[2017 Super Rugby] Round 11: Sharks vs. Force (06/05/2017)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Growthpoint Kings Park
Time: 15:05 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[Durbanite]

Sharks

15. Rhyno Smith, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Jeremy Ward, 11. Sbu Nkosi, 10. Curwin Bosch, 9. Michael Claassens, 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Philip van der Walt (captain), 5. Ruan Botha, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Thomas du Toit

Substitutes: 16. Franco Marais, 17. Beast Mtawarira, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Stephan Lewies, 20. Tera Mtembu, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Pat Lambie, 23. Johan Deysel

Force

15. Marcel Brache, 14. James Verity-Amm, 13. Curtis Rona, 12. Billy Meakes, 11. Alex Newsome, 10. Jono Lance, 9. Ian Prior, 8. Isireli Naisarani, 7. Matt Hodgson (captain), 6. Brynard Stander, 5. Adam Coleman, 4. Ross Haylett-Petty, 3. Tetara Faulkner, 2. Tatafu Polata-Nau, 1. Pek Cowan

Substitutes: 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Francios van Wyk, 18. Shambeckler Vui, 19. Lewis Carmichael, 20. Richard Hardwick, 21. Mitchell Short, 22. Luke Burton, 23. Peter Grant

 

[Durbanite]

Bosch's last game before he leaves for the U-20 world cup. Lambie's on the bench, lucky timing though I suppose they probably predicted he might be playable in time, here's hoping he's fit and up to the task. The back line keeps getting more and more exciting imo, very keen to see Sbu Nkosi in action. I'm feeling fairly confident going into this one, considering our recent wobbly performances, but I feel like the Sharks can start improving from this game toward the playoffs

 

[unrated]

I'm glad lambie is back from injury. I Feel more confident with him on the team. We saw what happened last year. The team was doing well and qualified for the finals and then got smashed.

A full strength team is essential for the final stages otherwise we are just going to get smashed up by the Hurricanes again.

 

[Durbanite]

I enjoyed this one but am disappointed no BP. Sbu Nkosi has a nice step, very excited to see what the future is like for him. Lambie was silent, I think he came on later than he should. There were some nice passages of play where the handling error stats were 7 - 1 or something which is rare for the Sharks. Too bad about the two disallowed tries, did not see the maul try that was pinged for obstruction, but I hear it was a shaky decision, I rate Rasta though so doubt it was a sketchy call. Rhyno Smith has great energy, just needs to hit the gap and not the man, heaps better than the (shudder) SP Marais days of old, I feel our 15 is actually contributing now. Michael Claassens is frustrating, his box kicks are frequent and the majority are inaccurate and too far to contest, and his delivery is shaky, he didn't make the best decisions on the day IMO. Etienne Oosthuizen was okay, but there were a few moments that he tried to stay up and scrap rather than go down and protect the ball in our 22 with little support etc. Verity-Amm's try was great, that little pop into the space for their 10 caught me off guard lol. Onwards to PE for Kings, and hopefully a BP and some redemption.

 

[unrated]

Happy with the game. Some would say it was a weak team and that you can't use the result as a barometer of performance. But good sides are expected to beat weak sides especially at home . So that should count for something that they at least achieved what was expected.

I like Sbu Nkosi he seems fast and fresh. If I was coach I would drop the established Mvovo for him. Mvovo is not really a match winner anymore and although it's too early to say about Sbu at least he is young and we can develop him for the next 5 or 6 years.

I still need to be convinced that Rhyno Smith is a good player. Hope he does succeed though. Although with Lambie back Curwin will have to move to fullback after the June test series.

Jeremy Ward was outstanding. The commitment in trying to reach that ball with that last ditch kick that resulted in a try was amazing. One of the tries of the season for me.

Things are looking good for the playoffs. Hope we get the Hurricanes. They humiliated as last year and the players visibly gave up before the final hooter. We need revenge.