Sharks enter decisive period
1 Mar 2011
JON CARDINELLI writes that if the Sharks hope to maintain their status as conference leaders they will need to capitalise on a favourable tour draw.
Anything less that three wins will be a failure for John Plumtree’s men, who have to date eased to two comfortable victories. While the performances have been far from polished, their intensity and tactical appreciation have been unmatched. If they can add a dimension of accuracy to their game, they will trouble their tour opponents.
The Sharks play the Force this week, a team that so nearly upset the Reds in the opening round. The Force were typically stingy on defence and controlled possession for long periods. If not for their 25 handling errors, they may have inflicted as much damage to the scoreboard as they did to the Reds’ pack.
The bye arrived at a bad time for the Force, and they now have to start from scratch. They’ll host a Sharks team that’s built some momentum through two wins, a team that has a reputation for meeting aggressive forward challenges head on.
The Sharks travel to Melbourne thereafter to tackle the Rebels, a team that’s enjoyed mixed success. The win against the Brumbies was a magic moment for the Melbourne side, but the Sharks have nothing to fear as long as they stick to their game plan. They have the right mix of muscle and guile to outplay a Rebels side that is limited in key areas.
Next on the Sharks’ schedule is the Chiefs. While the men from Hamilton have always been known for their ability to counterattack, they used to hold a reputation as one of the tougher units at the breakdown. We’ve seen little evidence of this in the Chiefs’ first two games, however, and these failings have contributed to two defeats. The Sharks are a team that bullies opposing packs before unleashing the backline, and I suspect they will be especially tight against the Chiefs.
The final tour match is by far the toughest. If Plumtree harbours hopes of beating the Crusaders he will need to manage his squad cleverly in the preceding weeks. What is in the Sharks’ favour is that the Crusaders are likely to host this game at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, and so home ground advantage may not be as much a factor.
Winning at least three of these four clashes will keep them in the top two of the South African conference, while winning all four will keep them in pole position. They’re well placed now, and while there’s pressure to perform on this tour, it’s a pressure they need to embrace.
They showed good composure against the Blues last week, and will have further opportunities to put substandard sides away on the coming tour. If they can return from their Australasian sojourn with a three from four return, and ultimately a five from six record, they will be superbly-placed as they begin their home leg of the competition.
That first home game in round seven is against the Stormers, a team that hasn’t won in Durban since 2004. Thereafter, they will enjoy a bye.
The promising halfback pairing of Charl McLeod and Pat Lambie has dominated Super Rugby like they dominated the 2010 Currie Cup. Lambie has impressed with his distribution while his kicking game has also been crucial to the Sharks’ cause. McLeod may not offer as much in the tactical kicking department, but the Sharks have a good alternative to Lambie in fullback Louis Ludik, a player who was hugely influential against the Blues.
What’s been less impressive is the lack of synergy between Meyer Bosman and Lambie, as well as the centre combination of Bosman and Stefan Terblanche. That midfield is under pressure to produce in the coming weeks.
The Sharks’ inconsistent lineout and defence will also require sharpening. Terblanche hailed the latter aspect as a reason for victory last week, but the reality is the Sharks missed 20% of their tackles.
It may seem harsh to criticise a team that is yet to concede a try, but their defensive stats tell a story. The Sharks leaked eight linebreaks against the Blues, and had the Aucklanders not committed 29 handling errors, the contest may have been closer.
A sharper showing is required on tour, a four-game period that could be so crucial to the Sharks’ play-off prospects.
148 Comments
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1 Mar 2011, 05:55 am
I think they need to do something about their centre combination.
1 Mar 2011, 06:04 am
Ja, Stef is still needed at 13 but Meyer should be back at the Cheetahs….
Anyone know if the refs have been announced for this week?
1 Mar 2011, 06:14 am
@KevinRack(KevinRack)-1:
Tereblance is now really over the hill and should be benched for Adi immediately.
Now these guppies still look clueless when it comes to creating and scoring tries, two push over tries against the Cheetahs showed just how boring they are in attack and those two lucky tries against the Blues again exposed the guppies for what they really are … boring pretenders … again … just as they have been for 15 years now and I do not see them stepping up soon and losing that well deserved tag of chokers.
1 Mar 2011, 06:26 am
We still hav to see the Sharks winning under a referee who is not a S African,,,,,
Their two wings hardly looked a scoring threat so far.
