Big men set up Sharks win
24 Jul 2006
AJ Venter has praised his front row for the Sharks’ heroic Absa Currie Cup win against the Vodacom Blue Bulls on Friday night.
Despite a stellar effort from the loose trio Venter said it was Danie Saayman, Bismarck du Plessis and Kees Lensing who were the stand out players of the evening.
“It’s easy for your loose trio when your front row is as good as ours were,” Venter told keo.co.za. “We’ve just had a look at the stats of Friday’s game and that told the story. Our front row were the leaders in ruck cleaning, each cleaning 28 rucks. That’s a phenomenal work rate and made our [the loose forwards] job much easier. People don’t always see that.”
It was not only at the breakdown that the front row dominated. All three swept the length and breadth of the field throughout the game, making excellent covering tackles, and were ruthlessly effective when carrying the ball up in attack.
But it was the Bulls who dominated the opening gambit, and looked in control of the game early on.
“You know when you play at Loftus it’s going to be hard. But we didn’t expect to be down 16-3 after 20 minutes. I just asked the guys: ‘Do we want this game to go the same way as the Super 12 game?’” Venter said. “From then on the guys really got stuck in and the game changed.”
Dick Muir’s side looked well drilled and structured throughout the 80 minutes, preferring to keep the ball close to the fringes of the rucks and mauls or opting to have runners coming short off flyhalf Brad Barritt.
The tactic proved to be a success, but according to Venter, even at kickoff, no definite gameplan had been decided on.
“Dick wants us to adapt to the game of the day, and I think we’ve done that successfully so far. Against the Bulls we had two options. When the game started we felt that we could have a go at them up front. But when it opened up in the last 15 minutes, we decided to swing it wide.”
It worked and the Pretoria-based side had no answer to the gutsy Sharks. Venter also heaped praise on the half back combination of Barritt and Ruan Pienaar. “Brad filled the big boots of Butch [James] and was exceptional, considering he only came into the side on Tuesday. People had a lot to say about Ruan’s kicking at goal but you have to look at his overall game, which was really good. It’s in big games like this that you really see talent, and they showed heaps of it.”
The skipper said that the win over their northern rivals was celebrated in the manner it deserved but chose to shift the attention to the visit of the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs.
“That game is done and we’re looking forward to Saturday’s game against the Cheetahs. It’s going to be a big one.”
By Ryan Vrede
68 Comments
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24 Jul 2006, 12:15 pm
Skim. If you have to ask ……………..
24 Jul 2006, 12:18 pm
As a WP fan I would like to say well done to the Sharks who out played and more importantly out thought the Bulls.
It shows (once again) that a good game plan and the ability to adapt and use your head on the field is far better than just brute strength, brawns and a guy with a big boot.
Now if only the Boks would start playing with a bit of innovation, flair and brains like WP, The Cheetahs and The Sharks are.
It seems the Boks are only halfway there. There was lots of passion and heart (unlike last weekend) but with about as much of a clue as a lost herd of sheep.
I hope this only gets better.
24 Jul 2006, 12:22 pm
Giscard????
He might be strong on his feet…but no speed at all!!!!!! Did you see how the chiefs ran away from him twice in one move!!!!
I think the sharks have players willing to play for the coach and team…that is the difference!!!!
24 Jul 2006, 12:32 pm
Cape Shark
I could only listen but it sounded like the Sharks lose trio was brilliant.
Skim
The Great Hard Man Quinton Davids.
I call him Dik Davids for short.
24 Jul 2006, 12:34 pm
Lol – Been a rough couple of week with the nics ey jond……
24 Jul 2006, 12:37 pm
Ig
I must take as well as give it.
Could be a long Currie Cup for me.
24 Jul 2006, 12:59 pm
The Sharks will make us proud come next years S14
24 Jul 2006, 13:41 pm
well dome to the sharks on the weekend’s performance. you have to admit though that it was vintage Bulls style of play. Kept it in the forwards, grinding it up the middle, maul after maul. If the sharks do it its effective. when the Bulls do it its boring and “one-dimensional”
i say, once again, that it may not be pretty, but if done properly there is almost no defence against it. no sharks fans are complaining that their wings didnt each score two tries off full backline moves, and why should they? they played bloody hard and did not let the bulls into the game, achieving a deserved win.
at the same time, i am still interested to see what develops with Pote, as the seem to be playing the backs a lot more.
24 Jul 2006, 14:36 pm
Cab – on Lensing .
How was it that Proctor , who went to Hilton and Rob Bentley who also went to Hilton , both played for Natal , Rhodesia and SA . Do we have lazy politicians or lazy administrators – both if you ask me .
Chavanga is a Rhodesian and as I understand it , is eligible for Springbok selection . Surely he is not remotely worthy , or is it because of political factors .
I firmly believe Lensing can be a Bok or did he represent SWA/Namibia at rugby . Even so , the Proctor / Bentley issue is pertinent . Errol Stewart is Rhodesian – played for SA , Martin Benkinsteins lighty’s are Rhodesian – one has already played for SA .
Keo , unless Lensing played for SWA/Namibia what would the requirements be.
24 Jul 2006, 14:43 pm
Shaka,
I believe Lensing played for Namibia at the last world cup and so shut the door on a Springbok jersey.
If you have represented your country of birth at international level, then you are ineligible to play for another country. I think this only applies to anything above u/21 level though or else Rathbone would be in the Bok team at the moment.
24 Jul 2006, 14:50 pm
That makes sense – thanks Vetkoek .
24 Jul 2006, 15:00 pm
Vetkoek
Rathbone would not be in the Bok team now as he would be constantly injured like all our “good” players.
Austalia have looked after him when the Sharks Rugby Untion refused. So I am lead to believe.
24 Jul 2006, 15:10 pm
hiyas shaka wena mpondo lol kanjane ???
seriously you cant think chavange is better then odwa ???
odwa is having a brilliant season and to my mind the best wing in south africa right now
24 Jul 2006, 15:11 pm
jondood yes the sharks loosies were brilliant and they gave the bulls loosies a hiding
guys saying barritt didnt play well ?? damn what game did you watch ??? and also once again ur talking about a center helping out at flyhalf
that kid oozes talent
24 Jul 2006, 15:45 pm
Oh Great Chief by The Cold Ocean in which a Cape Shark swims:
The record holder for South Africa for scoring the most tries in a match is……Tonderai Chavanga. Heh, Heh Heh…eat your heart out Ray Mordt, Danie Gerber et al
24 Jul 2006, 16:17 pm
Jondood,
Ja, I think you’re right there. He would no doubt have struggled under the SA coaching structures etc- same as all the other talent from that u/21 side.
24 Jul 2006, 17:03 pm
shaka, yeah he’s played for Nambibia so unfortunately no go. its pretty unfair, since he’s spent so much time in SA and would definitely strengthen the squad.
Imagine Lensing and Visagie/BJ running on to replace Os and CJ? yessus!
25 Jul 2006, 02:26 am
well cab i got a sight for sore eyes for you
sharks front row soon
lensing , smit , bj + )saaiman and carstens and bismark)
behind them muller and ackermann ( sykes , albert , moore )
behind them brits , botes , aj , daniel , kankowski
lol lick ur lips off
best pack in the country by far
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