This week the Sharks roadshow heads to Joburg, in search of some much-needed redemption.
Lions v Sharks (Saturday 17h05)
Like an ogre (or an onion), there are many layers to this contest. If we look at it from a form perspective alone, it’s rather easy to call, since the Lions have won their last three games and the Sharks took an almighty smack the last time they took the field. There’s very little doubt in anyone’s mind that if each team simply dishes up a rehash of what hte produced last week, the Lions will win this encounter by a cricket score.
A week is a long time in rugby, though and from a Sharks perspective, it’s probably safe to say that nobody really knows what to expect at Ellis Park. Anyone looking at the team and its proud history will battle to believe they could be as abjectly poor two weeks running; countering that argument is a distinctly “weakened” feeling to the team selected this week, as the big names continue to drop like flies. Countering it again (if a counter-counter is really a thing) is the prevailing opinion that since the “big names on paper” have been the ones letting the team down the most, perhaps a younger, hungrier outfit with a little more to prove might do better?
We can also go back to the round two clash between these sides, when the Sharks (admittedly rather stronger that day) comfortably dispatched the Lions, with a simple game based on total up-front dominance and set piece supremacy leading to a bonus point victory in the wet. The Lions have improved markedly since that day (and the Sharks the opposite) but you have to feel that the same blueprint, if well executed, could deliver a similar result for the visitors.
There are a few key things that need to change and the challenge, of course, will be whether the Sharks can get all of them right at once. Firstly, against a team that likes to run the ball and attack from virtually any situation, the Sharks simply have to improve their first-time tackle success. Defence, once a proud hallmark of the team, has been getting steadily worse each week and if the players don’t shore up in that department this week, they will get hammered. Secondly, the Sharks simply have to find a way to get their lineout functioning. All the blame for the past weeks’ woes have been laid squarely on Kyle Cooper, it would seem and there’s going to be huge pressure on debutant Franco Marais to perform in this key area. Thirdly, if a kicking game is going to be employed, then the execution needs to be 1000% better than it was over the last few weeks and here Fred Zeilinga and new fullback Odwa Ndungane have big questions to answer.
With my hand on my heart, I don’t feel the Sharks will have had enough time in this very difficult week to put all of these pieces in place. I’m hoping to see a far more committed effort and marked improvement in the areas mentioned, but I’m not expecting it will be enough to secure victory. The Lions will prevail, hopefully not by much more than around 6 points.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Mark Richards, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Derick Minnie, 21 Lohan Jacobs, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, 23 Howard Mnisi.
Sharks: 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Sibusiso Sithole, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Renaldo Bothma, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Jack Wilson.
In other games, I anticipate results similar to these:
Brumbies to beat the Blues by 8
Crusaders to prevail over the Highlanders by 5
Waratahs over Stormers by 12
Force to beat the Cheetahs by 4
Bulls to beat the Reds by 10.
Tweet
Kiss of death Zibbie
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : Rob has done his bit…
Seriously, though, those are almost exactly my Superbru picks for this week!
Call a spade a spade, we are in dire straits. Can’t think if we could win another game this year??
Sport 24’s Tank Lanning’s hitting the nail on the head……..How does a CEO go on a 8 day cycle race while we a staring down the barrel. O well guess we all don’t deem the situation as a problem!
@Lieplapper (Comment 4) : enough on the problems and the negativity,the guy is the C.E.O not the coach.
What were the Stormers,Bull,Cheetahs ,Lion’s C.E.O.’S doing last week can assure old Jabba the hut from W.P didn’t do the Epic.
I sincerely believe that Lions team is ripe for the plucking,those boys are played out,and most of our team is fresh.only tired boy in our team should be Renaldo..
@Lieplapper (Comment 4) : Well we werent really staring down the barrel when the race started. Dik Tank knows that as well.
@The hound (Comment 5) : The WP board were preparing for their pilgrimage to their Holy land of New Zealand.
@Lieplapper (Comment 4) : In fact he is not even the director of rugby.
I am sure he filled in his leave forms, old ”I played one game for W.P and I am a legend” Lanning will have checked up on that,or he would have mentioned it.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 7) : Yeah old Teofelo’s whole family went along in their Crusaders jerseys.
@Lieplapper (Comment 4) : Don’t see how he would be making much of a difference since he is administrative and the issue is not money or corporate strategy. This issue is between players and coach. He could give them moral support but there is not one person or player at the sharks doubts John’s dedication to this union, so know his heart is always there.
