[2016 Super Rugby] Highlanders vs. Sharks (Round 9) 22/04/2016

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Time: 09:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Probably gonna be a loooooooong tour for the Sharks. They have yet to address any of the issues they had at the union when John Smit took over. IE their approach/gameplan hasn't changed one bit while their personel has to some degree and isn't as much geared for attrition like previous bunch which included Alberts, Bismarck, Pienaar and Frans Steyn amongst others who could make that 'strangle' game work.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Probably gonna be a loooooooong tour for the Sharks. They have yet to address any of the issues they had at the union when John Smit took over. IE their approach/gameplan hasn't changed one bit while their personel has to some degree and isn't as much geared for attrition like previous bunch which included Alberts, Bismarck, Pienaar and Frans Steyn amongst others who could make that 'strangle' game work.

Could be, but the Sharks for some strange reason manages to get a win in NZ when the odds are not in their favour. Remember that win against the Crusaders when Deysel got a red card in the first half??

The Reds already showed how to beat the Highlanders, the Sharks should try and do the same.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I'm not sure the Reds necessarily showed how to beat us, can't bank on us missing 30 odd tackles in the first half, they definitely took the chances though so full credit but you can't plan for it

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I don't know that the Reds had a template game plan as much as that a few players stood up, the team as a whole out-enthused the Highlanders and to a degree caught them napping (and without a few key players).

If anything the Highlanders going down to the Reds is bad news for the Sharks IMO just as I am thinking the Reds will struggle vs an angry Stormers team.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

really hoping we come out firing after the loss

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Highlanders:

15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Jason Emery, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Shane Christie (cc), 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

 

[Bull]

The Shardines are in for a massive hiding!

Sharks
15. Willie le Roux, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. JP Pietersen, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Garth April, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Philip 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)
Substitutes: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Thomas du Toit , 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Jean Deysel, 21. Michael Claassens, 22. Joe Pietersen, 23. S'bura Sithole

 

[TRF_heineken]

The Shardines are in for a massive hiding!

Sharks
15. Willie le Roux, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. JP Pietersen, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Garth April, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Philip 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)
Substitutes: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. Thomas du Toit , 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Jean Deysel, 21. Michael Claassens, 22. Joe Pietersen, 23. S'bura Sithole

I don't know about a hiding, I think they have a chance to win.

Chiliboy returns to rugby after his 2-year ban. It's going to be interesting to see how he will play after 2 years with no game time. And then Jean Deysel also returns from injury.

 

[unrated]

Bad fall by le Roux very dangerous i honestly feared for his career. Bad luck to the tackler it did not look deliberate but you cant tackle guy in the air. I would've had a yellow

 

[austingtir]

Highlanders in deep dodo here. Red card 15 minutes into the f'n game!! This is where losing buckman for the season is going to cost us that guy playing at 12 has been utter crap for us the last two games imo.

This could be the start of a big slump for the Highlanders.... They have like 5 tough games in a row here.

That said I think they can still win this..... atleast I hope so.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

I don't know about a hiding, I think they have a chance to win.

Most certainly do now.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Inexperience from Emery putting Le Roux and the Highlanders' chances in danger. I wonder whether the decision for red had anything to do with the fact that the Highlanders just got inged for pulling dwn the maul and then boom, Emery takes out Le Roux. I didn't think the Sharks had a chance this game but they just might now.

Starting April was a positive move but they should've started Sithole over Ndungane as well IMO

 

[austingtir]

Man is this ref blind the sharks are mad offside at the ruck constantly. Taking out A Smith at every ruck its BS.

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haha sharks are so dumb. They have missed so many chances already its ridiculous. Just keep it up Sharkos. The HL will only need one chance down your end.

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This ref is just allowing a total free for all both ways at the ruck. Theres simply no way both teams are totally legal at these rucks!

 

[TobesHodges]

That le roux fall!!! :O

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Isn't that a tad cynical?

 

[austingtir]

Im ****in loving this ****. The Sharks should have two men in the bin atleast imo.

 

[austingtir]

Sharks must pretty much only train on defence its fairly impressive.

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How can that idiot sharks prop even argue that yellow its clear as day!?

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

I would have thought accusing the ref of trying to even things up might be enough for a yellow card.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

That's gotta be the worst kick i've seen in a long time.