It’s a big challenge ahead of the Sharks this morning.
Kick-off at the Forsyth-Barr Stadium is at 09h35 SA time. Go Sharks!
Highlanders: 15. Ben R Smith (Captain), 14. Matt Faddes, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 12. Jason Emery, 11. Jack Wilson, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Liam Squire, 7. Shane Christie, 6. Elliot Dixon, 5. Joe Wheeler, 4. Tom Franklin, 3. Josh Hohneck, 2. Ash Dixon, 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Craig Millar, 18. Ross Geldenhuys, 19. Alex Ainley, 20. Dan Pryor, 21. Fumiaki Tanaka, 22. Hayden Parker, 23. Patrick Osborne
Sharks: 15. Willie Le Roux, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. JP Pietersen, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Garth April, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Phillip Van der Walt, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Franco Marais, 1. Tendai Mtawarira (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Thomas du Toit, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Jean Deysel, 21. Michael Claassens, 22. Joe Pietersen, 23. Sibusiso Sithole
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Go Boys!!! 😎 Got my jersey on, just need streaming link…any good ones i can try?
@DuToit04 (Comment 1) : Get Kodi and you’ll never have to ask this question again.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 2) : Thanks mate, busy downloading!
@DuToit04 (Comment 3) : You still need to install addons before you can watch sports. Google Kodi Sportsdevil on how to install it.
Anyone covering the game? Can’t watch but can read.
Will Ben Smith inspire the Highlanders to bounce back after the loss against the Reds? Will Garth April provide the spark the Sharks back line needs? Will Coenie be able to scrum or concede less than 5 penalties? Will Wille le Roux finally find love? All will be answered on the next episode of SHARKS DOWN UNDER.
@Poisy (Comment 5) : Wish I could. I thought we were playing tomorrow and scheduled a client meeting for 10am today! 😯 😳 🙄
@Mutley (Comment 6) : Willie will find love if he’s allowed to run first receiver during phase play.
@Poisy (Comment 5) : I’ll be live tweeting
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 2) : which channel/addon is best for the rugby?
The game is underway…
Sharks are immediately penalised after taking the kickoff well and setting the maul…the Sharks absolutely puzzled…and me too! WHAT?!
Nailed…3-0 after 2 minutes…
Kick off
Is it just me, or does it tell you something if they don’t show a replay of an incident AT ALL?
April with a poor start as his restart goes out directly…
Penalty Landers
Lander 3
Sharks 0
2min
The Highlanders with a handling error and the Sharks counter…
This ref hasn’t got off to a good start. Willie kicks an up and under, Smith takes it, passes, it is knocked on, a Highlander clearly picks it up from an offside position…scrum, no penalty…wtf?!
Reinach looks badly injured…
Sopoaga tackles Reinach with no sign of an arm…once again no penalty…and Reinach has done his knee in…
That is surely a yellow card offence??
Now the ref is checking it on the replay…Sopoaga has to be penalised for that!
Shocker…
Penalty…no card…
Shoulder charge – only a penalty? Wow
Reinach is limping but up on his feet again…
Reinach is off and Claassens comes on…
@Bokhoring (Comment 26) : Look, the ref hasn’t got off to a good start…that’s three penalties leaning the home town way…sigh…
April nails it…3-3…
The gods of rugby can do no wrong.
Well, we now have the halfback combo we were calling for…
Good tackle by Marais on the winger…
3-3 after 8 minutes…
Who is the ref?
@JarsonX (Comment 35) : Ben o’ Keefe…
Sharks get a free kick at the lineout…
3-3
Sharks are taking the ball through plenty of phases, finally Odwa chips and a Highlander has to run it out…
Sharks with an attacking lineout…
Sharks with a good maul…penalty for collapsing…
Nice cross kick by April, Mvovo takes it but can’t get the ball inside…advantage so back to the penalty…
April will take a shot…
You’re kidding me? They are under pressure and we go for the kick? Pathetic.
April nails it and it is 3-6 to the Sharks after 12 minutes…
Nice pass Claassens and nice clearance kick by April…
If that’s not a red.
Thanks
Highlanders with an up and under and le Roux is taken out and is very hurt…red card 12… SURELY!!!
This guy deserves a red
That’s what happens when the first yellow escapes sanction….now we’re looking at a worse injury.
Willie lands on his head/neck after he is taken out in the air…RED!
@Nostraseth (Comment 44) : not watching so cant comment but if it was a kick pass, grubber to regather etc then no probem if executed properly and in the right circumstances.
