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

[Draggs]

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...

Red QF, wasn't it?

 

[Gena_ZA]

Heard from a work mate that it is raining down in Durbs, if wet the Sharks can take this by a narrow margin

 

[Draggs]

Going to miss this, have a flight same time as the match, FFS.
I'll need a Stormer or Bull to take my place an support the boys for me. Gena??

 

[Amobokoboko]

Sharks can't handle water. Sorry mate.

 

[Gena_ZA]

going to miss this, have a flight same time as the match, ffs.
I'll need a stormer or bull to take my place an support the boys for me. Gena??

hell yeah!!!

 

[Darwin]

Not quite sure who I think will win this game. The Crusaders certainly look injury depleted, but managed to win last weekend against the odds. I would be surprised if Owen Franks is 100% fit (originally they said he would miss this week), so it may be a bit of a risk playing him. The Crusaders really need to dominate up front (as they did versus the Stormers), though Flynn is a loss in this regard, as I'm still not convinced about Funnell's size/power. I feel the loose-forward battle will be key this match. I quite like the look of the Sharks trio, but George Whitelock and Todd have been in good form, while Luke Whitelock is slowely starting to deliver on his potential (and Taufua is a weapon on the bench!).

The Crusaders backline certainly lacks a bit of spark - they will need Bleyendaal to control the game like he did last weekend. Tom Marshall is really the only threat in that backline at the moment, though Fruean is due to fire, while Guildford can be dangerous when he is in from (which he certainly isn't at the moment!). I'm looking foward to seeing Jordaan at 13 again for the Sharks, and I'm interested to see Steyn back at fullback - if nothing else he will give them a powerful kicking option from the back...

 

[SomeOke]

One of the things that Bleyendaal is good at is his tactical kicking out of hand. The line-outs could play a big part as people have already mentioned, the same tactics that did it against the Stormers will do for the Sharks as well if there line-out isn't functioning.

I don't think having Steyn at fullback is quite as much of a disaster as everyone is saying. At least now he won't be clogging up the Sharks midfield and slowing all their momentum, obviously Ludik is far superior, but it's not the end of the world.

Hope the Sharkies take it but it's going to be tight!

 

[Gena_ZA]

Okay the rumors about a wet game was.. just rumors
Hope to see a cracker of a game

Super start by the Sharks and YES Draggs, they heard you
Penalty and Sharsk 3 up

 

[Rhyer]

Sam Whitelock and Crotty.... Bloody hell... What players!

These penalty calls are bull crap.

 

[Gena_ZA]

20 mins in - Crusaders lead 8-6, try from set piece, that was too easy

Botes off - wrist
Ndugane off - hamsting

*EDIT* Ndugane stays on but struggling

**EDIT** Sithole in for the struggling winger

 

[Gena_ZA]

Freuen having a SBW game, running over players and making good offloads.
He even made Lambie do a Morne Steyn when Lambie saw him coming for the tackle

 

[Gena_ZA]

Sharks end the half like they started it with a penalty
Blyendaal missed two attempts
Crusaders 11(try Ellis) and Sharks 9

 

[Rhyer]

These calls are terrible though. Late tackle? He had just let go of the ball, what could Fruean do? Stop mid air? ****ing ridiculous. TMO calls are ****ing me off now, most tackles look bad in slow mo.

 

[Gena_ZA]

draggs, F Steyn is not disappointing you and Eze...

 

[Gena_ZA]

Crusaders penalty, add 3
Sharks looking good if they keep the ball in hand

 

[SelimNiai]

After 15-20 minutes of not a lot it's suddenley burst into life. Great attack and great defence

 

[Gena_ZA]

Sharks flaming on attack, huge amount of ball but Crusaders relentless on defense
Almost a try by Franco, he should have dived for the line - again fab defence

Sharks now playing with the ball in hand, get a penalty, add 3

points diifs still 2

 

[Gena_ZA]

JP looking for work???? (must have had it all this morning)

Another Sharks penalty (bit dubious one)
Lambie adds 3, Sharkies lead by 1

 

[Gena_ZA]

Cooper misses him men, first bad throw (he is having another good game part from this)
and this leads to Crusaders front foot ball, force a penalty and leads by 2 again

 

[Amobokoboko]

Only tuned in now, thought the game was scheduled for tomorrow.