The Sharks’ big win over the Hurricanes last week was crucial, in that it arrested the slide towards a mid-table finish that had arguably begun as far back as their home loss against the Crusaders back in Round 4. While the team did well to pick up a reasonable haul of log points on an arduous tour, one felt that they weren’t going to seriously challenge the contenders in the African conferences until they started picking up wins week in and week out.
That’s all changed now and the team is suddenly right back up in the mix, a single log point behind the Lions and just two behind the Stormers and Bulls. It must be pointed out, though, that the Sharks have played one extra game than any of these three opponents, making their position still a little precarious. In short, for them to progress, there’s absolutely no substitute to continuing to win games. That simply has to start this week against los Jaguares, regardless of all the challenges in the build up to this rather strange game.
Obviously, it’s the Lions that must be the first target for the Sharks. Reel in that difference in log points and a top spot finish in Africa 2 becomes a possibility. That means automatic qualification and simply has to be first prize. The Lions still face their own trip to Buenos Aires, plus a tricky fixture at Loftus and (of course) this weekend’s humdinger against the Blues. The Sharks will need them to lose at least one of those encounters in order for the big show-down between the two contenders (at Ellis Park on 2 July) to have any real relevance.
The consolation of a wildcard spot is also very much still a possibility, given that the Bulls themselves still face tough away games against the Waratahs and Jaguares, as well as home fixtures against the Stormers and Lions. One would fancy that it’s the Pretoria team that will ultimately be the one the Sharks have to beat out to finish third in the combined African group, assuming they don’t quite manage to catch the Lions.
As before, destiny is quite firmly in the hands of Gary Gold and his team, but that has to start with a win this week. Pick up points in Argentina, and the fixture list suddenly looks like a doddle; home games against the Kings, Cheetahs and Sunwolves (occupying three of the bottom four places on the log) with only that massive clash at Ellis Park looming as a big challenge. Hell, there could even be some bonus points on the table for extra spice.
Come on Sharks – let’s do this thing!
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These next couple games before the International break are crucial. Judging by the team the Jaguares picked it will be a hell of a tough game over there. The Kings have lost key personnel so i cant see them posing much of a threat to the Sharks at home provided the Sharks arrive with the right mindset. That will set things up for a real bash after the internationals…and hopefully some more guys will be fit for selection then.
Sharks must pick up at least 9 log points against Argies and Kings if they want to have any hope of reaching play off games.
The first hurdle is this weekend. I think that old cliche of taking it game by game is how the Sharks should approach this situation. But boy looking at it now, how crucial is that kick that Joe missed against the Bulls. O well, what is it they say about spilled milk??
Good Luck lads.
It all will depend on this weekends results. The Sharks have to win this one and the the possibility of topping our section could become a real possibility.
Dont discount the Blues taking a win against the Lions, its really not impossible.
@Farlington (Comment 3) : What is it about the the Sharks and missing crucial kicks against the Bulls.
anyone know of a stream for super matches. Supersport is down with tech issues
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 5) : Our current situation might not have been ideal if we were a settled team playing a number of seasons together. But we are not and we are still building towards being a complete team. So the missed opportunities thus far might get us asking “what if” but I’m still proud of the team and what they’ve accomplished. I think we had the worst of the travel draw and faced all the NZL sides. Apart from the Saders game we really did well against the NZL’ers and that gives me hope.
And I’m sure there will be those who disagree but I don’t really care. I just hope that the long break next month won’t cause too many disruptions.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 5) : that’s what makes live interesting! As for the Blues ja Lions should win but nothing is impossible. Stats on radio said this season NZ teams won 13 of 16 games against Oz teams and 10 of 13 against SA teams so ja they’re dominating the competition again.
@Gerhardt (Comment 6) : http://www.vipleague.ws/sports/rugby.html
@Farlington (Comment 7) : If at the start of the competition someone offered me the position we are in now after 10 rounds of the competition,I would have grabbed it with both hands – to recap, a nightmare draw and travel schedule mostly done and dusted, played all 5 NZ teams – done and dusted, Played Stormers and Bulls away done and dusted.
We havent played great rugby for most of the time but we have hung in there and gradually improved and that has at least given us a sniff.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 10) : well said!!! Think most of the Sharks supporters would agree with you BUT if you look at some games like the Bulls and other close games they lost I think it could have been a lot better and that’s why we moan a bit (well OK moan a lot)!