Has to be red…if not another home town decision…
No attempt to go for the ball. Beast should have a serious chat with this ref.
Willie is back on his feet!
TMO says it was not deliberate! But the ref says RED…
…finally a card – and the correct decision.
Well done ref…
Red card!well done ref,well done!
He actually gets a red. Now the Sharks need to be careful – we know how teams with 14 men play.
The TMO tried to talk the ref down but he stuck to his guns and the commentators absolutely agree…for once, well done New Zealanders…
Willie is going off…
Red card Landers 12
Highlanders tactic seems clear, unjure our players.
We lose the ball at the lineout…COME ON!!!!
Willie should stay off.no need to come back after that.rest and check it out properly in the week.
Sharks needs to use the advantage!
They have injured two guys in two illegal tackles…the first should have got a yellow, the second deserves the red he got…
Sharks win the scrum penalty…
Great to see the ref make a hard call on playing a player in the air!
@pastorshark (Comment 66) : Story of our season 🙁
Now we miss touch off a penalty…we HAVE to cut out these small errors!!!
Wonder when Claasens last played 80min? Sounds as though they really trying to rough us up…seems they think the sharks could be a bit soft…at the moment seems as though the ref is a bit soft.. loving these updates chaps. @Mutley (Comment 6) : That comment made my morning…
@Bokhoring (Comment 72) : Damn it…
Sharks needs to settle after the red card.
Unforced errors cost us so badly!
This time the Sharks are penalised in the scrum…
@pastorshark (Comment 73) : Small errors- now isnt that the story of the last month…
Sopoaga will take a long shot…
@pastorshark (Comment 77) : We have not had a single handling error yet – all set piece issues so far.
@SheldonK (Comment 79) : Yup…frustrating!!
@pastorshark (Comment 78) : they must get the ball out of the scrums. Let the backs use the ball.
His kick is short and the Sharks clear it…
Just me or is Sopoaga looking a bit chunky?
Esterhuizen’s kick is not out and Smith counter attacks…good defence by Pieterson…
@Bokhoring (Comment 81) : Yup…
It looks as if the Sharks are down to 14 rather than the Landers!?!? Come on Sharks wakeup!!!!
3-6 after 19 minutes…
This time the Sharks take a lineout and they maul well…
Looks like it is going to be a messy game
Sharks defend well and turn it over, kick to clear and catch the Highlanders in possession…
Sharks attack well but are untidy at the final breakdown and don’t protect the ball…Highlanders turn it over…
We mess up a good attacking opportunity because ball lying open behind our ruck.
Willie back on…
Good to see le Roux back on the field!
Great maul Sharks…
@Bokhoring (Comment 94) : Claasens?
Sharks attack and are again turned over. Come on boys! Sort out the breakdown…
@SheldonK (Comment 98) : No, just a poorly organised breakdown…
First handling error only after 22 minutes. At least an improvement on that front.
Sharks need a big lead come half time. The Landers only start playing in the second half and if you dont have a big enough lead they will win
Lewies is definitely our money man in the lineout…
Great mauling Sharks!
@pastorshark (Comment 100) : Its the little things….again
Sharks must not fall into the trap of playing to loose, they must stick to a structured game!
Using the maul to good effect tonight.
And again our breakdown is not so tidy…
@Bokhoring (Comment 107) : Very good…
3-6 after 25 minutes…
8 9 11 move on blindside could work!
Come on boys…use the extra man!
Another scrum reset.
We’ve done some nice stuff, but our breakdown is untidy and not well managed and we make mistakes that prevent us from rounding off…
Great defence Esterhuizen and the Sharks get a turnover in the middle of the field…maul held up…attacking scrum…come on!
Stupid play by the Highlanders give us a scrum in a good position.
Oh no…Esterhuizen clean through and then loses the ball!!!!
And our handling costs us when it matters
Good break by Andre but then he lose the ball!!!
Nice set move sets up a big break and then the mistake…no finish! Come on…hold it properly!!
But Andre cannot hold onto the ball
Van der Walt is down…please don’t be out…please…
So we’re winning our scrums and lineouts and still not scoring tries. Against 14 men at that. What’s the new excuse?
Really hope the Ginger Ninja is OK after Beast landed on him!
Our boys looking a ton more exciting today….handling will fall into place, they just need to keep doing what they’re doing today.
Is Keegan Daniel being effective?
Van der Walt is off…ag crap!!!!
Deysel on…
Pity van der Walt is off and Deysel is on.
Deysel on.
