23-04-2011: Flesh-eating predators take on rampaging wheather storms

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Saturday, 16:05 GMT. The Sharks from Durban take on the Hurricanes from Wellington. Last week the Sharks had a week off and they really needed it. They travelled around the world in less than 80 days, playing the Force in Perth, the Rebels in Melbourne, the Chiefs in Hamilton and the Crusaders in London until they finally came back to SA where the Stormers were waiting. 2 weeks ago the Lions came up short in Durban with a 27-3 loss which was the first win for the men in black since the 32-34 win over the Rebels.

Patrick Lambie missed out on the matches against the Crusaders, Stormers and Lions with a hand-injury and he will finally be back next weekend. The Sharks really seem to have missed him with losing out on bonus points due to bad kicking of his replacement Jacques-Louis Potgieter. While he had a good opening towards JP Pietersen who scored a wonderful try because of that against the Lions, his goalkicking has really made the Sharks suffer and made the fans sweat. With Lambie back, it would mean the former Bull will have to sit on the bench.

Another player who's return has been long-awaited is Jean Deysel. Deysel suffered a serious ankle-injury last year in the Currie Cup against the Lions and he has been rehabilitating ever since. Can he finally make his comeback? And who will have to give up his spot for Deysel? Is it Daniel? Alberts maybe? Or Kankowski? In all 3 scenario's there is an amazing backrow to work with. If Daniel moves to the bench, they have 2 wrecking balls and the quick Kankowski to take advantage of the wholes in the defense because of it. If Deysel replaces Alberts, the latter one gets some time to rest which gives him some time to take a breath. Finally there's the possibility of Alberts moving to 8 to give Deysel the position of flanker. No matter what the decision is that coach John Plumtree makes, it will still be amazing to have Deysel back.

On to the Hurricanes... What can we say? Their attack has proven to be able to score tries (hence the 6 in Bloemfontein last weekend) but in that match, the defensive problems were shown as well. Sarel Pretorius scored a hat-trick and debutant Riaan Smit added another 2. Conceding 5 tries is something the Wellington side has to work on. The Canes have been waiting for a player to return as well, Piri Weepu.

Weepu didn't travel with the team to South Africa and is still not considered fit to play. The scrum-half is needed for the team who lost Aaron Cruden and Conrad Smith last week with injuries of which Conrad Smith suffered the most with a head-on collision against the Brumbies in week 8 which got him a fractured nose. Jayden Hayward and Beauden Barrett have to replace the duo but the question is if they can bring it against the Sharks. On a slightly different note, Cory Jane is also still back in New Zealand where he is becoming a father for the 3rd time.

Much will depend on Hosea Gear, who scored 2 tries last week and will be looking for more 5-pointers in Durban. Can he bring a serious blow to the Sharks team or will he be chasing his opponent JP Pietersen most of the time?


History:
Last year both teams played each other in Wellington where the Sharks won 26-29 thanks to tries by Patrick Lambie and JP Pietersen, both converted by Ruan Pienaar (Now at Ulster) who slotted 5 penalties in the process. Ma'a Nonu and Victor Vito scored tries for the Canes with Weepu converting both and adding 2 penalties. Willie Ripia (Now Western Force) also kicked for goal twice to add but it wasn't enough.

2009 was the year that Nonu was top try scorer in the competition but in Durban he didn't score a single try. The Sharks beat the wellington side in that year as well, 33-17 with tries to Luzuko Vulindlu, Francois Steyn (now Racing Metro) and Chris Jordaan which were converted by Rory Kockott (Now at the Lions). The 17 points for the Hurricanes where scored by Zac Guildford (Crusaders) and Faifili Levave.

The last time the Hurricanes won, is already 5 years ago. Since then, they had a 13-13 draw in 2008 besides all the losses. Can they turn it around this time?




2010: Hurricanes 26-29 Sharks at Wellington
2009: Sharks 33-17 Hurricanes at Durban
2008: Hurricanes 13-13 Sharks at Wellington
2007: Sharks 27-14 Hurricanes at Durban
2006: Hurricanes 23-17 Sharks at Wellington

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Jean Deysel is a machine top points to him.

 

[Darwin]

Great preview Ezequiel!

Thought I'd note that Cory Jane has flown over to South Africa to join his team mates after the birth of his child - he may be feeling pressure to keep his AB's spot with the strong performance of a number of NZ outside backs so far. I'd expect he will come straight back into the starting lineup, probably at fullback with Taylor moving to the wing in place of Leiua (they could stick with Taylor at fullback and put Jane on the wing). I'd like to see Leiua switch to centre as well, but I suspect they will stick with Hayward. The only change I'd make in the forwards is to start Eaton ahead of Thrush (not that there is much between them), and possibly consider switching Lam to 7 and bringing in Levave at 6 (to combat the Sharks strong ball runners in Alberts and Deysel).

