2014 Super Rugby: Sharks v Reds (Round 5)

[Draggs]

PSdT out for 2014
Matfield can now limp into the Boks.
Step forward, Stephan Lewies.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

This Sharks team is taking a few hits now. While they should certainly be favorites in their next three matches (home to the Reds and Waratahs, away to the Bulls), I wouldn't be surprised to see them slipping up once or twice.

If they were to lose this weekend (which is unlikely, given the Australian teams tend to fair poorly in the Republic) then their season could head down hill dramatically.

 

[ABs2011]

This Sharks team is taking a few hits now. While they should certainly be favorites in their next three matches (home to the Reds and Waratahs, away to the Bulls), I wouldn't be surprised to see them slipping up once or twice.

If they were to lose this weekend (which is unlikely, given the Australian teams tend to fair poorly in the Republic) then their season could head down hill dramatically.

Just wondering why you say that Fish? I havent watched the Sharks this year, but my understanding is they are one of the front runners for the whole comp and pretty big favs to take out the SA conference. Have they got injuries or u just dont rate them? I;m also wondering whether u might think they will struggle away from home and therefore need to win their next few before heading off to ANZ? Just interested!

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Oh it's not a case of them being poor or anything like that. More so that the Reds and Bulls are building whilst the Waratahs are already hitting their stride. If the Reds somehow get up over the Sharks (which although unlikely is distinctly possible), the Bulls and Waratahs will be very confident going into their matches that they can cause more upsets. When I say downhill I don't mean midtable downhill, I just mean not as on as track as it currently looks (or as brilliant as it promises!).

The Sharks still have a very good draw, they don't head overseas until Round 12, so there would be plenty of time to get up a bit of a points buffer by the team they leave South Africa, but of course at the end of the season every match counts.

 

[ABs2011]

Cool, makes sense. So what are SAs thoughts about the Sharks? From as unbiased a view point as possible, are these guys SAs sole hope for the Championship? From what I've seen of the Kiwi sides the Chiefs are leagues ahead, with IMO only the Crusaders which have a squad good enough to also challenge from NZ. In OZ, NSW look very good (not sure if they are good enough to win the whole things though) outside of them though I don't feel the other OZ teams have much chance.

Interested to hear about SA teams as I don't follow them closely.

 

[Jaguares]

Cool, makes sense. So what are SAs thoughts about the Sharks? From as unbiased a view point as possible, are these guys SAs sole hope for the Championship? From what I've seen of the Kiwi sides the Chiefs are leagues ahead, with IMO only the Crusaders which have a squad good enough to also challenge from NZ. In OZ, NSW look very good (not sure if they are good enough to win the whole things though) outside of them though I don't feel the other OZ teams have much chance.

Interested to hear about SA teams as I don't follow them closely.

I think that this year no team is unbeatable, not even Chiefs look so great as in previous years. I think this is a good year for an Aussie or SA team to win the trophy

 

[ABs2011]

I think that this year no team is unbeatable, not even Chiefs look so great as in previous years. I think this is a good year for an Aussie or SA team to win the trophy

Agreed, but I;m not sure that is a particularly bold statement. You could probably only state the alternative back in the Blues and Crusaders hay-day!

Did you think I was saying I think the Chiefs are unbeatable this year? Far from it. If I did I would have my money on the line with them which I can assure you I don't.

Like I said, I don't have a good handle on the SA teams, so potentially there's a competition winner there; sharks being the obvious choice from what I can see. I'm not sold on the OZ teams but NSW look to have a shot at least, and if the Crusaders can get their sh i t together then I believe they are a ***le contender. I;m not sure a winner will come from outside those teams but you never know.

In saying all that, without a good read on the Sharks though, my pick of the lot would be the Chiefs.

I think also a strong argument can be made that the Chiefs this year (barring injuries) are actually a better team than last year.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Draggsy, I'm here in The Hague, at the pub watching the Sharks game with LordHope / Seaton. Small TRF meeting haha.

 

[Jaguares]

Very very difficult away game but nothing is impossible. C'mon Reds!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Draggs]

Haha wish I could join! Get him back on TRF!!
Sharks showing good control so far.

 

[Jaguares]

Stupid Harris!!! He lost a great opportunity in the final minutes of the first half

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Great first half by Natal, second half was poor. We almost gave it away but we got a win. 4 points and prepare for next week.

Sithole had a good game, Pietersen as well. Good to have him back.

 

[Jaguares]

Great first half by Natal, second half was poor. We almost gave it away but we got a win. 4 points and prepare for next week.

Sithole had a good game, Pietersen as well. Good to have him back.

Reds made ​​a great second half, if only Harris had taken the opportunity that was before the end of the first half, maybe the game might have had a different ending.

 

[Draggs]

Great to see JP back.
dominant first half, passive second. Lambie and Steyn kept the point ticking over, and the lads managed a try late to seal it. Plenty to work on, but they look up for it.

@Conrad. Yep,that was huge. Could have set the he second half for the reds so they wouldn't have had to chase the game so far.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Jeez just realised that the Sharks have played all of their matches at home so far!

 

[austingtir]

Jeez just realised that the Sharks have played all of their matches at home so far!

And loads more to come.... they actually have a pretty mean draw imo. Only the latter stages they are constantly away so they can build a crap load of momentum and confidence before then.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Yes, but I feel it's better to end with home games, to build momentum going into the play offs

 

[Draggs]

I am pleased with 4/4 and all, but two things concern me so far.
1) We haven't played away. 2011/12 we had a few home matches late in the season that propelled us into the SFs/QFs. Bulls this weekend will be a big litmus test for us.
2) Falling asleep in the second half. Took the Bulls by storm in the first half, same with Reds. Lions had a boost around the hour mark. Can't keep taking our foot off the gas. Sharks used to do really well early in second half IIRC. We'd skulk around in the first half, and even if we were down by a few, I didn't worry as we could usually pull one or two tries out way.

Also not converting pressure into points. Well, partially. We built up a great lead though 3's against the Reds, but we should have had a few more tries. Same with when we played the Hurricanes. Steyn has been a mixed bag, maybe rotation and bring in Heimar? Williams-Sithole is very green though. Esterhuizen?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Did any of you guys catch Jannie Du Plessis telling the ref "moenie my fokken lecture oor scrum nie". translation: "Don't ****ing lecture me about scrumming"

I had a good chuckle about that, because Jannie was actually correct.

 

[Bull]

Did any of you guys catch Jannie Du Plessis telling the ref "moenie my fokken lecture oor scrum nie". translation: "Don't ****ing lecture me about scrumming"

I had a good chuckle about that, because Jannie was actually correct.

I didn't get to watch any rugby over the weekend but it doesn't surprise me that someone had something to say to the ref, in general they have no clue about scrums.

Also read this article now on PR, Lourens vd Merwe is a **** poor ref. I would really prefer it if we could go back to neutral refs.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9217027,00.html