With much of the talk in this build-up week focusing on the fatigue that many “experts” feel must surely scupper the Sharks in Saturday’s Super Rugby semi-final, I wonder whether we shouldn’t at least consider the other side of the coin. Could the fact that they are playing well – and clicking – count in the Sharks’ favour, despite the toll that those extra minutes on the field (and in the sky) must surely be taking on their bodies?
Assuming that the Stormers return Duane Vermeulen and Eben Etzebeth to their pack for this game, they’ll have two players in their starting line up who have played no rugby at all in at least a month (or in Vermeulen’s case, about three). Add that to the fact that the Stormers didn’t play at all last weekend and were far from impressive in any of their three games before the knock-out rounds anyway and a picture starts to emerge; one of a team that is struggling for rhythm and synergy, without the benefit of any recent game time to actually put those aspects right.
Perhaps I’m clutching at straws here, but the Stormers have tended to be a little bit like the proverbial Ferrari stuck in garage this year and coach Alister Coetzee may just find himself desperately fumbling for the keys whilst the fully-loaded Hummer that is the Sharks is already approaching full throttle. Noises coming from the Stormers camp this week suggest that they know that a slow start in this game will be nigh impossible to recover from – the question, though, is whether each member of the team knows – really knows – what they need to do in the opening half hour at Newlands, and how to do it. If they have that secret sauce – one to rival the opening half display we saw from the Sharks in Brisbane – then they’ve certainly kept it under wraps thus far in 2012 and the real unknown here is whether they will be able to muster up the required performance pretty much from a standing start.
We know the Sharks will hit the ground running with the same momentum that’s been carrying them through their “extended finals series” that began with the Bulls game. The Stormers, in the same period, were idling and at the risk of overworking this stupid analogy any further, will need to move through their gears pretty quickly to get the fast start they require.
The elephant in the room, though, from a Sharks point of view, is this: how much longer can the Sharks really be expected to play with this level of intensity? Will the effect of a massive defensive effort in the second half last week, coupled with a whole bunch of flying and jet lag, mean that the Stormers simply have to pitch up to win? I guess we’ll know after the opening 20 minutes at Newlands.
Tweet
I think the Sharks will be up for this game but will a final in NZ be just one hurdle to far?
Well put Rob..
It is one of those situations that could really go either way, and it will come down to the mental aspect..
Unfortunately for the Sharks, I feel a mental game has never been their strength, but they have proved to be a well oiled machine over the last few weeks.
Can the Sharks make it? I reckon they can..
The focus should be on their on own game though, and not what they think the Stormers will be doing..
I think we all know by now that someone at Sharks HQ reads this blog
Plumtree in an interview earlier this week said they wil not be focussing on jetlag, as they all know how it feels and know how to overcome it already. I get that, if you tell a man he’s tired over he will start to believe you, so Plum doesn’t focus on it. Lets help the big man out a bit.
‘Perhaps I’m clutching at straws here’
I think you are…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : I disagree. I think the Sharks are going to smoke the Mountain Moffies.
@Pokkel (Comment 1) : Yes.
Must just tell you guys that there is a frenzy of activity here in Cape Town that has never been seen before. For my sins I help run the Capr Town Sharks Supporters Club (just around the corner from Newlands)… the bookings we have had for tickets and requests to come to the ”members club” is unprecidented.
There is massive support for the team down here and we will have a full house of well in excess of 300 in black and white watching on Saturday. No rain (according to windguru) so lets the game begin
Top notch as usual Rob, was thinking the same about the Stormers not playing last week and also the Rebels game wasn’t that impressive, think we just have to wait and see which team will pitch up, but the Sharks been looking good the last couple of weeks, let’s hope the momentum carries on.
@DaveB (Comment 7) :
Welcome to the site Dave!
That is awesome to hear, good luck!
Will this Sharks team be one that ends the comp with questions of what could’ve been, or will they end as a team who will end up as legends? This is why I love sport
I really can’t wait for the game!
@KingRiaan (Comment 10) : You’ve got a point there, this could be another season of “what could have been” or the Sharks could become one of the few sports teams to have their names written in the books of LEGENDS.
This should be the ultimate goal for every sportsman, what is the legacy that they leave behind?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 11) : Yes, I think every sportsman wants to be remembered like Mohammed Ali, Schumacher, the ’95 Boks etc. And this is in the Shark’s grasp
Finally! Been trying to create a Sharkswolrd profile for ages…
Cant wait for this weekend, Sharks are going to smash dem Stormers!
@MikeVS (Comment 13) :
Welcome to the site Mike.
Hope to see more of you around..
@DaveB (Comment 7) : Dave how much is membership now?
Need to get back to the club its been too long!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 14) : Hi Richard, I am on here all day, just struggled creating an account for some strange reason…
@MikeVS (Comment 13) :
Welcome! Glad you managed.
@MikeVS (Comment 16) :
Could you drop me a mail stating what went wrong with the registration process?
richard@sharksworld.co.za
@Pokkel (Comment 17) : Thanks Pokkel!