1 Mar 2011, 06:41 am
Sharks 2/2 so far playing “boring” rugby. Things could get interesting once the team gels into place : )
1 Mar 2011, 06:44 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-3:
Idiot, the Sharks have gone on a winning streak since dropping Jacobs, throwing Murray away and moving Stef to 13.
1 Mar 2011, 06:47 am
I think Jacobs could be very useful as an impact sub, once the sharks forwards have roughed up its opposition. Tired bodies will mean a lot of space that Adi’s pace will exploit.
1 Mar 2011, 06:49 am
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-6: how the hell can Adi go to the RWC if he is not playing? what happens if Mossie gets injured, does a rusty take his place? no those ogres at the Sharks must play Adi, end of story.
1 Mar 2011, 06:53 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-3:
2 from 2 so far this season, how is your team doing?
1 Mar 2011, 07:13 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-9: come now Cheetah farm boi … this is a Sharks thread and we are talking about fish.
1 Mar 2011, 07:17 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-10:
Sure keep it up, I just struggle to understand how a supporter of a team with a record of 15 losses in a row…and counting, can actually comment on the poor way another is WINNING! Silly if you ask me.
1 Mar 2011, 07:26 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-11: top must be hard for the mentally slow to keep up but you can do it
1 Mar 2011, 07:36 am
Red Lion do you honestly think the WAY we win bothers us? And to less of an extent if we entertain the likes of you? Point is we are winning, something the lions havent done in 15 games. If i were you I would worry about you ***** cats first.
1 Mar 2011, 07:38 am
I would also go with Adi at 13…
1 Mar 2011, 07:39 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-12:
Oh I get it, you want me to step down to your level! Maybe another day…
1 Mar 2011, 07:42 am
@Kapper(Kapper)-13: bravo spoken like a true Joburg Shark who proudly walks around in his brand new Mr Price shirt at Sandton City … there are lots of boi’s like you.
1 Mar 2011, 07:43 am
sharks
1 Mar 2011, 07:44 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-15: now boi step up to the plate, keep to the subject thread and talk about fish … now smell you later.
1 Mar 2011, 07:44 am
sharks?
1 Mar 2011, 07:44 am
ja, sharks!
1 Mar 2011, 07:45 am
SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARKSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
1 Mar 2011, 07:46 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-18: run along me old fruit.
1 Mar 2011, 07:46 am
Unfortuantely you got that all wrong. You ever realise you have every type of comeback except a rugby wise comeback? Must say something about your knowledge. Which makes it that much easier for us.
1 Mar 2011, 07:48 am
That forward pack of the Sharks is scary.
1 Mar 2011, 07:52 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-22: I was asking a question yesterday and never got a good answer, maybe you can enlighten me.
why is it that McLeod can take 3 it 4 steps before passing the ball but when Ricky does the same it is a rugby crime?
1 Mar 2011, 07:56 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-25: because when mcleod does it, he knows that he has space due to the efforts of our forwards.
whilst when ricky does it, he usually puts his 10 under enormous pressure as a knock on effect of having a powderpuff frontrow.
some might say it is the wp packs fault and they would be right to a certain extent but ricky needs to adapt.
there is also the fact that mcleod recently won the cc and the last two games comfortably
then again, vermaak looks like a crab that has come out of my pot. nice and pink but still moving sideways.
1 Mar 2011, 07:56 am
@Kapper(Kapper)-23: come on tell me you stay in Dirtbin, don’t be shy now.
1 Mar 2011, 07:59 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-26: okay I see, so Ricky will be just fine in a Bok jersey with those monster forwards in front of him, no use talking about McLeod then.
1 Mar 2011, 08:03 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-28: is you thick?
ricky hasnt adapted.
but its a long season so lets see.
i am no ricky basher, he has bled green and gold so i will give him time to prove himself.
jano? nah, his psyche has been irreperably damaged by being involved with a bunch of lo….uhm..a team that has a losing habit.
maybe the lions could try rehab?
1 Mar 2011, 08:10 am
Didnt even know Sharks are in Australia. Chatting with Lwazi Mvovo on Facebook just now, asking why he’s up this early in the morning. He pointed out that it’s 14:05 in Australia. Boy do I feel dumb.
1 Mar 2011, 08:12 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-29:
“his psyche has been irreperably damaged by being involved with a bunch of lo….uhm..a team that has a losing habit”
come now Ranger, if you believe that **** then we may as well make al die Bulle Bokke.