@Nostraseth (Comment 123) : Seems as though the problem is the handling…
@SheldonK (Comment 126) : Keegan is ok…he will move to 8…but like I say, our breakdowns are not well organised…
@SheldonK (Comment 131) : Only two handling errors by us so far, try again.
We turnover Landers ball, and then 3 moves later they take it back. Breakdown is very messy.
@Nostraseth (Comment 123) : It’s simple…today we are running, we’re creating a bucket load of opportunities but we’re just crap at finishing…forward pass, turnover, knock on…every time…disappointing!
Odwa almost intercepted, but knocks it…damn…that was close…
Huge tackle by JPP and Keegan…well done…
@Nostraseth (Comment 133) : So whats your take on the problem then? Just reading the comments here it seems we doing well but not finishing things off due to small errors,mainly handling
Penalised for that tackle…Sopoaga will take a shot!
@Nostraseth (Comment 133) : Sharks seems shocked to be only playing against 14?!?! They are drawn into a loose game that the Landers want. They should stick to playing structured rugby!
His kick is short again…
6-6
@pastorshark (Comment 135) : Yes, my point being that we are poorly trained on attack. But of course it could never be the fault of our great and amazing coaching staff.
The guys need to work on patience and concentration.
Not a great clearance by April…but other than one or two mistakes I like what I’ve seen of him today…
@Bokhoring (Comment 142) : Retract that – seems that was a miss
@Nostraseth (Comment 143) : Poorly trained or is the execution just not good?
@GreatSharksays (Comment 144) : Yup…patience and concentration…spot on…
Sharks are being out played by the 14 man Landers!?!?!
We’re playing a team that is exceptionally good at disrupting the breakdown.
They murdered the Lions at the breakdown.
Good tackle by Willie on Fekitoa, but the ref goes back and gives them the penalty…they kick it for the corner!
@JD (Comment 149) : No they’re not…
April is not a rugby balls arse even ……..
@Nostraseth (Comment 143) : You have to play with the ball to improve – at least the intent is there.
Another penalty to the Highlanders…
@SheldonK (Comment 147) : A well trained team won’t struggle to execute, especially on a consistent basis like we are.
Lewies has been given a yellow…
Lewies cops a yellow for repeated infringements.
And the Sharks are down to 14 with Lewies yellow card.
Sucks having to work on a Friday, rather watch rugby! How many players are injured so far? Think Reinach, vd Walt and Willie took some bad knocks?
That was Daniel…mistaken identity…anyway, Sharks down to 14…
Landers take the scrum.
Sharks hold it up…no try…another penalty…
@HeinF (Comment 160) : Only Reinach and van der Walt off…Willie had a concussion test but is back on…
@Nostraseth (Comment 156) : I both agree and disagree but anyway…
Sharks needs a big scrum!
Highlanders take another scrum…careful Sharks!
Another reset scrum.
Good scrum and defence Sharks…
Highlanders lucky not to be penalised there…JP had his hands on the ball!!
That right there is a confidence boosting minor victory for the Sharks.
Sharks defence keeps them out and holds them up over the line…and the half time hotter goes and we escape…
Sharks are very lucky to still be ahead at halftime!
Sharks defense holds up again. Half time 6-3 Sharks.
Landers 3 – 6 Sharks at half time
The ref had actually awarded the scrum before the hooter went, so that scrum 5m out should still have taken place. I keep shaking my head at the basic mistakes made by refs…even if the Sharks did benefit from that one!
This game is gonna boil over! Tempers are flaring!
@pastorshark (Comment 164) : That’s some good news! Now we just need to get out of our half and score some points
@pastorshark (Comment 176) : This ref is really poor.
April hasn’t impressed at all. And completely unsurprisingly, Golds promise of running rugby has been found wanting.
3-6 halftime!
@pastorshark (Comment 176) : think the Sharks were luck that the Landers did not score in the last 5 min of the half!
@Bokhoring (Comment 179) : Poor in a way that has benefitted us.
The loss of Reinach, injury to Willie, Red Card were always going to be a bit unsettling. Good to take a halftime lead and can get composed for the 2nd half. Even a man down-this is still a very strong side we are playing. Dont forget what they did to the Lions who tried to play risky rugby…
How long did we play with 15 against 14? And how many points did we get
Andre needs to learn how to hold onto a ball when running.
@Nostraseth (Comment 180) : Have the Sharks not kept the ball in hand a lot more today? Going on these comments they have…so isnt that what Gold said then?
@SheldonK (Comment 184) : Willie is on the field mate.
