Sharks get tickets for Cane train
1 Apr 2009
The Sharks have observed an evolution in the Hurricanes’ approach and are braced for a forward onslaught on Saturday.
The Canes have always had superb backline options at their disposal and have become renowned for their expansive approach.
However, having studied them closely recently, Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford believes the Wellington franchise have become significantly more structured, and in this regard predicted that their clash at King’s Park would be an immense battle between the heavies.
‘We’ve noticed that they’ve been quite direct recently and I don’t think they’ll stray too far from that approach,’ Bashford told keo.co.za.
‘The set pieces and breakdown will be the crucial facets of play. If we can pressure them at scrum and lineout time they won’t get going, and when you’re getting done at the breakdown any team becomes fairly ordinary.’
A fortnight ago the Bulls employed that same formula (in addition to pounding defence) to down the Canes in Wellington. Bashford said they’d analysed that match and taken lessons from their South African counterparts.
‘The Bulls were very good on the day but the Canes made the mistake of trying to play them at their own game,’ he said.
‘They would have learnt from that, so it’s not as easy as saying we’re going to try and replicate the Bulls’ approach and expect the same result. But there certainly are elements of their game that were very effective and it would be silly of us to ignore those.’
Bashford did, however, stress that to expect the Canes to be one-dimensional would be a grave error. He noted that their backline was laden with talented players who are capable of turning a match and cited their victory over the Lions last week as a testament to their all-round threat.
‘They have got a few All Blacks in that backline so to say that their forwards will be their only point of attack would be naive,’ he said. ‘They’re dangerous, particularly if you feed them with broken field ball through poor tactical kicking. They have the players in their backline who can score from anywhere. When you think about teams capable of scoring 10 points in the last five minutes of a match the Canes are right at the forefront of your mind.’
The match 22 is likely to remain unchanged other than wing JP Pietersen dropping out as a result of an ankle injury. Luzuko Vulindlu will replace him in the starting line-up with Chris Jordaan providing cover on the bench.
‘There will also be rotation in the front row,’ Bashford said. This could mean a starting spot for Springbok captain John Smit at either tighthead prop or hooker, with one of brothers Jannie or Bismarck du Plessis playing off the wood. There could also be a run-on opportunity for Deon Carstens at loosehead prop at the expense of Beast Mtawarira.
The Sharks will announce their side on Thursday.
By Ryan Vrede
114 Comments
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1 Apr 2009, 19:57 pm
#96 SA Barbarians: dont get your (black)panties in a knot man. alls good that ends good.
#98 BlackPanther: hey, give me your address and i will send you last months feature on drunken all blacks.
eye opener.
now get back to whinging about refs, helped you get over the wc, why shouldnt it work now.
pathetic.
1 Apr 2009, 20:01 pm
#100 gunther: well i can understand how u can ask that question, there’s no media machine behind him, but so urself a favour & watch the boy…last year he played for the cheetahs in the currie cup, how did u miss him?
1 Apr 2009, 20:35 pm
#102 Transformation:
I didn’t miss him he wll be very good ..
2 Apr 2009, 01:14 am
#101 modderrotter:
When we want to learn about whinging about refs, we need only refer to the Masters, Grasshopper.
Paddy
Honiss
Dickinson
McHugh.
Who you gonna maim next, Piet ?
Atleast youre No1 at something. Last time I checked, you dont get a trophy after Week 8. Plenty of room in the cabinet in Durbs tho huh.
2 Apr 2009, 05:53 am
#101 modderrotter: the only reason the Sharks top the log is because they have a kiwi coach, we all know SA doesnt have any decent ones… hell, you had to get an Aussie to help you in 07…
makes your whole chest beating about the sharks seem rather premature !
and lets look at teams as a whole, gees, last 6 teams in the comp are SA and Aust, says it all really.
2 Apr 2009, 05:57 am
#105 poppa69:
So what are the Highlanders, Saders, Canes and Blues excuses for not even being in the top 4 let alone topping the table tool-box?
2 Apr 2009, 06:43 am
beep test??
que?
2 Apr 2009, 08:08 am
#105 poppa69: ur showing your true colours in very bad sportsmanship
fact is yes plumtree an ex kiwi , you forget he played 95% of his rugby in SA
he learnt most of his rugby from Mackintosh
you forget he traded his kiwi possible jersy for the green and gold as he was a 7′s bok
you forget he married a south african girl and cosiders himself south african , thats why staying in SA is his preferred choice
Sharks is the best team in the comp this year and even the rugby brains of kiwi and oz says that, why not have the balls to do the same my friend??
go look at the rugby heaven site and see what you own countrymen say
2 Apr 2009, 09:29 am
The worst heading ever (‘Sharks get tickets for Cane train’)??? I think so!!!
2 Apr 2009, 10:08 am
#108 sharks_lover:
I agree, Sharks are the best team in this years comp.
At Week 8.
#108 sharks_lover:
95% ?
thats a little indulgent.
He played a few seasons for Wellington as blindside flanker.
Must have played 47 seasons for Natal then.
#107 mayibuye:
‘beep test’ is the famous/infamous fitness test. Im not sure whether its only used in NZ but its fairly well known as being rather evil amongst the players. Effectively running between markers over a long period, heart-rates taken. Builds up from a slow base in to a frenzy. Shows up base fitness. Guys like Jonah used to hate it, he was always a slow starter fitness wise in the season. Word is he almost missed the ’95 RWC based solely on his poor beep test. Its incredibly hard, most guys will need a vom at its conclusion.
2 Apr 2009, 12:11 pm
#99 Transformation: I have seen this Ebherson kid. He has a brother I believe, and they are the top kids in SA rugby, but Steyn is a MAN now (no kid). I used to criticise Steyn about him being adventurous at the wrong times, however he is becoming a man now.. He is heavily depended upon for the Sharks. If he is not playing the sharks are vulnerable. He is making less mistakes and is sound in defence. I was not on the bandwagon when people were blowing him up. I am now.
2 Apr 2009, 12:18 pm
#102 Transformation: There is meant to be this venter kid who was offered a contract with an ozz club. That kid is meant to be better than Ebherson.
2 Apr 2009, 12:19 pm
mmmmmmmm, looks like alot of kiwis trying to stroke their small willies tonight……..one word springs to mind….doos!!
2 Apr 2009, 13:17 pm
#113 whatever: yeah whatever… and when the crusaders win tomorrow, theres going to be a lot of sad bulls supporters here too
#106 bryce_in_oz: when the Waratahs lose this weekend and fail miserably to make the finals, who you going to support then ?
#108 sharks_lover: perhaps they are, perhaps they aren’t… comps only half way, long long way to go yet.
but as Ive said before, NZ teams get stronger as the comp progresses…
so chill ladies
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