goode off. HAHAHAHA. Man I love this team.
and now Goode does as well
and Muller goes down now too… neck
so now both mullets are off
Bis on, Alberts off
Lucky getout for the Sharks.
Tahs really duffed that.
KANKO!!!
KANKOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA
13 men and the man saves the day. LMAO
@robdylan (Comment 47) : @robdylan (Comment 53) : this is not goode
hmmmm….he was miles offside though.
try to Kanks
@klempie (Comment 48) : Think they are both DOF
Ruan misses the conversion.
pienaar misses conv. 6-11
@klempie (Comment 61) : We need all the luck for now
Tahs looking very rattled now.
Sharks play better with 13
Sharks now have a 5 m scrum
@robdylan (Comment 68) :
Sharks have 5m scrum!!
Maybe we should just play without a prop and a flyhalf in future.
some dodgy beards in the sharks team
C’mon you sharks!
KANKO ALMOST to the line!!
We win a penalty.
WTF is going on??
kankie bloody nearly scores again
Pienaars kick is good, keep it up buggers
Ruan setting up from the 22, 7 metres from left hand touch…
@robdylan (Comment 75) : Pass the ball Kanko
Ru kicks it! 6-14, Jannie back on
@klempie (Comment 77) : Over!!!!
6-14
Jannie comes back on. Hopefully he’ll be red carded soon.
@klempie (Comment 80) : Jannie comes on and the Tahs score a try
Burgess scores.
Get Jannie off the damn field!!
and now the Tahs look to have scored
Tahs 13 – 14 Sharks
yeah, that’s a try. 11-14, conversion to come
make that 13-14
all came from Ru letting the kick-off bounce
Goode is back
@robdylan (Comment 87) : Sub Ruan and bring Rory on…
another TMO call
looks like a try
@robdylan (Comment 90) : 4 What ?
@Charlie (Comment 92) : And 4 Who ?
I personally don’t think that was conclusive.
and it’s awarded – try to Carter.
18-14, kick to come
kick is missed… 18-14 it stays
@klempie (Comment 94) : What did you think, they’re playing in Oz mate
Goode just misses with another LONG drop
need to turn down the volume on these commentators before I bust a nut.
SHUT UP YOU BIASED WANKERS!
@robdylan (Comment 99) : See comment 97
HALFTIME
@robdylan (Comment 99) : ouch! My ears
So upto now, Kanko is the only try scorer for the Sharks
@robdylan (Comment 99) : rubs eardrum with his index finger
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 103) : That try he scored was awesome. Damn he’s fast!
HAHA. SS studio just proved the last try wasn’t a try with some simple graphics overlays.
the difference between these assholes and the New Zealanders last week couldn’t be more clear. The Kiwis did their utmost to be fair in what they said. The Aussies just let rip with one-eyed bullshit. No class. None whatsoever.
Blue 7 and Black 10, could switch jerseys and you’ll never notice it.
Time to send Jannie DUP home.
Is Cilliers on tour?
@klempie (Comment 106) : Marks and Goddard. Not gonna get a fair shake from those two…
I feel de moer in . How can they not afford neutral refs
@Loosehead (Comment 109) : no, he isn’t.
@superBul (Comment 111) : I’m glad you guys stuffed these bastards last week.
@robdylan (Comment 107) : Which is why I will never emigrate there. The majority of them are like that.
2nd half on!
I knew this was going to be a bad day when I woke up late.
Jannie duP is useless. He gives away penalties in the scrum and now if that isn’t enough he trips up a player and earns a penalty for the Tah’s and a yellow card for himself. Sharks need to get rid of him quickly. Why is Cilliers not travelling?
Botes and Beast are on for Keegs and Deon respectively
GO SHARKS
Jeepers but Kankowski is a good rugby player. We are truly blessed to have him
@klempie (Comment 114) : me neither.
Go Sharks!!
Joe looks eina
@robdylan (Comment 122) : He went wounded on tour
My best rugby buddy moved to Perth 2 years ago
SUB RUAN PLEASE !!!
get Stef off!
@Charlie (Comment 125) : HE MOAN TO PLAY 9 AND NOW ?