@Nostraseth (Comment 183) : He missed quite a few on both sides.
@Nostraseth (Comment 180) : Are you watching the same game I am? We have run far more, have built phases better and April – though he has made two mistakes I can remember – has looked much more fluid that Joe. We just need to stay patient. And sort out our bloody breakdown…
@pastorshark (Comment 176) : I totally agree, the biggest issue I find is that refs with television are making these basic mistakes, I mean they even able to sit with the rules in front of them before making calls, yet they still get them wrong.
@Bokhoring (Comment 186) : And how to pass when the pass is on!
@Nostraseth (Comment 183) : @Bokhoring (Comment 189) : Agreed, he has been poor (which is why I was amazed he gave the red card 😀 ). And he has been poor both ways, repeatedly…
@Uli Boelie (Comment 191) : 😯 mind boggling!
We’ve kicked 15 times, and had 39% of the ball….. Enough said.
@Nostraseth (Comment 188) : Yes i know he is on…but he got injured and went off then came back on did he not? Thats the disruption i was talking about. Im not watching live to so going by whats said on here.
@pastorshark (Comment 190) : So yes apparently we are watching a different game.
@Nostraseth (Comment 188) : he was off to get tested.
@Poisy (Comment 185) : We were 15 against 14 for just over 20 minutes (the red card was 28 minutes before half time, but we are also down to 14 now)…
We’re underway again…
Let’s see what we can do in a lineout without Lewies!
Well, there’s the answer…we lose it at the front…
Great defensive take by Odwa and retention by the Sharks…
Sharks spread it wide and recycle well…
Spread wide three times, nice play by JP and Willie straightens it…into the 22…
Nice play April…Mvovo just short…Coenie just short…Sharks penalty…
That’s a way better start by the Sharks!!!!
I’ve missed Deysel
Sharks will kick the penalty from right in front…
Tell me that wasn’t beautiful phase please from the Sharks.
That was much better play by the Sharks…more patient…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 210) : *play
@Nostraseth (Comment 197) : Best piece of attacking play from the Sharks – continuous attack from their own 22 up to the Landers goal line. Just stuffed up the last move, but managed 3 points.
Glad the Sharks are taking the points!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 210) : Much better!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 210) : Was the best we’ve had in a while, let’s see more of that.
Penalty nailed…3-9 after 44 minutes…
@Bokhoring (Comment 213) : I don’t disagree.
@Bokhoring (Comment 213) : best piece all year
Highlanders attack off the Sharks knock at the kickoff…ohhhh…try lost…Sopoaga with a forward pass that saves us…
Nice clearance by April…I’m happy with how he has played…in that earlier move he showed a lovely touch!
Sharks needs to focus. Does not help you put yoursel under pressure right after you scored!!!
Forward pass missed by the ref there!
Never thought I’d ever say this, but I want chilliboy on sooner rather than later.
Highlanders penalty…
Nice to see Esterhuizen making a contribution at flank 😈 😆
@Nostraseth (Comment 224) : Definitely…
Good to have Deysel back…he made a monstrous run just now…
Highlanders will take a shot…
@pastorshark (Comment 221) : ja must say he is looking good.
Sopoaga finally nails one and it is 6-9 after 48 minutes…
Lewies is back.
Lewies is back on…
Almost don’t want to hope. But wouldn’t it be glorious if they won
Willie kicks it directly into touch…that wasn’t great decision making!
Geez the Sharks are making way to many mistakes!!!
Come on boys!!! Let’s do this!!!
@RuckingFun (Comment 208) : That’s why I asked yesterday that if we are struggling to dominate upfront due to lack of experience and just sheer strength….wouldn’t it be wise to have Deysel and Chilli on? Especially with Marcel injured. Looking forward to seeing Chilli.
JPP has been good on defence tonight…
Daniel with a brilliant turn over penalty…then takes it quickly and chips…not sure that is good decision taking…
@GreatSharksays (Comment 238) : I agree with you…
With a hard earned penalty like that, I would like to see us play a bit more structured…we have been good in the maul today…use that…and then hit their man-down back line from there…
🙂
Loosening it up there just now was not the right call…plays into Highlanders hands…
@pastorshark (Comment 241) : Cause there is no substitute for pace and strength. Need that balance in your team.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 238) : Bit of both to answer your why question…although think lack of power/strength a big factor
Offside penalty again…
Now we get another yellow…JPP…Beast very unhappy…
JP now gets a yellow. Not sure for what.
And JPP is off.
Ag crap…
@Bokhoring (Comment 249) : Looks like he grabbed at Smith’s leg while on the ground.
