Super Rugby: Highlanders vs. Sharks in Dunedin (04/05/2013)

[Darwin]

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

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[Darwin]

Right then. Back to this again. I can't wait :unsure:

This is (like most games this season) a winnable game for us, with the Sharks looking rather depleted (though they fought well against the Chiefs). The good news for the Highlanders is that Tamiti Ellison could be back playing this weekend, about 1 month ahead of schedule. The problem we have is on the wing though, with Poki and Popoali'i still likely out, and Ensor looking out of his depth in the last match (as many suspected he would). The best option may well be to play Ellison at centre (assuming he is fully fit) and play Emery on the wing - it is not Emery's best position, but I think he would do a solid job there (another option would be Ben Smith to the wing and Slade at fullback, but I don't favour that). I would start Hayden Parker again at 10, as he been good there thus far.

I suspect Woodcock and Hore will start again in the front row, but personally I would play them both off the bench to give them the kick up the arse they clearly need. I'm hoping that Hoeata isn't in the 6 jersey again, but Joseph seems obsessed with playing him there....

 

[Gena_ZA]

The Sharks
15. Riaan Viljoen , 14. JP Pietersen , 13. Francois Steyn , 12. Meyer Bosman , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 10. Patrick Lambie , 9. Charl McLeod , 8. Lubabalo Mtembu , 7. Marcell Coetzee , 6. Keegan Daniel (C) , 5. Franco van der Merwe , 4. Pieter-Steph du Toit , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 2. Kyle Cooper , 1. Wiehahn Herbst
Replacements : 16. Craig Burden , 17. JC Janse van Rensburg , 18. Anton Bresler , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Tian Meyer , 21. Piet Lindeque , 22. Odwa Ndungane / Derick Minnie

Derick Minnie was brilliant last week, why change him?
Steyn at 13, maybe better for him that 12

 

[Darwin]

The Sharks
15. Riaan Viljoen , 14. JP Pietersen , 13. Francois Steyn , 12. Meyer Bosman , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 10. Patrick Lambie , 9. Charl McLeod , 8. Lubabalo Mtembu , 7. Marcell Coetzee , 6. Keegan Daniel (C) , 5. Franco van der Merwe , 4. Pieter-Steph du Toit , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 2. Kyle Cooper , 1. Wiehahn Herbst
Replacements : 16. Craig Burden , 17. JC Janse van Rensburg , 18. Anton Bresler , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Tian Meyer , 21. Piet Lindeque , 22. Odwa Ndungane / Derick Minnie

Derick Minnie was brilliant last week, why change him?
Steyn at 13, maybe better for him that 12

Still a pretty good side considering the injuries! To me it looks a stronger side than the one that faced the Chiefs, with the likes of Cooper, Coetzee, Pieterson and Mvovo back.

I assume the Highlanders side will be announced sometime tomorrow...

 

[Gena_ZA]

Draggs and Eze , Sharks by 15+ my good men!

 

[Draggs]

Draggs and Eze , Sharks by 15+ my good men!

I wish I felt as confident as you, thanks mate.
Looking forward to seeing Tian Meyer, he was pretty good with the Lions last year and I am glad we brought him back into the Sharks fold.

 

[SomeOke]

Glad to see Mtembu getting another start, I was pretty hungover last game but from what I remember he has the makings of a special player.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Highlanders v Sharks, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin – Saturday 4 May, 7.35pm (NZT)
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore (captain)
3. Chris King
4. Brad Thorn
5. Josh Bekhuis
6. Jarrad Hoeata
7. John Hardie
8. TJ Ioane
9. Aaron Smith
10. Colin Slade
11. Hosea Gear (vice-captain)
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Phil Burleigh
15. Ben Smith
Reserves
16. Liam Coltman
17. Ma'afu Fia
18. Elliot Dixon
19. Joe Wheeler
20. Fumiaka Tanaka
21. Hayden Parker
22. Jason Emery



Burliegh on the wing....on the wing? Joseph's lost it, if slade is fit then he goes to fullback, smith to the wing and parker keeps 10....hell, dixon did alright on the wing the other week

i might just give up and wait for the NPC, the real legend that is tony brown will bring back my faith in southern rugby

 

[Darwin]

The good:
- Ellison is back at centre

The bad:
- Woodcock and Hore are still starting
- Hoeata is still at 6.
- Ioane is out of position at 8
- Slade has replaced Parker at 10
- Nonu is out injured

The ugly:
- Phil Burleigh on the wing.