Apart from 7 mins when the Sharks were down to 13 this game’s just been so scrappy.
Come on Sharks! Show us your true colours!
Try Polota-Nau.
well, that one was a pretty clear try. Polotu-nau under the sticks.
Andy Goode is useless. Sharks should have stayed with Monty and about 1/2 the price.
@klempie (Comment 130) :
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 129) : they just did
Not Good!!
25-14
@Loosehead (Comment 132) : I would have played for free
Look at the names in our team gentlemen. How Plum’s job is safe for 3 years is truly beyond me.
@robdylan (Comment 134) :
@Charlie (Comment 137) :
tense few minutes – TRY SHARKS!!
@Charlie (Comment 137) : TRY ADI!!
ADI SCORES!!!
That was good reward for good continuity. More of that please Sharks.
25-21
Beautiful play
Bis on for John and VERY prominent in that move
That was never a try at halftime. Never I replayed it a few times and no ball was grounded. Kanko had his elbow there. They commentators at Supersport said it was never a try and the TMO was a liar to have given that as a try. Cheats. Never agree to this reffing system. Bring back neutral refs.
@robdylan (Comment 143) : @klempie (Comment 142) : @lostfish (Comment 141) :
WHOOOOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!
MASE KIND VANNIE KRAAIFONTEIN !!!
Aussie commentators saying something about the Rebels wanting the Dup brothers!! SAVED!!
Silly discipline at times but the Sharks looks 10 times better.
Why why why did Adi just kick???
15 phases to score…Great play & patience Sharks !!!
Adi just kicks the ball away. No man.
Also good to see Deysel on carrying the ball well up just before Adi kicked it away.
@lostfish (Comment 153) : Just thinking the same thing.
@Morné (Comment 152) : looks can be deceiving
@klempie (Comment 151) :
They can have em for free 
Dup brothers linked to Melbourne
Penalty Sharks fooooor….taking out the chaser.
Goode setting up in the middle of the field 8 metres inside Tahs territory.
C’mon Sharks!!!
@klempie (Comment 160) : Off the left hand post
Now we’re back to stock standard Sharks ping-pong.
Come on Sharks.
Maybe time to play the youngsters in the next game.
Time left ?
@Charlie (Comment 165) : 13 mins
Sharks discipline has improved in the last 20 or so.
Lucky number 13
Penalty sharks for offside, Ruan took it quickly and eventually wasted with the ref calling a pass forward. Even the Aussies think it was harsh.
ref robs us of a try
Don’t think this ref has a clue
@klempie (Comment 169) : No replay of the forward pass though which is unsurprising.
@klempie (Comment 167) : since John went off… you notice that?
Wolla is BACK!
Rory on for Goode
@robdylan (Comment 173) : I didn’t but interesting point.
both these teams are pathetic! I’d rather watch the try fest @ ellis park that this ping pong…
Am glad they have take that donkey swannie off! What a useless player…
@klempie (Comment 169) : Cheating ref and that was not a try before halftime either.
Points should be taken off the other team to rectify that. 
Maybe that is the only way to get these refs to handle a game proper, mind you that was the TMO that had access to watch the replay over and over. Cheat. 
10 mins to go.
@robdylan (Comment 173) :
makes we wonder….
Waylon on for Swannie
@Megatron (Comment 177) : Our favourite troll returns.
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 180) : me too
@Megatron (Comment 177) : Go back to keo where they enjoy your childess comments
jpp is uninspiring too, something has taken the fire off that kid! Better move
Nice dancing by ST there.
@Puma (Comment 184) : meant childish
@robdylan (Comment 183) : post coming???
Too SLOOOOOOOW. Come on Sharks! Pick it up!
JdP just threw that ball away near the try line…
Okay back to RT Megatron the troll has arrived
@Puma (Comment 184) : what are you smiling about? Your team is playing the biggest load of shyte.
Knock-on.
Time left please ?
@Megatron (Comment 192) : They’re playing better than last week which is all I’m prepared to ask for at this point.
@Megatron (Comment 177) :
Ahem, so why are you watching it then?
@Charlie (Comment 194) : 5 mins.
@Salmonoid (Comment 196) : It’s what trolls do.