Dumb move from JP
9-9 after 53 minutes…
9 all
I would be happier with that card if the ref had also been as happy to card the Highlanders when it was clearly warranted…
Come on guys….let’s focus.
Deysel is huge again…
Sharks get a penalty…take the points…
Another piece of sustained attack gives us a penalty in front of the posts.
April will take the shot…
He nails it and it is 9-12 to the Sharks after 56 minutes…
@pastorshark (Comment 258) : Was there a time that he shrunk? Large human that guy
@Bokhoring (Comment 260) : We need more play like that…and concentration at this kickoff!!
@pastorshark (Comment 261) : Maybe time for a lineout from the penalty – maul has been very good tonight.
Much better…
Highlanders counter and now have an attacking lineout…
Good defence of the maul by the Sharks!!
Smith remains a difficult customer. Receiving a kick on his 10m turns into a lineout on our 5m.
Say what you like the Highlanders with only 14 men on the field are by far the best team on the field.
Damn it…after good defence, the Highlanders finally get a try as a slip by the Highlander creates the opening…
And Landers score in the corner.
Another try conceded by the Sharks after not clearing a kickoff!!!!
The conversion is just wide and it is 14-12 after 60 minutes…
@Uli Boelie (Comment 270) : They are the Super 15 champions after all.
Another kick out by April
Damn it…April kicks it out direct again…no man!
Chalk that try up to JP’s account.
Another kickoff mistake by April.
Adriaanse on…
Bring on Chilli…
@pastorshark (Comment 277) : He has been a bit of mixed bag tonight.
@Bokhoring (Comment 275) : Yes of 2015, They haven’t really been playing like champs this season.
Sharks will have a defensive lineout now…
@Bokhoring (Comment 275) : They have had a very average season, the fact that they won last year is irrelevant l.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 283) : For sure – but you don’t go from champs to chumps either,
Sharks managed that exit well…and the Sharks get a penalty…
Sithole on, Odwa off…
@Bokhoring (Comment 286) : Tell that to the reds.
@pastorshark (Comment 288) : At last
Good to see Sithole on!!!
We’re seeing glimpses of what the Sharks are working towards on attack….not clicking 100%, but I’m feeling optimistic – even if the Sharks lose here.
Sharks now have a scrum…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 292) : Patience…by the players, I mean…
Sithole must be ecstatic, a whole 15 minutes of rugby. Almost as good as getting a colourful Jersey to practice with.
Highlanders get a penalty…Beast is livid!! And the New Zealand commentators say he’s right…
Chilliboy is on…
Honestly guys, Beast is no captain. He has no idea how to speak to a referee. I love him as a player, but he’s no captain.
Geez the Afrikaans commentators are bad!!! Asking if Alberts is injured?
We get the lineout of f their throwin…
Come on men!
Ref misses another forward offload by the highlanders…
@JD (Comment 299) : That was embarassing… Should Google before saying anything.
Still 14 – 12 ?
Come on now Sharks…use this ball…
Commentators mention April not living up to the promise of his running game ability, I don’t disagree, has passed well but hasn’t greater much.
@JarsonX (Comment 304) : Yup…after 68 minutes…
Now let’s see what Chili brings.
@JD (Comment 299) : To be fair to them he could very well be injured…not on the Sharks books but still could very like be 🙂
@pastorshark (Comment 294) : Seems to be the missing ingredient, seems to stem from panic.
Almost intercepted by the Highlanders…knock on, Sharks scrum…
If that was not intercepted the Sharks were in for a try…so close!
Willie off and Pietersen on…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 310) : And inexperience plays a big role there…plus I’m still not convinced Beast is the right captain…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 303) : ja I have a couple of other words for that but let’s leave it at your embarrassing!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 310) : not watching the game but reading the comments the problem seems to be mental. When are we getting a kop doctor?
Very good Sharks scrum and they get a penalty advantage…great break by the Sharks but we’re tackled into touch 6m out…
Shocker by Ben Smith and we have an attacking lineout 5 out…come on!!
Andre manages to hold onto the ball and passes out of the tackle.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 316) : That’s the point I made just yesterday…
Great bust and offload by Andre!!! Come on Sharks!
Chilliboy has looked good already!
nice scrum beautifull pressure.
Jeepers ref!! That has to be a yellow card!! Sopoaga cynically offsides…even the Kiwi commentators say so!
