Super Rugby: Sharks vs. Crusaders in Durban (05/04/2013)

[Darwin]

Kings Park Stadium, Durban

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[TRF_Ezequiel]

Not sure what to think of this. We never play well against the 'Saders. We were lucky to miss out on them last season but this is the moment to get a win over them. I think, if we play the same structured defensive game, we can control their backline. Our problem is the attack and the line-out. The Crusaders were very strong in the line-out last weekend and the Stormers have better set-piece management than us.

I am afraid the Crusaders will take this one.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Not sure what to think of this. We never play well against the 'Saders. We were lucky to miss out on them last season but this is the moment to get a win over them. I think, if we play the same structured defensive game, we can control their backline. Our problem is the attack and the line-out. The Crusaders were very strong in the line-out last weekend and the Stormers have better set-piece management than us.

I am afraid the Crusaders will take this one.

Since the Bulls have a bye this coming weekend, I will be supporting the other SA teams. Go Sharkies!!

Eze, stop being so pessimistic! You guys have a very good chance to beat the Saders and you had a bye while they had a bruising encounter vs the Stormers.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Despite what others think, I feel a bye is a momentum-killer rather than a time to recover unless you have serious injuries. We beat the Rebels 64-7 and had to sit and watch others play the week after. I just hope we can finally shake that monkey of our backs. We desperately need a win over the Crusaders. Last time was 2007. A year in which we also got a beating from the Brumbies. Let's hope it's a sign!

 

[Amobokoboko]

It will be a really good game without any doubts. Crusaders are playing better every week so this game could go any directions. Altho I think the Crusaders will take this one.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Despite what others think, I feel a bye is a momentum-killer rather than a time to recover unless you have serious injuries. We beat the Rebels 64-7 and had to sit and watch others play the week after. I just hope we can finally shake that monkey of our backs. We desperately need a win over the Crusaders. Last time was 2007. A year in which we also got a beating from the Brumbies. Let's hope it's a sign!

You have a better scrummaging pack (any prop in the world is better than Brok Harris). you have 2 hookers that can throw in the lineout, and 2 proper locks that can actually jump at lineout time and not just stand and expect their height to get the ball everytime...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Despite what others think, I feel a bye is a momentum-killer rather than a time to recover unless you have serious injuries. We beat the Rebels 64-7 and had to sit and watch others play the week after. I just hope we can finally shake that monkey of our backs. We desperately need a win over the Crusaders. Last time was 2007. A year in which we also got a beating from the Brumbies. Let's hope it's a sign!

Statistically, byes are beneficial.

 

[nickdnz]

Despite what others think, I feel a bye is a momentum-killer rather than a time to recover unless you have serious injuries. We beat the Rebels 64-7 and had to sit and watch others play the week after. I just hope we can finally shake that monkey of our backs. We desperately need a win over the Crusaders. Last time was 2007. A year in which we also got a beating from the Brumbies. Let's hope it's a sign!

I tend to agree that a bye isn't necessarly best in the short term, especially if a team is coming off a big win, but in the long terms it's pretty crucial.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

You have a better scrummaging pack (any prop in the world is better than Brok Harris). you have 2 hookers that can throw in the lineout, and 2 proper locks that can actually jump at lineout time and not just stand and expect their height to get the ball everytime...

We only have 1 hooker who can throw the ball because with Burden, the line-outs are really a... ehm... burden.

 

[Darwin]

This will certainly be an interesting game - the Crusaders are really up against it with the number of injuries they have. Johnny McNicholl has been ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking his ankle, Owen Franks looks like he will miss the Sharks match with a rib injury, while Dagg's hamstring means he is probably only 50:50.

It will be interesting to see who the Crusaders use at TH prop. Wyatt Crockett shifted to the TH side after the injury to Franks and did a surprisingly good job (despite having played very little rugby at any level on the TH side, apart from a few pre-season matches). The Crusaders will either have to bring in Nepo Laulala to start at TH, or start Crockett at TH with Moody on the LH side. The rest of the pack basically picks itself, though I would still prefer to see Taufua given a start at 8 ahead of Luke Whitelock.

Halfback is another position of interest, with Willi Heinz performing really well these last two weeks which will make it hard for Blackadder to include Ellis in the starting lineup. If Dagg is fit he should start at fullback (with Marshall and Guildford on the wings), otherwise Marshall will stay at fullback, with Adam Whitelock starting on the right wing (with Veainu joining the bench).

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Bad news. Lwazi Mvovo has a fracture in his hand and will be out for 6 weeks.

1. Tendai Mtawarira , 2. Kyle Cooper , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 4. Pieter-Steph du Toit , 5. Franco van der Merwe , 6. Jacques Botes , 7. Marcell Coetzee , 8. Keegan Daniel (Captain) , 9. Cobus Reinach , 10. Patrick Lambie , 11. JP Pietersen , 12. Meyer Bosman , 13. Paul Jordaan , 14. Odwa Ndungane , 15. Francois Steyn

Replacements :16. Craig Burden , 17. Wiehahn Herbst , 18. Anton Bresler , 19. Ryan Kankowski , 20. Charl McLeod , 21. Riaan Viljoen , 22. Louis Ludik / S'Bura Sithole


I am really ****** off to see Steyn as the starting full-back. Ridiculous!!!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Steyn at 15 again. Ai, tog. Thought we saw the end of that and considering you guys have Ludik and Viljoen in there.. Well, it's typical Plumtree isn't it.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Yep. Just ignore Ludik (who has been the most consistent full-back in South Africa the last 2 years) and Viljoen (Who has everything Steyn has plus the pace to defend). BS decisions by Plum again.

 

[Draggs]

God damnit Plum. Now we are going to throw out two class fullbacks.
I am beginning to regret the Steyn purchase.

Please, at least put Louis on the wing over Odwa. Can we send John to France with Marais?

Looking at that Crusaders team, this is our best chance in a long time to beat them. Looking at ours, I am not sure.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

CRUSADERS: Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, George Whitelock (c), Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Willi Heinz, Telusa Veainu, Israel Dagg.

Owen Franks is good to play, as is Dagg (who will start on the bench). Corey Flynn, however, is injured.

 

[Darwin]

The Crusaders will be happy that Owen Franks is fit, though Flynn is a loss, as he has been pretty good for them over recent weeks. Slightly surprised to see Dagg is on the bench - I have always thought if you are fit enough to be on the bench you should be fit enough to start....

 

[daveypnz]

Telusa Veainu is an outstanding player much like Kade Poki, Buxton Popo'ali

 

[nickdnz]

Telusa Veainu is an outstanding player much like Kade Poki, Buxton Popo'ali

I rate him too. Seeing Adam Whitelock again at 14, makes me want the Crusaders to lose - ideally with many tries to JP Pietersen.

 

[Darwin]

Veainu really impressed me at U20 level, but he hasn't yet lived up to his potential. He is elusive with ball in hand and appears to have good acceleration, but seems to lack top end speed (and certainly lacks a bit of size). His defense is usually ok, but he does have a habit of coming out of the defensive line looking for the intercept. That said I would certainly start him ahead of A Whitelock. I don't think we will see JP Pietersen scoring a lot of tries though, as despite being slow as a snail Adam Whitelock is a very good defensive player...

 

[Icemn]

Meyer Bosman :? lol what game was that when he had a clear run in for a try while no defenders near him and he tripped his own and knocked the ball on

think him and FS will swop around a lot...