@Lieplapper (Comment 4) : Tank. like the rest of the majority of rugby ‘journalists’ are Western Province based, or have an allegiance to the Cape. In our media there is almost only 2 groups of rugby journalists, pro-Cape and pro-Pretoria. I take everything they say with a pinch of salt and don’t let it get to me. I am in the privileged position to meet some of these guys and be surrounded by them on match days and have heard their opinions on the Sharks, and even if the Sharks put a 100 past the Saders, to them it won’t be so much the Sharks that was good, but rather the opposition was poor.
This being Ellis Park and this being the sharks I must give it to Lions this week. Ellis Park has never been a happy hunting ground for us even in seasons when we had it together. Also i think the lions had their brainfart moments last week and this week will be recommitted and sharp. I still maintain that we should build the future sharks pack and not focus everything on this super series. The team changes (albeit forced) is a step in the right direction.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 7) : 😈
@vanmartin (Comment 1) : @pastorshark (Comment 2) :
*cries in the corner*
Well good luck guys . may the best team win . And remember . Keep your eye on the ball 😉
@Zibbie (Comment 14) : embrace the favourites tag. You guys are going to rip us a new one and no mistake.
@robdylan (Comment 15) : lol im very nervousness about this game . I recon it will be close
@Zibbie (Comment 16) : close to a 50-point snotting
@KingRiaan (Comment 11) : fair enough, I am picking up what you are putting down!
@Lieplapper (Comment 18) : @KingRiaan (Comment 11) : I agree with you about the press and what a sad lot they are but why are you surprised by JS actionsn,he is hardly to never present,only pitches for Media/PR. exposure,but I forgot,this is a truely PROFESSIONAL franchise in times of crises why do you need a leader
@benji (Comment 19) : Well give the guy a break as well. Although I do agree that he should man up and show us that he has a firm grip on things and lead us out of this dark hole, he has been doing the Argus every year for the past couple of years.
@KingRiaan (Comment 20) : that’s my point,the Sharks actually have huge problems,what’s more important,a bycile race or leading the solutiongfixing of a crises ,a position for which he is paid handsomely,in a proper professional franchise a proper CEO would get off his bike and and come and drive the turnaround
@benji (Comment 21) : Well planing, and paying and all those little things for the Argus happens months before the actual race. All his planning etc for the race was done months before there was any sign of a crisis.
@Zibbie (Comment 16) :
You should be, if the Lions loose, they really let slip of a great chance to edge up on the log.
The Sharks are just hoping that they put in a decent performance, so winning would be a bonus.
Why is Odwa at 15,why keep playing players out of position,why won’t they back Van T
@Zibbie (Comment 14) : your team is getting very dangerous cause they starting to learn the habit of winning and please tell the Sharks that it will go a long way
@benji (Comment 19) : What are you talking about,you talk such a load of crap when would you like him to be present.
Unless you yourself actually work in the union when would you ever notice that he wasn’t around as your only connection with him would be through ”Media/ PR exposure”.
What is your actual gripe with the man.
I think its rather amazing that the union has guy that can complete the Epic not the Argus,and that we have a young fit guy in that position,unlike the geriatric oxygen thieves who occupy that position at most other unions.
Yours is so typical of most criticisms of John. Based on nothing but bitter assumptions.
When you have something concrete to say about him say it.
@KingRiaan (Comment 22) : Do you understand the difference between the Argus and the Epic,obviously not.
@The hound (Comment 27) : Hey I just used the wrong bloody word. I’m trying to defend John here so please don’t start with me.
You know the Sharks are deep in the shit when Rob backs the opposition. 😈
@The hound (Comment 27) : Honestly, who cares? Bunch of people riding a bicycle. 🙄
@Ben (Comment 30) : You obviously don’t know the difference either.
@The hound (Comment 27) : @The hound (Comment 26) : Epic mate epic
No thats you pal,a true legend.
@The hound (Comment 31) : 🙄 😆
@robdylan (Comment 15) : @robdylan (Comment 17) : You’re so good at this, they should create a paid post for you at our favourite Union!
@benji (Comment 21) : Come now…to be fair, while John was off riding we were thumping the Cheetahs and beating the Chiefs with 13 men. Maybe John should do the epic more often… 😆
@pastorshark (Comment 36) : Seriously, though, I don’t think this Shows a lack of commitment. This will have been arranged a long time in advance…and at the time he went to the Cape there wasn’t really much of a crisis. Let’s give the guys a Chance to respond over the next couple of weeks and see what is done. I would still like to see a bit more transparency…but I reckon it is only fair to give the guys the chance to do their work…
@benji (Comment 24) : Van Tonder is out for the season…
So I’m lying in bed with a spot of flu! The bummer is that I have to get better and ready for a full weekend of weddings and church services, so am doctoring myself into a daze! The plus is that I get to watch,some rugby this morning and can give some updates of the Blues Brumbies game. I reckon it will be a goody!