I'd say the Sharks will start as firm favourites, and unless the Canes pack steps up it might be quite a big win for the Sharks.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Thanks, I don't really follow the NZ side as intensively as the SA sides so that's why the Hurricanes-part is a bit short, sorry. Couldn't sleep so had to keep myself busy

 

[Darwin]

I'm quite interested in seeing what the Sharks do with their loose-forward trio. I think Deysel and Alberts are both very similar players, so I'd struggle to put them in the same starting trio. Personally I'd stick with the same starting trio, and bring Deysel on for Alberts (or Kankowski) with 20-30 to go.

 

[nickdnz]

I can't see the Canes winning this, without Conrad Smith and with their current pack. Noticed you have put 2008 match as a draw >.>...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Most beautiful draw I've seen in my life hahahaha. I remember this one. I will watch the last 4 matches between the 2 again this week as a warm up for saturday

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I am watching the 2004 encounter between the 2 teams now. Cool to see... Coastal Sharks Match played in Yarrow Stadium, Plymouth.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Should be a really good game, especially after the stunt they did last week.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I can assure you, the Hurricanes won't score 6 tries in Durban

 

[JJR]

Canes can score max 3; but i don't think Blues even scored even 1 in Durbz. Sharks will take it comfortably; Pat Lambie to score like around 20 points. This is if it doesn't rain. Sharks are so confident Deysel is only coming back in after 2-4 weeks. Gotta Captain Sharks XV to the final.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

We won the first 3 matches without conceding a try including the match in round 2 against the Blues. I just hope we win this with a bonuspoint. We really need to win and get 5-pointers to have a small buffer for next week when we go to Cape Town

 

[Cassie]

Rugby Joke

A man had two of the best tickets for the Currie Cup Final. As he sits down, another man comes along and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him. "No", he says, "the seat is empty." "This is incredible!" said the man, "who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Currie Cup Final, the biggest sporting event of the year, and not use it?" He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the first Currie Cup Final we haven't been to together since we got married." "Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. I guess you couldn't find someone else, a friend or relative or even a neighbour to take the seat?" The man shakes his head.... "No.They're all at the funeral."

The sharks have a very good chance of beating a fired up Hurricanes team with Lambie possibly starting and adding the necessary ump they need to make sure they win. First thing that should be on their mind is to win the game of course and then get the bonus.<O</O

 

[JJR]

We won the first 3 matches without conceding a try including the match in round 2 against the Blues. I just hope we win this with a bonuspoint. We really need to win and get 5-pointers to have a small buffer for next week when we go to Cape Town

They (Canes) conceded 40+ points against Cheetahs...we shoudl not have a problem scoring 4 tries...again i say the weather is an important aspect; we very bad at adapting to wet weather. If it is Dry i am confident we will win, we might start a bit slowly, but we should win +bonus Point.

 

[nickdnz]

Rugby Joke

A man had two of the best tickets for the Currie Cup Final. As he sits down, another man comes along and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him. "No", he says, "the seat is empty." "This is incredible!" said the man, "who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Currie Cup Final, the biggest sporting event of the year, and not use it?" He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the first Currie Cup Final we haven't been to together since we got married." "Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. I guess you couldn't find someone else, a friend or relative or even a neighbour to take the seat?" The man shakes his head.... "No.They're all at the funeral."

The sharks have a very good chance of beating a fired up Hurricanes team with Lambie possibly starting and adding the necessary ump they need to make sure they win. First thing that should be on their mind is to win the game of course and then get the bonus.<O</O

I like the joke.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Everything is possible, especially if it's raining.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

You don't have to remind me of that, you freakin' Belgian Chiefs-fan

 

[smartcooky]

Jean Deysel is a machine top points to him.

Who the hell is he..... Vin Deysel's brother?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

 

[Darwin]

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Jayden Hayward, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jack Lam, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Michael Bent, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Andre Taylor.

Two changes to the starting XV, with Jane Replacing Taylor at fullback, and Tialata replacing Bent at tighthead prop. Can't understand why the Canes have dropped Taylor to the bench, as he has looked very dangerous either on the wing or at fullback this season. Personally I would have started Taylor on the wing ahead of Leiua (and would have considered moving Leiua to centre).

Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Eugene van Staden, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Gerhard Mostert, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 Odwa Ndungane

Bismark du Plessis has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, meaning Smit gets his first start of the year at hooker. du Plessis's loss is somewhat offset by the return of Pat Lambie at first-five. There are a few other changes in the team, which can probably be attributed to 'rotation': Mvovo replaces Ndungane on the wing, Botes replaces Daniel on the flank, and Skeate replaces Mostert at lock.