Assistant ref cocks up again but this time we benefit.
HOLY MOLY
Why is that NOT a penalty try?!
@klempie (Comment 182) : did you see the saders WIN?
How was that not a penalty try???
THAT SHOULD BE A PENALTY TRY!!!
@Salmonoid (Comment 196) : i think they call it morbid fascination!
FUCK!!!! Deliberate knock-down by a Tah. Beale off for a deliberate try-saving knockdown. Not a penalty try cos it was 30 metres out. Sharks take the lineout.
I smell a penalty try. How about you guys?
Ref calls obstruction on Bis for a lineout infringement. Once again, can’t see why. This ref has robbed us blind.
Sharks got screwed by the ref again
@robdylan (Comment 204) : beale was going for the intercept!!!!! Hahahahah
The Sharks LOSE again!!
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PENALTY TRY………BLOODY CHEATING REF.
Even the Aussie commentators are saying THAT WAS A PENALTY TRY. NOW saying it again. All he got was a damn yellow.
We HAVE to go back to neutral refs. Sharks should have won this game now. Cheaters should be ashamed of themselves. Bugger feel mad now.
Game over. The ref wins.
@Megatron (Comment 205) :
But then why say you would rather be doing omething else.
@klempie (Comment 207) : nope, that was me farting
fucking burgled
Fitzy reckons the Tahs were very lucky to get away with it.
Jeez that was blind
@robdylan (Comment 215) : Indeed.
Time for a shower.
@klempie (Comment 206) : That was a shocker by the ref. We should get our points back. Maybe some system should be worked out if the refs get it wrong. That should have been us with a win there. Never have I seen such a blatant cheating ref. He has to be the worst. Even Aussies said that was a penalty try.
Is there going to be a VC thread later??
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 221) : of course
Tough luck guys – you deserved the win.
@Morné (Comment 223) : We did play like we wanted it more than the three previous games which I guess is positive.
@robdylan (Comment 215) : For bloody sure Rob. We were really robbed there of a win. NO try at half time and we should have had a penalty try on the end there. Bugger two cheating Aussie refs. The TMO and the ref. Australians should hang their heads in shame there. Damn Oz cheats.
I kinda feel sorry for the players. Later guys, its sulking time.
@Morné (Comment 223) : thanks. This is even harder than last week, when we didn’t look like we were trying.
This week we gave it everything and should have won.
Ref cheated. Can’t say it any plainer than that and see no reason to sugar-coat.
Sharks were robbed, when the Aussie commentators even admit that it should have been a penalty try then you know the ref is kak.
@Morné (Comment 223) : Thanks Morne.
@robdylan (Comment 222) : Kwaai
Eeeiishhhh guys you were robbed, not once a few times , this should have been a easy win. But i hope we (Bulls) never play a Aussie side with 3 Australian officials.
It is like playing against 18 players, they even had you down to 13 too.
Really sorry
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 226) : I do too. They were superb. For the most part.
Changes next week… Got to start with Deysel at 6 and Alberts at 7. Also, I fear, we need to have Smit on the bench. Can’t fight the evidence on that one. Must have Mvovo somewhere in the back 3 as well.
Oh and can somebody make Adi Jacobs president?
@Salmonoid (Comment 213) : read carefully boet, i said i prefer the try-fest between the chiefs & the lions rather than this boring, kick the sh*t out of the ball boring game!
@robdylan (Comment 227) : Take heart from the fact that the team played rugga today.They really really tried to win it and well, in the end it was taken from them not by a better team but from a tollie of a ref
SS studio guys on.
They just replayed the last lineout. Apparently it was Jannie offside which was bull since the lineout was over and they had formed a maul to which he was still bound.
@superBul (Comment 231) : thanks boet. But we pick ourselves up and carry on. At least we know now that this team is 80% ok. If there was truly no spirit left, that 3rd try would have sunk us.
Would have been so much worse if that had happened in a season that wasn’t already a write-off.
Pienaar I thought looked good, Kanko performing again, Adi hitting gaps, Alberts getting back to some form.
Things are improving, hang in there.
@superBul (Comment 231) : Thanks boet.