Time for round 9!
Ummm…after 101 adverts that is! 😯
All right, here we go…
My gut feel tells me the Blues are up for this game.
A pair of South African twins on the Brumbies bench…
@Ben (Comment 43) : I think so too…but the Brumbies are not shabby…so it should be a Cracker!
@pastorshark (Comment 42) : Good morning Pastor.
There was lot of rain earlier, so the field will still be a bit wet…let’s see how that affects the game…
The Brumbies are playing in yellow today and look very much like the games…
@Ben (Comment 46) : Good morning!
Pocock is built like a brick shit house. 😈
The Blues homeground Looks pretty empty…I suppose there is a Price to be for losing 7 from 7!
@pastorshark (Comment 47) : Field is greasy. Should be interesting.
@Ben (Comment 50) : Or as Bill McLaren used to say: “Like a hut”…
@Ben (Comment 52) : Yup…let’s see what that does…
Blues with a few phases to start…
Piatau always makes a few Yards!
@pastorshark (Comment 53) : 😀
Wow, the Blues looked very dangerous…nicely worked, but the final kick ahead just too far. Brumbies dot down for the 22…
All Blues early on. They look good and win the early Penalty…
Cross kick almost working for the Blues!
The Blues will take the shot at Goal…
Bowden nails it and the Blues lead 3-0 after a few minutes…
Blues 3 – 0 Brumbies
5 minutes.
Make that 5 minutes…
@Ben (Comment 63) : That’s much neater! 😆
Sad news today with Richie Benaud passing away. 🙁
Now the Brumbies get some quick ball and look good in the backs. Intersting to see how they still run it even with the field greasy…
@pastorshark (Comment 65) : 😉
@Ben (Comment 66) : Absolutely…he was a legend!
Brumbies hit a dozen phases…
Very good defence from the Blues.
After a prolonged period of attack with phases after Phase, the Brumbies concede a turnover scrum…
@Ben (Comment 71) : Very good…
Aaand…the very first scrum has to be reset…
Aaaand again…that has been really ridiculous this year…reset, reset, Penalty…
@pastorshark (Comment 74) : And reset again. 🙄
And I called it: reset, reset, Penalty…
Penalty to the Blues…
Now the Blues attack through several phases…
The attack breaks down after several phases, but a mistake sends the ball into touch…
Pocock strong in the tackle…
The Brumbies clear it, but remain in their half…
Lineout Penalty to the Blues and they will take another shot…
The Blues have made a very good start to this game…
Well, whe New Zealand commentators say that a Penalty to a New Zealand side was fortunate, then you know…
Bon hits the upright and it Comes back into Play and the Brumbies clear…
Great accuracy from Bowden. Hits the post from about 40 meters out! 😈
Ummm…I mean Bowden…as opposed to that other flyhalf Bon…
@Ben (Comment 87) : 🙂
Another Penalty to the Blues…
They will take another shot…
This time Bowden nails it and makes it 6-0…
Blues 6 – 0 Brumbies
17 minutes.
Blues get ANOTHER Penalty…
Brumbies conceding way too many penalties.
Other than one Phase of Play it has been all Blues…
Very good defence by the Brumbies off that lineout…
This time the Brumbies have an Advantage…
The Brumbies attack steadily through several phases…
Finally they get the Penalty…
Several guys receiving Attention…
Toomua Looks like he’ll have to come off…
The Brumbies will take a shot at Goal…
Lealiifano misses an easy kick! That is a shocker…not the Brumbies day?
Brumbies miss a sitter! 🙄
Toomua is trying to stay on, but he’ll have to come off…ankle not great…
So still 6-0 after 23 minutes…
The Blues put the ball into touch in the Brumbies 22…
After a Clearing kick by the Brumbies, the Blues attack into the 22 again…before Pocock turns it over…
Poor kick Bowden.
Now the Blues kick a Penalty into the Corner…and kick it touch in Goal…dou!
This time it is a free kick to the Brumbies at the scrum…and they pick another scrum…
The ball got stuck in the scrum a bit there… 😆
Brumbies very sloppy today.
Right, now there is a Team warning to the Brumbies…another Penalty to the Blues…
Brumbies get a general warning for ill discipline.
Big break and then surge by the Blues…
5m scrum Blues after a good steal by the Brumbies is knocked on…
@pastorshark (Comment 115) : You’re too fast!
Come on Blues!
Oh look…another reset…
@Ben (Comment 120) : Although it will hurt my Superbru, I agree!
