Super 15: Sharks - Waratahs in Durban (28-05-2011)

TRF_Ezequiel · May 26, 2011

Kings Park, Durban (28-05-2011 16:05 GMT)

With the match in Durban we know all eyes will be on them. 2 serious contenders for the play off spots, the Sharks and Waratahs will do everything they can to clinch it. The Sharks play their final home match before visiting Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Pretoria to face the Cheetahs, Lions and Bulls. Can they beat the Sydney side and maybe score 4 tries for a bonus point? Their defense has been struggling recently against the Bulls and Stormers but against Australian opposition, they did pretty well. The Force scored none, the Brumbies only 1 and the Rebels (of all teams) scored 4 against the Sharks. The Sharks did however win all 3 matches against Australian opposition.

The Waratahs have played the Lions and Cheetahs at home and after losing 3-23 to the Cheetahs earlier, they recovered with a 29-12 win over the Lions last week. After the match in Durban, they will fly to Pretoria to take on the Bulls, another play off contender, before meeting the Highlanders afterwards... Yes, that is true, yet another contender. The Tahs play their 3 biggest rivals for the 6th place in the competition. They need to win all 3 at least to stand a chance.

In the past, the Sharks have not won a lot against the Tahs. There was the 22-9 win in 2007 but that was the only time they managed to win since 2001. A whole decade and only 1 win! Can they double it this weekend?

Cassie

Academy Player

May 26, 2011

#2

Yes an interesting read I surely hope the Sharks can double it and move towards playoff spots. All in all from a South African point of view I hope they do clinch this match and up the ante in the process. They looked out of sorts last weekend against the Bulls lest see if I was right by suggesting that the bye had something to do with it. Good luck to the coaching staff, the Shark men and their support base.

TRF_Ezequiel

Kanko Krazy!!!

TRF Legend

May 26, 2011

#3

Teams

Sharks :1. John Smit (Captain) , 2. Bismarck du Plessis , 3. Eugene van Staden , 4. Steven Sykes , 5. Alistair Hargreaves , 6. Jacques Botes , 7. Jean Deysel , 8. Keegan Daniel , 9. Conrad Hoffmann , 10. Patrick Lambie , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 12. Meyer Bosman , 13. Stefan Terblanche , 14. JP Pietersen , 15. Louis Ludik

Replacements , 16. Tendai Mtawarira , 17. Wiehahn Herbst , 18. Gerhard Mostert , 19. Willem Alberts , 20. Charl McLeod , 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter , 22. Riaan Swanepoel

Waratahs:Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Ryan Cross, Tom Carter, Sosene Anesi, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Ben Mowen, Chris Alcock, Dave Dennis, Sitaleki Timani, Dean Mumm (c]), Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.

Reserves: John Ulugia, Al Baxter, Pat O'Connor, Hugh Perrett, Brendan McKibbin, Daniel Halangahu, Atieli Pakalani.

Knock-on kings Alberts and McLeod is out of the starting 15, finally!!!! I am getting the feeling Plum is reading our messages on TRF hahahaha

TRF_stormer2010

Moderator

TRF Legend

May 26, 2011

#4

Oooooe, Smit at prop, eishh, man. The Sharks struggled against the Waratahs scrum last year with Smit at tighthead, hopefully him at loosehead won't cause the same problems. I hope Alberts discovers some form again coming off the bench. best of luck. If you guys and the bulls can trump the 'Tahs at home it opens up the door for one to sneak in. I think the Highlanders have a decent run home and will make it to the play-offs. Only real tough game is going to be the Blues. Bulls have a tough run in so I was predicting that the Sharks will come in ahead of the Waratahs but you'll have to beat them first and then the Bulls at Loftus.

L

Larksea

First XV

TRF Legend

May 26, 2011

#5

bulls 8+

I have no idea what I'm doing.

Darwin

AKA Dingo_Darwin

May 26, 2011

#6

Huge game for both teams. The Sharks seem to have lost a lot of the moment they had earlier in the season. Despite this I'm picking them to win this match, though I expect it will be a close game.

Cassie

Academy Player

May 27, 2011

#7

I spoke to one of my Shark friend the other day and he was pointing out the exact facts that Sharks fans here have been talking about. I must say that there are different opinions about players that are underperforming at the moment and at this stage where it is not needed. I have to agree with leaving out these two players mentioned above that on the long run as the game progressed that this will have a positive outcome on their game.

The impact that Albert's will have after actually feeling the bench will be tremendous and it will help the Sharks in their fixture against the Waratahs. I felt he needed some rest but besides having a bye it needed to be something like this a bench to be an impact player at one stage. I am glad Keegan is back to the line up hope he is at his best as I do rate him.<O

</O

Seaton

First XV

May 28, 2011

#8

Argh, I'll end up going today, hopefully my smudgin of faith will be vindicated

Here's hoping that the changes will make the required difference

@JJR, do you know what is happening with Luzuko Vulindlu?

TRF_Ezequiel

Kanko Krazy!!!

TRF Legend

May 28, 2011

#9

Missed the first 30 minutes... What happened to Hoffmann???

D

Draggs

Hall of Fame

TRF Legend

May 28, 2011

#10

TRF_Ezequiel said:
Missed the first 30 minutes... What happened to Hoffmann???

Aggravated his elbow by the looks of it.
Kicked away the ball and as he did his arm swung quickly, bending his elbow.
Funny in a sad way. McLeod had a contained match, compared to usual.
26-21 to the Sharks full time. Back in top 6 I believe.

Sharks with 47, Waratahs 46, Highlanders 44.
Bulls still to play, who could overtake the Highlanders.

Seaton

First XV

May 28, 2011

#11

Can't believe Hoffman got injured, and unfortunately another poor match from Bosman
At least he can find his form in the CC

I expect Deysel to get cited for that yellow, looked alomst as disgusting as the one in the Lions game

D

Draggs

Hall of Fame

TRF Legend

May 28, 2011

#12

Shame, Deysel had a good game otherwise.
JP Pietersen was immense.
Big land with plenty of pace and surprisingly agile.

Pietersen on one wing and Aplon on the other would be lethal.