The Sharks face the Super Rugby table topping Brumbies from Canberra in a Round 5 match in Durban this weekend. The Brumbies are starting their overseas tour and will also face their first cross conference match of the competition when they face the Sharks at Kings Park.
The Brumbies will enter the game with much confidence after a good start to the 2013 season after a first round 24 – 6 win over the Reds. They secured a 30 – 13 bonus point win over the Rebels a week later and last week they recorded another bonus point 35 – 6 win over the Waratahs.
The Brumbies are currently topping the Australian conference and over all log on 18 points after 3 wins from 3 with 2 bonus points and 1 bye. They will definitely be looking at make it 4 from 4 when facing the Sharks, who are struggling to find their rhythm so early in the competition.
Even though the Sharks have been struggling to put convincing victories on the board, they have also won all their opening games. They managed to let a 26 – 5 lead slip to a 29 – 22 win over the Cheetahs in their opener in Bloemfontein. A week later they were up against the tight defence of the Stormers in Durban, but as in the previous game Patrick Lambie managed to kick those vital penalties and they managed a 12 – 6 win over the Stormers. A week ago they faced another test match defensive effort against newcomers the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth, and again it was up to Lambie to see them through to the final whistle in another no try 21 – 12 win.
You could clearly see the frustration on the field and in the post match last week in Port Elizabeth. It seems like the Sharks are stuck in an uncreative bubble with regards to the backline, and their attack is somewhat mediocre and predictable.
Natural attacking players like Patrick Lambie, Francios Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, Paul Jordaan, JP Pietersen and Louis Ludik simply aren’t getting the forward momentum they need and everything is left for the forwards to drive it up and keep it tight – and Lambie to get the penalty kicks.
One can be sure the Brumbies will come down here with a point to prove. Jake White has put new life in this Brumbies side and he will definitely be looking for a top finish when the competition draws to an end. White also managed to strengthen his side after signing David Pocock and bringing back fan favourites like George Smith and Clyde Rathbone.
The Sharks will have their hands full on attack with players like Jesse Mogg who is always full of running and if he is scoring them he gives the final pass. Clyde Rathbone will have a point to prove after returning form a lengthy break, and even with Pocock out you can be sure Smith will keep us busy at the breakdown.
Kick off is Saturday 17:05 at Kings Park, Durban.
Tweet
Weather forecast looks like it will be hot, humid with perhaps some light rain…knock-on weather
@Orelando_G (Comment 1) : Probably best to stick to the current conservative plan in this weather.
That song always struck me as somewhat perverted. Can imagine Bruce singing ‘tie me kangaroo down sport’ whilst slowly undoing his trousers. 😉 😈
@Bokhoring (Comment 2) : Agreed. 1 more week of it and then we can open it up against the Rabbles next week!
@McLovin (Comment 3) : 😆
@Bokhoring (Comment 2) : @Orelando_G (Comment 1) : I will post us something by the weekend – did some research on all home games since 98 and the number of times 4 tries were scored etc. Let me just say that it almost never happens that anybody scores four tries before the end of March.
@King Shark (Comment 6) : That’s very interesting. So it is actually better then for us to get a fixture list where we travel first and play our home games nearer the end of the season.