Intercept by the Brumbies and then some poor Play and a loose ball picked up by the Blues…and ultimately ist into touch…
White’s kick is charged down…another lineout…
This time it’s not straight and the blues get another scrum in the 22…
Very sloppy Brumbies. Blues need to get some points on the board now.
Blues surge forward and have a penalty advantage…
Blues within 5…
And Bowden scores. Really good try!
Dan Bowden try. Well done!
11-0 with the conversion to come…
The Brumbies might have dodged a yellow for that advantage…
Bowden nails the tough conversion and now has all 13 points…
13-0 after 37 mins…
Blues 13 – 0 Brumbies
37 minutes.
Not a great kick receive by the Blues, but they manage to clear…
My gut feel seems to be accurate today. 😀
The Brumbies make another mistake after several phases…not a great half for them…
A good clearance by Coleman results in a Blues lineout just inside their won half…
The Blues keep it tight and get some momentum on the mall…
Half Time
Blues 13 – 0 Brumbies
@pastorshark (Comment 140) : Ummm…maul…as opposed to shopping at the mall!
And that|s half time…the Blues lead 13-0…
Here we go a another possible crap start to my Superbru
@pastorshark (Comment 140) : I always worry when my wife gets momentum on or in the mall 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 145) : Especially with a buy coming up 😉
@robdylan (Comment 145) : @vanmartin (Comment 146) : 😆
@robdylan (Comment 145) : @vanmartin (Comment 146) : I usually show my girlfriend a red card and give her a five week suspension.
@Ben (Comment 148) : And that’s why you should never marry an Oz or NZ girl, you just know that suspension will be shortened to one week 😈
Brumbies in the Blues 22 now.
@vanmartin (Comment 149) : A big NO-NO.
Blues 13 – 3 Brumbies
45 minutes.
Kevin Mealamu on for the Blues.
Had a little kip there…all the flu medicine is having it’s effect!
Blues have a lineout in the Brumbies 22 now.
@robdylan (Comment 145) :
@robdylan (Comment 145) : I usually find a shop that sells TV and watch some rugby!
Brumbies win a penalty for holding on. David Pocock again.
Brumbies don’t kick the penalties out! Too many mistakes!!
Brumbies have it now though and counter attack…
Piatau under huge pressure but the Brumbies miss vital tackles!! Oh dear, that was a big chance!
Brumbies lineout inside the Blues 22 now.
The Brumbies have a lineout on the 22…
The Brumbies take it through the phases and make steady ground…10m out now…
5m out now…3m…1m…good defence…
26 phases and the Brumbies score in the corner!
And finally the Brumbies score…the replacement winger is in…
Note the sublte reference to the “replacement winger” whose name I can neither pronounce nor spell!
Blues 13 – 8 Brumbies
58 minutes.
The conversion swings violently to the left and the score is 13-8 after 58 mins…
@pastorshark (Comment 168) : I didn’t bother trying either. 😆
Blues are starting to make mistakes now…knock on means a Brumbies scrum…
The Blues win a tighthead! The Brumbies will not be happy with that…
Blues win a tighthead and concede a penalty right after.
But great play by Pocock (again!) wins the Brumbies a turnover penalty…
The Blues almost score but the ball bounces the wrong way!
So close!
The Brumbies clear it to just outside the 22…
The Blues almost scored but the ball bounced the wrong way…
@pastorshark (Comment 179) : I moved your comments from the other thread
The Brumbies clear it just outside there 22 and from the lineout Pocock wins another great turnover penalty…and one of the New Zealand commentators is starting to whine!
@robdylan (Comment 180) : Thanks… 😳
Pocock steals it again! Unbelievable.
The Blues almost intercept, but a double knock gives the Brumbies a scrum…
Now the Brumbies win a scrum penalty…hey! That scrum penalty was awarded with no resets going before! What’s going on?!
Lealiifano will take the shot…
1 out of 3 becomes 2 out of 4 and it is 13-11 with 13 minutes to play!
Blues 13 – 11 Brumbies
67 minutes.
Now the Blues surge forward…can they pull this one through?
The Brumbies get a turnover from sloppy play by the Blues. Aggressive defence by the Brumbies! But they end up knocking it on…that was a great chance for the Brumbies!
Cracking last 10 minutes coming up!
Kaino was down but will carry on…they don’t want to lose their captain now!
The Blues pass it back into their 22 and kick it out on the full…
Attacking lineout for the Brumbies on the 22…
Huge mall by the Brumbies…they have milked a penalty advantage and great defence by the Blues stops the move and results in the penalty!
Blues 13 – 14 Brumbies
73 minutes.