Great site, cant stand the site which must not be named…
Just turns into sh1tslinging compo every time you post a comment, too many trolls!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 18) : I think it was more my browser which I changed recently. I cant remember exactly what the problem was, it was a few weeks back…
@DaveB (Comment 7) : Tell us more of the Supporters Club, how does it work for guys living on the other side of the Du Toits Kloof pass.
@Salmonoid (Comment 21) : Hi Salmanoid, I think Dave has signed off, I used to be on the committee before my daughter was born recently.
Where abouts are you in SA?
@MikeVS (Comment 22) : welcome welcome!
@robdylan (Comment 23) : Thanks Rob, it’s great to finally be able to interact with the rest of Sharksworld!
Worcester area.
@Salmonoid (Comment 25) : Have a look at their website: http://www.sharkssupporterscapetown.co.za/
There are clubs in JHb, Pretoria and PE.
They work on a reciprocity basis.
The club is open for all Sharks and Bok games, normally opens and hour before the game (2 hours this Sat) and closes an hour after the game.
They have a fully stocked bar there so you cant bring any drinks in.
Great braai entertainment area, they provide the fire you bring your meat and can braai at the club. They also have a kitchen which sells various items on the day.
Big screen inside and Flat screen in the outside section.
Entrance is free for memebers and R20 for non member unless the match is at Newlands in which case it is R50 entrance but the players come to the club after the game and you get to meet them and take photos with them etc…
Great place, great atmosphere!
They also organise trips and tours, definately worth a visit
The Sharks will take this game. I’m Switzerland so I don’t care who wins, but the Stormers have scored less tries than my Lions and it has been proven if you score quickly against them, they don’t know how to come back, the Sharks on the other hand have a deadly attack. Frankly all the Stormers have is there defense
Nice read Rob.
Thanks for the info, I never realised that visitors could go along. Being far from the venue I never contemplated membership. When the Sharks play at Newlands I go to the games live. It sounds like a great setup so will go and catch a Currie Cup game there sometime and see how it goes.
Who’s to say we go on a Major unbeaten streak?? It has happened to many a team before??
@CLASSIC SHARK (Comment 30) :
Another new user?
Welcome to the site..
Cheers Rich, no I’m not new , I just havnt posted in ages, but have always been reading and enjoying ..
Especially enjoy that character with the “Narsasistic” type traits Megatron..
@MikeVS (Comment 26) : hey bru…. welkom to Sharksworld….
@CLASSIC SHARK (Comment 32) :
@CLASSIC SHARK (Comment 33) :
Oh cool.. hope to see more comments from you in the future..
Make sure to check out Megatron’s article posted this morning:
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2012/07/25/staring-into-the-blue-abyss/
@CLASSIC SHARK (Comment 32) : you don’t have an avatar and no stars yet…. that we classify as new so welkom!!!!
Thanks all, can you create an avatar from the phone or only laptop?
@Franshark (Comment 34) : Thanks Frans, great to be part of Sharksworld!
@CLASSIC SHARK (Comment 37) : if its a smartphone and you can go on to the main site(not the mobile site) its easier on a pc…..
@MikeVS (Comment 38) : hey Mike, how did you know my name is Frans
good to have you, hope that’s not your Saturday suite hanging on the hanger 
@DaveB (Comment 7) :
@Franshark (Comment 40) : looks like a cool suit though
@Franshark (Comment 40) : Ha ha ha, Its my daughters first Sharks outfit! Only problem is its far too big, going to have to get her a smaller one in the mean time…
@rekinek (Comment 42) : Very cool, the Sharks Marketing guys are in a whole different league! Compare the items available at the Sharkcage to any of the other unions, no comparison!
@Salmonoid (Comment 29) : Definately worth a visit, most people got to the club before, park in the secure parking (Members) go for a drink or two and then all the Sharks Supporters watching the game at the Stadium walk there together in a big group.
@MikeVS (Comment 45) : I had a look at the link you posted, methinks they are going to be at least +1 country member soon….if they will have me of course.
@Salmonoid (Comment 46) : I am sure they will welcome you with open arms!
The club will be packed this weekend, 300 plus people there…
@MikeVS (Comment 47) : Ill be at Newlands, got myself some good tickets so will go and do my thing at the stadium.
@rekinek (Comment 42) : hallo reks.. You scares these days…
@Salmonoid (Comment 48) : Enjoym its going to be a cracker! GOOOOO SHARKS!
@Franshark (Comment 49) : hi
just working (too much 
no life 
@MikeVS (Comment 44) : yip – even at the Lions den they have a better variety of Sharks stuff than Lions
Wow that was the best “reunion” program ever..
The are in love with the Sharks..
They not giving the Stormers any chance..
@Franshark (Comment 53) : Put yourself in their shoes. Who would you rather face. The best defence, at Newlands, or the most unpredictable side in NZ after 3 weeks of traveling?
@rekinek (Comment 52) : The only problem is I just see dollar bills rolling!
@Franshark (Comment 53) : But they sure loved taking credit for NZ rugby through Plumtree
Not sure how many years of rugby Plum played in NZ – but as far as I know he played a fair while for the Sharks (1990 – 1996?)
@FireTheLooser (Comment 56) : It can just as easily be written down to the French flair of Michalak rubbing off on the rest of the team
@FireTheLooser (Comment 56) : ja also picked that up