@GreatSharksays (Comment 316) : Think you could be onto something… Just another thought i had reading recent comments- do you not think the’panic captaincy approach seems to have spread to the teams panicked play in general. Maybe ive worded that badly but think you know what i mean
It will at least be a 5m scrum to us…
Landers players in from the side on that maul. At least we managed a TMO decision there.
Sharks get the scrum…
Think the scrum might work better for the Sharks than a penalty!!!
@Bokhoring (Comment 327) : You see, this is the inconsistency!
Some serious home town Reffing.
should be penalty try that.
Sharks so close!!
April almost through!!!
Think Sharks needs to take another scrum!
Claassens almost through…penalty Sharks…take the scrum again!
Come on…be brave…now they will take the shot…
We have the scrum under huge pressure…we get a penalty for that…scrum again man!!
April is spot on, though and we lead again…
We needed April in the Bulls game.
14-15 after 75 minutes…
@pastorshark (Comment 336) : Beast instructs April to kick for poles. Wrong decision IMO.
Time left guys?
Deysel has been so good…
@Bokhoring (Comment 342) : Perhaps Beast doesnt trust ref to get scrum call right…
Highlanders attack…poor tackling Sharks…
Looks like the Sharks will take this one
Highlanders knock it and the Sharks breath again…
Mvovo has had a few shaky moments on defense today.
About 2 min to go.
Sopoaga misses a drop goal…wow!
Shit first time Andre kicks the kick is charged down!
My nerves are shot.
I see why Sheldon does not want Esterhuyzen to take the clearance kicks.
One min to go!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 353) : I can’t even bring the coffee cup up to my lips …..
Hooter about to go…Sharks defend…
What a lazy kick by esterhuizen
Booooooyah.
Always back our boys for the win.
Well done Sharks!!! Great victory!!!
FULL TIME
HIGHLANDERS 14 – 15 SHARKS
Boytjies!
And the Sharks squeeze out a win. That would be great for their confidence.
Forward pass…Sharks win!!
Fantastic. We needed that.
When last did we beat the Highlanders?
Very lucky, but I’ll take the win. Well done, Sharks!
@Bokhoring (Comment 354) : he can take clearance penalties only 😉
Will check how Chilli and Deysel looked when I get home.
@JarsonX (Comment 366) : 2014 S15 Quarter final.
OOHHHH Yessss!!! Thats how to start a weekend!! Well done guys, very hard fought!!!
Reliefffffffff
Fantastic result by the Sharks. Hope this gives some much needed confidence to rid us of those silly little errors. From all accounts not a polished performance but winning is winning. Man of the match?
Huge difference when Chilli joined the Scrum. I like.
Well atleast we won
Very lucky to win against 14 men.
Well done Sharks
@Ben (Comment 367) : With the poor refereeing, I think Highlanders were lucky to lose by such a small margin.
Dare we use that “C” word for this performance?
@GreatSharksays (Comment 369) : think Deysel had a good game. Chili did not show much but time wil show what he can do.
@Rvw (Comment 375) : Yes, the Highlanders was the best team for most of the game, that said, the Sharks really did look like the better side in the last 10, but lets be honest this could be a attribute to the Highlanders having to play with 14 almost all game.
@Rvw (Comment 375) : How often has a red card tripped up the other team?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 377) : Seriously? It’s always the referee.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 377) : Look I also watched the game and the Highlanders were by far the better side most of the game. The only time the game actually swing into our favour was when we had a huge scrum with 8 to go and our pressure on their line was immense. If we could replicate that type of play throughout the game then we will be hard to beat.
@Ben (Comment 382) : And you ALWAYS find reason to complain.
I cannot remember when I last saw a Sharks team running a multi-phased attack from their own 22 and ending up 2m from the oppo goal line.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 370) : Felt much longer ago than that, thanks
@FireTheLooser (Comment 384) : Wow, you’re out of line. What did I complain about? Ridiculous. 🙄
@Ben (Comment 382) : ja although I don’t think the ref was great we can hardly blame him for the Sharks mistakes like losing lineouts and knock-ons!
@JarsonX (Comment 386) : Maybe because they gave us a hiding at home in the league stages that year.
Those that watched the game- thoughts on Sharks man of the match?
Phew, great moral booster.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 383) : We squandered plenty of opportunities on attack, had we finished those off the score would have been far more favourable to us. Inexperience and nerves still costing the Sharks, but enough boxes ticked today to make me a happy camper.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 392) : A few minutes ago it was the ref’s fault. You’re contradicting yourself, old chap.
@Ben (Comment 387) : “Sharks were lucky”!