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Overall I'm not that confident going into the match (though perhaps at 0-8 that is not surprising!). I know we are struggling with injuries (much like the Sharks), but some of these selections are truly bizarre. Has Burleigh ever played on the wing at any level? He is serviceable 12 at this level with his good distribution and intelligent kicking game, but struggled when he was played at 13. He is far too slow to be on the wing, and his defense is poor too - it reminds me a bit of Lachie Munro on the wing for the Blues (but at least Munro could kick goals!). I hope he does well, but I fear he will be no match for Mvovo. Emery would have been a far better option - he isn't a wing either, but at least has a bit of pace. Slade could have been used there too (or at fullback with Smith on the wing), or Tamati Ellison (with Emery at 13). I see they have finally called up Nemani (who I would have had in the initial squad!), so we may see him next week if Poki and Popoali'i aren't fit.

While it is great to see Ellison back I fear he (and those outside him) will not see much ball with Treeby at 12 and Ioane on the field. This may not actually be a bad thing, as our 'pass the ball from side to side' tactic isn't that great. Using Treeby and Ioane to crash the ball up in midfield certainly isn't the most creative tactic, but at least we will be running forwards for a change!

On paper this should actually be a pretty close match. Hopefully marking up against du Plessis will bring the best out of Woodcock. If I recall correctly Lambie and Bosman are both pretty reliable defenders, so I'm not sure we are going to get through that channel (though I have no doubt we will try and try again!). The problem the Highlanders have is that Slade is not a reliable goal-kicker so we really need to score tries - I'm just not sure where we are going to do that with our current lineup. I would love to see us attack around the fringes a bit more, but Hore is really the only Highlanders who excels in this close quarter 'pick and go' play - Hardie, Ioane, and even Brad Thorn excel running a bit further out.

Highlanders by 5-10. Yes the Highlanders have officially driven me mad!

 

[admartian]

Oigh.... I do like Burleigh though - just not there....

 

[Draggs]

Glad to see Mtembu getting another start, I was pretty hungover last game but from what I remember he has the makings of a special player.

Yeah, he is developing as hoped.
We tried him out last year and it didn't go great. See our looseforward trio for Sharks XV? Alberts, Stander, and Kankowski!
I hope we draft in Kleinhans or Stander, I want to see our young players given a chance.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I really like how energetic and eager Ellison always looks... You can tell he gives it his all.

 

[austingtir]

Man that 3 for the highlanders is doing his damndest to loose the game for them im amazed he hasnt been yellowed yet!

 

[lynam1104]

Highlanders defense and ball control have been sloppy, that 2nd sharks try was well executed.

Slade really needs to work on his kicking.

 

[austingtir]

They need to adjust the rules for pilfering a ball the players pilfering should not be allowed to put their hands on the ground at any stage when leaning over, teams have become to adept at just leaning over as soon as a tackle is made and just hanging there with their hands on the ground waiting for the tackled player to release the ball. It makes it very difficult for the attacking team to get anything going properly.

 

[austingtir]

Seriously the sharks are shockers at it walsh is an idiot they are just straight in there over the ball slowing it down constantly.

 

[austingtir]

Unbelievable try try of the year imo!!!

 

[lynam1104]

Beautiful try there, highlanders looking likely no.w

 

[austingtir]

Holy cow that was good. Lol.

 

[austingtir]

Highlanders always let the other team in again after scoring themselves. How there isnt a penalty or infringement by either side in 30 phases of mess is beyond me. Steve Walsh is a total joke.