It’s perhaps not too early to suggest that for the Sharks to have any say in the destination of this year’s Super Rugby trophy, they’ll simply have to emerge from Saturday’s match against the Highlanders with every possible log point added to their tally.
Simply put, the Sharks have shot themselves in the foot already this year – in fact, they’ve put one into each foot – by losing home games against the Brumbies and the Cheetahs. In so doing, they’ve gone from a position of playing poorly, yet winning, to dropping games that really weren’t optional in terms of wins and now just plain have to win virtually every game they play from this point on, in order to make up the lost ground.
The reality, in fact, is not quite as bad as that; the Sharks still need to play the Bulls twice and thus have at least some chance of gaining back some ground on the conference leaders. What that probably means is that a narrow loss in Brisbane next weekend probably wouldn’t completely knock them out of contention, as long as they manage to get a point at least and then go on to get five against the Force in the final game.
All of that, though, will mean nothing if the Sharks fail to pick up a bonus point win over the struggling Highlanders this weekend. Welcome to the Last Chance Saloon, Sharks, time to show what you’re made of.
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Hopefully we still love these kinds of situations!
Hell, the chair in the corner has been reserved for the Sharks after the last few years. We love being in the Saloon, which is kind of unfortunate but shows we fight like rabid meerkats when cornered.
Ive seen this movie before
@PTAShark (Comment 2) : š
@Tintin (Comment 3) : Coming This Winter, a movie starring Lambie, Cooper and the Doctor; The Great Escape 7!
Can the Sharks team pull of the impossible once again?? Watch to find out.
@PTAShark (Comment 5) : lets hope for the first time the sequel is better than the original
@Tintin (Comment 6) : Anything is possible. We almost beat the odds last year, we can do it a bit better this year.
But yes, we have to slaughter the Highlanders this weekend. Otherwise we’re toast.
problem is, we’re clear favourites this weekend…
@PTAShark (Comment 7) : I think we are in a bit better situation this year, if we beat the Highlanders, Force, Bulls (twice), Kings and blues get say 3 BP and a another one from the Reds game gives us 56 points. I know that less than last year but this year the league as been strange with so many of the top teams losing. We could even finish top, provided the Cheetahs fizzle and the Stormers lose a couple…long shot I know, but you never know
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
EXACTLY!!
@Tintin (Comment 3) : YUP!
@Tintin (Comment 6) : Not sure about that, perhaps we need a B-grade horror movie so we can get a new director next year.
@robdylan (Comment 8) : mmm and we all know what happens when we are…
@robdylan (Comment 8) : Yeah…but clear favorites that need to win, we only slip up once we have won a few and people are starting to say…you know what, i think they can do it…thats the banana peel
@Tintin (Comment 12) : Not Banana Boys for nothing…..
@Tintin (Comment 9) : We need to beat the Bulls at home and away, and hope that someone else apart from the Stormers can beat them plus getting bonus points in a number of games now
@Bokhoring (Comment 14) : Hectic. That’s a lot to ask.
š
Highlanders must surely win a game at some point.
@McLovin (Comment 16) : that’s what’s worrying me ever so slightly
@CapeShark (Comment 15) : Unless the Bulls really stuff up badly, I can’t see them not topping the SA conference. Whether they will do better than 3rd overall is another question
The only issue for the Sharks is that they are playing the Highlanders, who are due a game that matches their team on paper
Sorry to say but this one’s gone!!! thinking or trying to convince your self other wise is a waist of time. Only thing to do is to get as much points as possible and end above Stormers and Kings. Sharks 4ever!!!!!!
@JD (Comment 20) : yep, agreed. This movie has played many times before. No use keeping your hopes up – seen nothing which suggests this is THE year for a change. Only goals for me now is to at least make the top 6 and to finish higher than the Stormers.
@Feather (Comment 21) : can’t see the Sharks make the top six so ending above the Stormers and Kings would have to do for this year.
@JD (Comment 22) : To finish above the Stormers may require a finish in the top 6.
I think these guys should just forget about logs and just concentrate to play some decent rugby. And where possible blood some younger players, e.g. like finding a replacement for Odwa in the squad. As much as I like the guy, it is probably time to bow out.
@Bokhoring (Comment 23) : there is repalcements for Odwa but plum does not “trust” them. I also think Odwa was a great player for the Sharks but this year the youngster are just to fast and “old age” has caught up to him.
@Saffex (Comment 19) : That’s what I am worried about…