That’s complaining enough for me…you give zero credit to the Sharks….just blind luck.
@SheldonK (Comment 390) : although he received an yellow card I would give it to Lewies.
@Ben (Comment 393) : Listen kid, you clearly looking for someone to irritate – I’ve entertained your antics, now I’m done.
Only managed to catch the second half, but from what I saw the one player advantage did nothing more than even the playing field against a pretty off-their-game Highlanders team.
At the end, on their tryline, we continued to bash it up endlessly while the Highlanders backline went on their knees and thanked the higher powers then had a few beers together while our “manne” roughed up theirs.
Thank goodness we won, because losing this game would have knocked the mental stuffing out of us.
The positives are plenty, though. Things that still annoy are poor discipline and too many basic errors.
We’ll take the win, even an ugly win. Missed the game, but will try and see a replay of it somewhere over the weekend. What happened during JP’s yellow? Did Beast shout at the ref again, or what else went wrong there? Just heard some comments that he communicated very poorly with the ref
@Bokhoring (Comment 385) : Sounds good.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 396) : You started with the personal attacks. As you were.
@HeinF (Comment 398) : Yes, I just scanned through the first half and Beast basically accused the ref of wanting to even things out because of the Highlanders red card 😆
@FireTheLooser (Comment 394) : Zero credit? Did you read the second sentence or did you lose your reading glasses?
@JD (Comment 395) : Cool…nice to see him putting in good performances after his injury setbacks
@HeinF (Comment 398) : must say I think the first couple of games he was great but in the last couple of games he’s developing a bit of a nagging attitude. He’s complaining about a lot of decisions and think the refs might get irritated with it.
How Coenie starts is a mystery. Our scrums kak off all game until Adriaanse comes on.
@SheldonK (Comment 403) : ja personally I think he is pushing hard for a starting spot.
Couple thoughts on this game based on comments….
Beast seems a bit panicked/agitated in his captaincy and that seems to spread to the rest of the team in their play and they look jittery/anxious.
The Sharks seemed to try have more intent with ball in hand on attack.
Handling errors (including misplaced passes) seem to be detracting from any good play.
Sharks still seem to be giving away a lot of penalties every game which would make it difficult for them to sustain any pressure on the opposition.
April seems to have had an average game but seems to provide more enterprise from 10 than Pieterson has recently.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 405) : ja that’s also a mystery to me?! Adriaanse needs to start. Maybe even time to give Beast a break and start Thomas.
@JD (Comment 406) : Doesnt Lewies already start? Perhaps talking about different guys here
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 401) : @JD (Comment 404) : That is really disappointing from Beast. If he develops a reputation, it can come back to bite us. Here’s to hoping Lambie is back after the tour!
@SheldonK (Comment 407) : ja would agree with your thoughts but I think April could get a bit more credit as it was his first start and should start again next week.
@SheldonK (Comment 407) : Especially the two yellow cards for discipline issues relating to defending against 14 is worrying.
@SheldonK (Comment 407) : I think we lost more ball at the breakdown than from handling errors. The ratio of successful passes to passes attempted must be pretty high, and we made a lot more passes than usual.
@HeinF (Comment 398) : JP tackled the player, then rolled away ok. Then he did something really stupid and grabbed Aaron Smith’s foot as he was passing the ball.
Beast lost it and all-but accused the ref of bias.He was lucky not to be sent off right there and then
@JD (Comment 411) : Yeh happy with that thinking 🙂
@Bokhoring (Comment 413) : The fact that all that passing couldn’t lead to a breach of their tryline tells a story in itself.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 401) : @HeinF (Comment 410) : ja that was not a very good display of captaincy by Beast!!!
@Bokhoring (Comment 413) : Cool thanks. i did see a stat at halftime which showed we had made a lot more passes than the Highlanders. So guess they are trying the ball in hand approach a bit more…even if we are still struggling in contact. I really think the breakdowns boil down to accuracy but also largely a lack of aggression
@robdylan (Comment 414) : I was surprised that the ref just let it go. I thought Beast was in deep shit the moment the words came out of his mouth.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 416) : The age old Sharks problem of stuffing up 5 meters from the try line through the wrong decisions and messing up in general is obviously still there.
@Bokhoring (Comment 420) : And it still pisses me off no end 👿
@Bokhoring (Comment 420) : @Spirit of Rugby (Comment 421) : Careful now… 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 414) : @Spirit of Rugby (Comment 419) : he might still get into trouble for that comment.
@DuToit04 (Comment 371) : I’m assuming you managed to get a Kodi sports addon?