I reckon the Blues are lucky not to get a yellow or penalty try there…after a 20m drive they collapse the maul 5 out…lucky…
But the Brumbies convert the penalty and now lead for the first time…14-13 after 74 mins…
@pastorshark (Comment 195) : Ag!! Went shopping again!!
Luatua has introduced some much needed go forward for the Blues…
14-13 after 76 minutes…
The Blues attack through numerous phases and now surge forwards…and win a penalty…
It is a tough kick, but surely the Blues have to give West a shot for the 3 points…
A Blues player is down and so we have to wait…
West will take the shot…
Blues 16 – 14 Brumbies
77 minutes.
Pressure stuff…West kicks a beauty and the Blues lead with 2 minutes to go!! 16-14!!
Great kick from West!
I told you it would be a cracker!
The Brumbies have the ball in the Blues half…
The Brumbies knock it on and the Blues have a scrum near halfway…so close!!
Just over a minute to go…
Brumbies knock on. Blues scrum almost on halfway. One minute left.
The Brumbies win a scrum penalty!! The Brumbies will have a shot to win it on the hooter…
I’m rooting for a Blues win…but jeepers the whinging New Zealand commentators deserve a loss!
FULL TIME
BLUES 16 – 14 BRUMBIES
White pulls the kick to the left and the Blues win!! 16-14…
White had the distance, but he pulled it to the left…
Well done, Blues!!
That opens things up a bit in the Aussie conference and for the wildcard playoff spots…
Bloody well done Blues! My gut feel was spot on!
I had Brumbies by 6…so no points on Superbru…a meter off a prediction point and a margin half point…but I am happy with a Blues win!
@Ben (Comment 221) : Well done!!
Two interesting stats about the Sharks:
– The Sharks are the only side yet to score a try in a possession that has lasted more than seven phases.
– The Sharks have conceded five tries when the opposition has retained possession for seven or more phases. Only the Reds (six) fare worse in this department.
Gold would do well to stress patience on attack and more urgency on defence.
@Bokhoring (Comment 224) : Great stat…and interesting too!!
Saders 14 – 6 H’landers
34mins
Saders 17- 25 H’landers
61mins
Fulltime
Saders 20 – 25 Highlanders
W’tahs 5 – 13 Stormers
20mins
Halftime
Waratahs 15 – 13 Stormers
W’tahs 15 -20 Stormers
52mins
0 out of 3 on Superbru. Looks like round 1 all over again.
Fulltime
Waratahs 18 – 32 Stormers
@JarsonX (Comment 232) : don’t woery boet same here!!!!!
Halftime
Force 10 – 8 Cheetahs
Raining in Perth
Force 15 – 11 Cheetahs
47mins
Force 15 – 14 Cheetahs
60mins
Force 15 – 21 Cheetahs
0 from 4 🙄
Well done Cheetahs, great effort. Brussouw is a machine on defence.
Fulltime
Force 15 – 24 Cheetahs
Shot Vrystaat!!! 😎
All away wins… Might the Sharks repeat the pattern? Or the Reds?
I really hate it that the stripey underpants team won, even against Ozzies. I fear the Sharks may find themselves mid table in the saffa conference after this weekend but then I suppose they deserve to
Bulls 10 – 0 Reds
10 minutes.
Lachie Turner try.
Bulls 10 – 5 Reds
17 minutes.
Pierre Spies try.
Bulls 17 – 5 Reds
19 minutes.
Francois Hongaardt scores his second. TMO will check first.
Try stands.
Bulls 24 – 5 Reds
35 minutes.
Jeez the Reds are kak! 🙄
Half Time
Bulls 24 – 5 Reds
Will Genia try.
Bulls 24 – 12 Reds
46 minutes.
Reds score another one. Nick Frisby.
Bulls 24 – 17 Reds
50 minutes.
Adam Thompson yellow carded.
Bulls 29 – 17 Reds
54 minutes.
Bulls bonus point try followed by a Reds bonus point try.
Bulls 29 – 22 Reds
58 minutes.
And the Bulls score again. Burger Odendaal.
Bulls 36 – 22 Reds
60 minutes.
Piet van Zyl sells a huge dummy and scores.
Bulls 43 – 22 Reds
70 minutes.
How the morons at the Sharks can’t contract Natal schools players like Jesse Kriel is a disgrace.
FULL TIME
BULLS 43 – 22 REDS
ROUND 9 RESULTS
BLUES 16 – 14 BRUMBIES
CRUSADERS 20 – 25 HIGHLANDERS
WARATAHS 18 – 32 STORMERS
WESTERN FORCE 15 – 24 CHEETAHS
LIONS 23 – 21 SHARKS
BULLS 43 – 22 REDS