@Gerhardt (Comment 6) : Know your pain. Come the weekend, come the Supersport technical issues 🙄
@vanmartin (Comment 12) : you sure it’s Supersport and not your wife that’s to blame for the “technical issues”? ;-D
@JD (Comment 13) : Technical issues being her sticking a screwdriver into the dish just before game time. ; )
My dsl is sorted so I’ll be streaming through kodi. If needs be I’ll use cricfree or VIP. I just hate those adds.
im still not connected. DSTV is a rip off as it is. other sporting codes available on smaller packages but those who want to enjoy Rugby has to subscribe to the full package.
@coolfusion do u have a link for kodi or cricfree
@Gerhardt (Comment 16) : For your pc: https://kodi.tv/kodi-16-0-jarvis-mark-xvi/ (You can also get it on the Play Store for your phone or tablet.)
There are a number of sports addons, with Sportsdevil probably the most popular. Here’s how to install it: https://www.tvaddons.ag/sportsdevil-sports-kodi/
The advantage of Kodi is that there are no ads, the streams don’t have malware, there are no comment tickers and the quality is usually pretty good.
@coolfusion (Comment 14) : thinking more along the lines of unplugging a cable untill the grass is mowed or the game is over 😉
@Gerhardt (Comment 16) : Kodi is a software package you download it then configure the repositories and voila free sport and movies and series. Cricfree and Vipbox are websites that stream the games. To find sites like this go to google type in- jaguares vs sharks live stream free. Those two normally first in the results list.
@JD (Comment 18) : Ja shame..it’s his own fault really he should have trained her….me I have the world’s most dedicated sharks fan for a wife so I better make sure the game is on else there will be [email protected]
@coolfusion (Comment 19) : but it does take data?
@coolfusion (Comment 20) : well done! My wife refuses to watch most games with me because I’m a bit loud especially when the Sharks or the ref is not particularly good.
@JD (Comment 21) : Yes it does. Also you must have a decent link speed otherwise it messes up completely since it’s live not a movie. So about 4Mb or better line. The download speed (actual, not what your isp sells it as) must be >300 kbps per device streaming.
@JD (Comment 22) : I have to do my best to hold her back she gets really worked up about the boys. And every ref that has ever or will ever give a decision against the sharks is a d**s. I have given up trying to explain when the call is actually fair. In her world there is no such thing.
@JD (Comment 21) : Roughly about 1 GB of data for an 80 minutes of streaming. Standard definition.
@coolfusion (Comment 23) : @coolfusion (Comment 25) : thanx for the info.
cant wait for the bok game tonight 😆
🙂
@coolfusion (Comment 24) : sounds like it could be fun watching a game with her! We should watch a game together but not sure you or my wife would survive!
@shrodingers cat (Comment 27) : take it you’re talking about the 7’s?! Hope they can win the tournament?
@JD (Comment 29) :
nope im actually talking about Montpellier VS Harlequins 😆
@shrodingers cat (Comment 30) : ok. Enjoy it.
Montpellier 3 – 3 HQ
Try mogg . Got started by Paul willemse who made a break breaking 2 tackles ! Montpellier 10-3 HQ
Willemse is really having a great season , I hope he gets a bok call up
Penalty Montpellier 13-3 HQ
Penalty HQ . Montpellier 13-6 HQ
@schrodingers cat (Comment 34) : not saying he does not deserve it just can’t see it happening whilst he’s playing overseas.
@JD (Comment 37) : if only we could have our players back .
Montpellier 13-9 HQ
Montpellier dominating set pieces and dominating the HQ pack but giving away to many penalties
Try Montpellier all started with great forward dominance from the SA pack , great to see !
Montpellier 20-9 HQ
Penalty Montpellier
Montpellier 23-9 HQ
@schrodingers cat (Comment 38) : yes some of the overseas players could really strengthen the Bokke but we will have to wait and see what AC decides to do.
Frans Steyn having a good game so far
I wish we could still have Jake white as coach . His rugby may not look attractive but it always gets results
Try HQ!!!
Montpellier 23-13 HQ
Penalty HQ
Montpellier 26-HQ 19
Montpellier wins 26-19 !!
Bismarck, Willemse and Steyn were the standout players for MP
@schrodingers cat (Comment 48) : great to hear SA players doing good overseas especially if they’re ex-Sharks players!
