The second match of the weekend, and again, we have a match that’s result will have a big impact on the play-off scenario.
The Reds, after their slow start to the season, finally have some players returning from injury and the team is playing some rugby that is winning them matches, but is far from the team we saw last year. They are still in the running for either top spot in the Australian conference, or should the Brumbies take that, they could still sneak in with a sixth spot finish on the log, a more difficult route to defending their title.
The Highlanders can mathematically still make the playoffs, but the chances are slim that they will take any further part after the pool stages. They could however, do a host of teams, including the Sharks, a big favour by beating the Reds today, and ruling the defending champions out of the playoffs.
Reds: 1. Greg Holmes,2. Saia Faingaa,3. James Slipper,4. Rob Simmons,5. Adam Wallace-Harrison (vc),6. Jake Schatz,7. Beau Robinson,8. Scott Higginbotham,9. Will Genia,10. Quade Cooper,11. Chris F’Sautia,12. Mike Harris,13. Anthony Faingaa,14. Dom Shipperley,15. Luke Morahan
Replacements : 16. James Hanson,17. Ben Daley,18. Radike Samo,19. Jarrad Butler,20. Ben Lucas,21. Ben Tapuai,22. Nick Frisby
Highlanders: 15. Ben Smith, 14. Kade Poki, 13. Siali Piutau, 12. Phil Burleigh, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Mike Delany, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Nasi Manu, 7. James Haskell, 6. Adam Thomson, 5. Nick Crosswell, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 3. Ma’afu Fia, 2. Andrew Hore, 1. Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Reserves: 16. Jason Rutledge, 17. Chris King, 18. Jarrad Hoeata, 19. Tim Boys, 20. Aaron Smith, 21. Chris Noakes, 22. Kenny Lynn.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistant Ref 1:Ian Smith
Assistant Ref 2:James Leckie
TMO : Steve Lesczcynski
Come on Reds, give me SB points
We really need the Highlanders to win this game without scoring a bonuspoint and without the Reds getting a bonuspoint.
Pity about the previous result. Would have preferred to keep the Crusaders in danger.
@Pokkel (Comment 2) : Yeah, that would be best for the sharks.
@Mutley (Comment 1) : SB me would also like that. Sharks fan me would not.
after 26min score still 3all
kom Hi-boys!!!!!
Did some what if calculations on pickandgo – if the Reds score even one bonus point, then we are screwed.
From what I can tell, the Sharks and the Reds can score max. 59 log points putting the Reds ahead on games won.
Hurricanes can get max. 58 points.
Basically the Reds can win this game, but not score a bonus point then the Sharks will have to get the 4 tries in both our games.
If the Reds score a bonus win here and next week (next week they probably will) then our Sharkies are out for the count.
Reds 16 – 3 Landers
Reds score 1 try.
Landers are really rubbish tonight.
And as I say that, Landers score a try
Conversion to come….
Conversion missed
Reds 16 – 8 Landers
64th minute
1 trie each
Reds 19 – 13 Landers
5mins. to go
Come on Highlanders
Got Reds by 5 on SB.
Reds win 19-13
Reds hold on by the skin of their teeth to walk away with the win
But somewhat of a silver lining, the Reds did not get the bonus point.
This means the Sharks will HAVE to go for the 4 tri bonus and then only worry about the win for both their games.
Reds did not get the bonus – Sharks still breathing off fumes
@JarsonX (Comment 15) : Had them by 7, and saders by 10 two wins and two margins so far!
@Bokhoring (Comment 18) : “breathing off fumes”
That’s about as accurate a statement as I’ve heard all week. 
Now would be a great time to get the Sharks Bulls thread up
Anyone
@FireTheLooser (Comment 17) : there would still be a glimmer of hope if we win and don’t get the BP… Very dim light very very far ….
Reds win without the bonus. Sharks now have to win and win with a bonus point too. If we do the same will apply for next week. Very tough I think. Also our travel will be a monster. If Stormers top the log which they probably will tomorrow. If make it in 6th spot, we have to travel to Oz to play the quarter there and then head straight back to Cape Town to play a semi there, if somehow we win that we will head straight back to NZ to play the final there..
Think that will be a bridge too far.
@Franshark (Comment 22) : Too dim for my liking.
That’s really hoping the Reds don’t score the bonus next week and the Canes don’t get a bonus either, leaving them both on 57.
If the Sharks want to progress, they’ll have to literally take the pink Bull by its horns tonight and scramble for 6 tries, at least we’ll fall short and get 4.
If we aim for 4 tries, we’ll score all three our tries in the second half, leaving the fourth try for too late.
@Puma (Comment 23) : you reckon the stormers will go to bloem and score their first bonus point 4 tries for the first tim this year…
I don’t think so…
They will stay 2nd…
If we qualify we probably play Brumbies, Chiefs, Crusaders\stormers…
Maybe we can fit in another trip to Twickenham seeing that we intend travelling the globe.