@robdylan (Comment 414) : I agree. Beast was way out of line. Unacceptable for a captain to behave like that.
@robdylan (Comment 414) : Wow, even worse than I thought! Then he really was lucky. Not sure if it will help, but after watching the replay, he should go and apologise. Think Gold’s reaction to the TMO might have rubbed off on him a bit…
Go Cheetahs!!!!! 😎
@Ben (Comment 425) : @HeinF (Comment 426) : he will be very lucky if he does not get into trouble for that comment!
@JD (Comment 428) : Maybe that will be a good thing. It will make him realise he has to keep his emotions in check. We need him as a leader in the team, he can’t loose it like this.
@HeinF (Comment 429) : personally think he should be benched for next game as I think he needs a rest.
@JD (Comment 430) : Yep, we have some good LH props, he can definitely have a bit of rest. If Keegan plays, he can take over the captain’s armband for one match. How did Keegan play btw?
@HeinF (Comment 431) : for me he did not have a bad game but then again he did nothing really great. Personally I think Deysel had more impact when he came on.
@HeinF (Comment 410) : @robdylan (Comment 414) : And this is the problem with Beast. He will take his hiding like a man….when in the wrong but he is too honest a person / player to just be accused of something that he didnt do and to suck it up and move on.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 433) : Yeah look…he does need to work on his ref management though. You can’t actually tell a ref during a game that he gave a yellow just to even out the teams…
@robdylan (Comment 414) : Agreed…Beast does get riled up a bit…last week too…
@pastorshark (Comment 434) : Keegan was always very good at managing a referee…
@HeinF (Comment 431) : He was good. Better in the second half than in the first. He made a few good steals, one or two poor decisions and came into the game a bit more at 8 (I thought)…
@HeinF (Comment 431) : Deysel, on the other hand, was a monster today!!
@JD (Comment 432) : Almost like you said…Keegan did do some good things…but Deysel really caught the eye!
@pastorshark (Comment 434) : @pastorshark (Comment 436) : think he was good during the first couple of games but during the last couple of games he really seemed to lose it a bit.
@Ben (Comment 425) : @HeinF (Comment 426) : Yeah…it was not good at all…at the time I was a bit upset that we got two yellows when the Highlanders could easily have (and least once should have) got yellows of their own. So I didn’t catch his comment first time around. I watched it again…and that’s not on. Beast has lost it a few times with the refs now. A serious word with him is in order!!
@pastorshark (Comment 439) : ja Deysel had a huge game! Think he needs to start next week.
@Bokhoring (Comment 420) : @Spirit of Rugby (Comment 421) : Yeah, really frustrating. We really created some wonderful opportunities today, but just cannot finish!!
@JD (Comment 442) : Definitely…
@pastorshark (Comment 441) : think it’s time to give him a bit of a break and let Thomas start.
Jeepers reading how good Deysel was is almost as pleasing as the win. I thought those days were long gone.
@SheldonK (Comment 418) : I think it is a major case of the MANAGEMENT of the breakdown. Several times we had four okes flying in and then no one to secure/play the ball. Somebody just need to see that, manage that breakdown and ensure the ball is either played or secured, not just lying there…
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 446) : Watch the highlights…he made big yards…and several Highlanders will feel their encounters with him tomorrow morning…
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 416) : It led to the creation of plenty of opportunities…there was some good play there…just flipping finish those damn it!!
@pastorshark (Comment 447) : ja that was a bit of a problem. Hope they can sort it before the next game.
@pastorshark (Comment 448) : ja don’t think the Landers were so glad to see him back! Especially the guys sitting on their backsides after trying to tackle him.
@pastorshark (Comment 447) : I think the problem starts with needing 4 guys or more to secure the ball…so guys go flying in because they afraid we will turn it over. If we watch the NZ sides they need max 3 guys to secure their ruck ball and often only 2…this gives them plenty of options to attack and also secure any subsequent rucks.
@SheldonK (Comment 407) : April was better than average. He made three clear unforced errors…other than that he was much better than Joe…
@pastorshark (Comment 453) : That is good to hear. I read both good and bad comments so went with average. I think what he does a lot better than Joe (who to be fair is a much better 15 than 10) is his deceptive distribution. It just holds the defense that extra second or two which is key.
@SheldonK (Comment 454) : for sure April is a better running flyhalf and showed some good things with ball in hand. Think he can be good if given a couple of starts.
@pastorshark (Comment 448) : Ive recorded it, like I did last weeks game, I have only managed to watch 5 minutes of that game so far.