@schrodingers cat (Comment 47) : Harlequens acting all shocked and disappointed at the loss – you can’t play poorly for 72mins, and expect to win because you threw everything at the opposition for a measly 8mins.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 50) : so they watched a Sharks game and used it as a blueprint for their game plan?!?!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 50) : I do feel sorry for the bloke that kicked the position away at the end , must of had a brain damage from Bismarck tackling him
@JD (Comment 51) : really,the drought getting to you,the Great White feeds again,and what condition those ex Sharks are in,eish
@benji (Comment 53) : was actually referring to Harlequins.
Congrats to Montpellier. Pierre Spies is still super kak! What does Jake White see in him?
@schrodingers cat (Comment 52) : He’s a Montpellier player now. 🙂
@schrodingers cat (Comment 48) : What about Catrakilis? 16 points on his own and a ‘try assist’. If that doesn’t standout then I don’t know what does. 😉
Just woke up from a beautiful dream. Was watching the Sharks playing the most beautiful brand of rugby, linking, interplay etc..wow. Lewis was all over the show, outplaying PSDT in SR semi final, even broke the line and sprinted from the halfway mark to score under the poles. We beat the Stormers comfortably…at Newlands to qualify for the finals. Had people talking about him being the starting lock for the Boks in the trinations. Was so happy. Had to wake up.
@Ben (Comment 57) : forget about him , Ja he had a outstanding game on fly half, his boot is golden and he made good decisions, he also fits in to jake whites game plan of having a tactical kicking orientated fly half
@GreatSharksays (Comment 58) : I dreamt about puting Schrodingers dog in a box filled with poisonous gas
@JD (Comment 54) : eish sorry for that then
We complain about Reinach’s slowish service, but Piet van Zyl has got to be the slowest to clear a ruck that I’ve seen in ages….even an overweight prop from the 80’s will clear a ruck quicker than him.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 62) : He was pretty decent in his Cheetah days, but now he has lost the plot completely.
Worrytahs doing the Sharks a big favor today.
@Bokhoring (Comment 64) : Very big favour.
Maybe Jesse and Dan want to come back now…
I shouldn’t enjoy the Sunwolves ascendancy in the his game this much, but it’s just so difficult not to enjoy seeing the streamers struggling this much.
14 – 3 Sunwolves
45mins
😀
17 – 10 Sun wolves
68min
@JarsonX (Comment 69) : Streamers look like the bye took all their energy. Maybe the Jags have a similar issue tonight
We can beat the Jaguares if we box clever and cut out the silly errors.
Commentators don’t seem to realise that it’s a draw….as good as a loss when you consider the opposition.
Stormers try!
17 point Draw
DHL [email protected]#&%’s squeek a draw. Die Burger,on Thursday wrote Kolbe into the Bok fullback berth. I wish they were talking about 7’s.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 75) : He was rubbish…. They were all rubbish (‘cept for psDt – seems to embrace the streamers tantrums these days though).
This Stormers team, without PSdT would be an embarrassment.
@benji (Comment 61) : it’s OK!
Bad luck Sunwolves…well played, though…
@Bokhoring (Comment 64) : @Ben (Comment 65) : Very, very big favour!
@Bokhoring (Comment 64) : @Ben (Comment 65) : @pastorshark (Comment 80) : for sure especially if the Lions also lose to the Blues tonight!
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 77) : PSDT missing out on playing for a well drilled team. At least he has the view of the mountain.
@JarsonX (Comment 71) : We are going to have to box very clever. The Jaguarers are going to be very pumped for this one. They might even deem the season a success if they beat us. We are just going to have to bring them back to the reality of SR by bringing our A game.
Since the Cape scribes have pretty much selected this whole team for the Boks, is this draw almost as bad as the Boks losing to Japan then?
@Bokhoring (Comment 84) : hahaha ja maybe even worse!!!
@GreatSharksays (Comment 82) : and he’s close to his family.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 83) : for sure! Sharks will also need to play structured rugby.
@JD (Comment 86) : Apart from his brother
@Bokhoring (Comment 88) : well either the younger brother is a rebel or he will also be heading home once his contract expires.
@JD (Comment 89) : …as soon as the Sharks turn him too into a Bok 😉
@JD (Comment 89) : Or before. 😈
@FireTheLooser (Comment 90) : @Ben (Comment 91) : let’s wait and see?!