@Megatron (Comment 233) : Why? I watched that 140 pointer and my first feeling was T20 for rugby. Tries are cheap when you score that many. That’s basic economics.
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 234) : agree.
@Megatron (Comment 233) : begone, troll! Don’t you have small children to frighten?
@Morné (Comment 237) : yes! Amen. At this rate we can even keep the coach!
@robdylan (Comment 241) : Woah big guy! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
@Megatron (Comment 233) :
Ok I went back and read carefully, this is what you wrote
“both these teams are pathetic! I’d rather watch the try fest @ ellis park that this ping pong…”
No mention of the word prefer, but RATHER is clearly there.
Agreed, much improved, but come on, we have to start doing something with the first phase ball. We had really good first phase ball to work with in this game and never looked threatening. Our first phase seemed predictable, which is really too bad because the platform was set.
Guys i just want to make a statement here. If any South African team plays a NZ or AUS team i will support. We need each other. They stand together we must too.
There is a new rugby site supporting the Lions , they sadly even wish you injuries to players who was once their own.
Hope i never go down that low.
When we play against each other then off course i will shout my lungs out for the Bulls. But hopefully be gracious enough to praise the winners.
Good day will join you again when Sharks play.
@Salmonoid (Comment 243) :
@superBul (Comment 245) : join us anytime….
@superBul (Comment 245) : Are you sure you’re a Bulls supporter? You certainly don’t think like one.
@superBul (Comment 245) : +1
hmmmmm almost 6 a.m. wonder if I should even try to sleep today.
@superBul (Comment 245) : Preach brother bul!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 250) : How is the old US of A anyway? How’s that health reform going?
@superBul (Comment 245) : good work. And though I’ve been bad in the past, I too am supporting the Bulls this year. But only against overseas teams and the Cheetahs
Some of the guys on WTR are a little ridiculous.
ok – I’m off. See you guys later
@klempie (Comment 252) : Sweet, perfect really, Government has handled responsibility so well in the past, just makes sense to make them responsible for the health and well being of the population.
@Salmonoid (Comment 243) : hooray a noddy badge for you mr pedantic…you know exactly what i was saying! Boring rugby is boring rugby, period!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 255) :
@Megatron (Comment 256) : You’re the limited attention span kind aren’t you?
@klempie (Comment 257) : Of course I can’t be responsible for anything I post right now, got back from the pubs 6 hours ago and still going.
@klempie (Comment 258) : Nah, more like the attention craving kind, in a childish sort of irritating way.
@klempie (Comment 258) : With modern medication there is still hope though.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 261) :
Alright, I think I am off to bed now.
My heart has finally stopped pounding after that finish. Very disappointed that it seems to have come down to some very poor decisions by the referee and TMO. Oh well, now must move on. Cheers everyone. 
@klempie (Comment 258) : @Dancing Bear (Comment 261) : how good is that andy goode?! A walking yellow card your boy, hahahaha
@Megatron (Comment 264) : Hey Keo, what are you doing on this blog, don’t you have your own where you attract cretins with IQs under 80?
@Baldrick (Comment 265) : Megatron is actually a Sharks supporter.
He´s the kind who has moved to NZ and chosen the most successful side as “his team”, but is just hiding behind his Crusaders persona so that he can spew venom against his own side without looking like a total idiot and a traitor.
Our Megatron will no doubt disagree, but it´s so bloody obvious. Why else would someone hang around another team´s blog?
2 people cost us the win today. Ruan’s mistake of letting the ball bounce from the kick off when we were 14-6 up, allowed the Tahs to get some momentum. Up to that point they were making mistakes and looking rattled.
Then the ref (Paul Marks) robbed us. Loads of Tahs forward passes were not blown and then ours which wasn’t a forward pass was called as forward. Not to mention the non award of a penalty try and the very dodgy penalty against us for a non obstruction right on their line.
@Megatron (Comment 264) :
I find people like you so interesting: like reading a profile of a criminal, your existence reveals so much about the less exalted aspects of human nature that exist in all of us, but are emphasised in just an unfortunate few.
Are you married? Do you have kids or pets?
@Big Fish (Comment 268) : What’s your diagnosis doctor?