1 Mar 2011, 08:13 am
Haha, the punters are throwing criticism our way! Well, if not for Alberts (who is a legend otherwise) stuffing up 2 trys, we would have had a bonus point. Against the Blues, yes the side that beat the saders in round 1. If I was a Cheetahs or Lions supporter I’d be worried about my own side – 0 from 2! If I was a Bulls or Stormers supporter I’d worry about my own side scraping past the minnows. The Sharks are on track and should get better. Adi and Deysel will provide excellent depth.
1 Mar 2011, 08:14 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-30: Name dropper
1 Mar 2011, 08:16 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-33:
Couldnt help myself.
1 Mar 2011, 08:17 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-31: rehab buddy, its all i can suggest.
gotta go, cheers.
1 Mar 2011, 08:20 am
Anybody here listen to Jacaranda FM’s Kaptein Skuim? He has a lovely remix of Steve Hofmeyr’s “Agter elke ma”.
Daar’s ‘n bul wat weet wat aangaan/
agter elke skrum/
Nou druk ons hul tot die trane rol/
Bakkies maak hul bang/
Almal maak tog foute/
Victor maak ‘n plan/
Solank Fourie du Preez staan/
agter elke skrum…
Should scope a couple of SAMAs in my humble opinion. Or at the very least a Huisgenoot Tempo award.
1 Mar 2011, 08:20 am
ma = man
1 Mar 2011, 08:25 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-34: Carry on. It’s nice to be surrounded by people who are surrounded by Facebook friends who are famous…
1 Mar 2011, 08:31 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-38:
The rays of their fame reflect of me. I get invites from hot chicks coz I know them.
Suckers…
1 Mar 2011, 08:35 am
the onlu way the Lions will win a game is if Elton breaks a leg … no seriously! Elton break a leg!!!
1 Mar 2011, 08:37 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-7:
Hahahahahaha adi’s pace!!!!!!!!! What are you smoking!
Sadly adi is a carthorse and a powder puff tackler. Fortunately he is very unlikley to to start again for the Boks and even the hatters pdv and muir have at last seen the light.
Yes Adi could make up the quota component if needs be but thats about it.
1 Mar 2011, 08:47 am
JLP will play at 12 this week I think.
9Mcleod
10Lambie
12JLP
13Tereblanche
Looks like a much more balanced backline.
Also I just hope people keep underestimating Hargreaves, Sykes, Kanko and Daniel. Not sure why teams dont watch them more closely but long may it continue.
Kanko was actually my man of the match on Sat. He’s discovered some mongrel in him that I certainly havent seen before.
1 Mar 2011, 08:47 am
John Smit is faster than Adi!
1 Mar 2011, 08:48 am
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-25: Because Ricky is fat and useless, whereas McLeod is the second best scrumhalf in South Africa.
I have a question for you. After two games, the Lions are down two losses. 2 points on the log, with a points difference of -7.
Last year – after two games, the Sharks were down two losses. 2 points on the log, with a points difference of -6.
Can you explain to me why the Sharks start to last years season was heralded as a major disaster, whereas the Lions start to this years competition is said to hold promise ? I know the answer – I just want to hear you say it Redpad.
Oh, and one more question. If the Lions lose to the Blues, will you still be here or are you going to do a disappearing act again ?
1 Mar 2011, 08:51 am
@WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-43: I think we have our centres for the world cup without considering Adi.
Jean De Villiers, Jacques Fourie, Juan De Jongh & Wynand Olivier. Those first three names are probably in the top 5 centres in the world.
In addition, we will have a number of backup utility players in the form of Zane Kirchner, Francois Steyn & Pat Lambie to take up a slot in the centre if needs be. If Peter Grant goes along, he can also play centre.
I doubt Adi will be considered, but we will have to wait and see. Who knows what PdV will do.
1 Mar 2011, 08:52 am
@WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton(WO_to_kill_Sir_Elton)-40: what’s with all this Elton hate? did that stud sleep with your wife/girlfriend/daughter? come on move on.
1 Mar 2011, 08:55 am
@John Galt(John Galt)-42: Kankowski has worked a lot on his physicality. I noticed it against both the Cheetahs and the Blues and so did the commentators.
Blue eyed boy, Pierre Spies will have to watch his back or more specifically the number on his back because it isn’t guaranteed. His defense was suspect again in both games for the Bulls.
But this is exactly what I expected from this year’s pre-world cup tournaments. A lot of questions to be answered. Willem Alberts is also a juggernaut ! And I hear Deysel will re-appear some time soon as well.
1 Mar 2011, 08:56 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-39: then what do you do to the hot chicks?
1 Mar 2011, 08:56 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-44: well Dirty last year they conceded on average 5 tries a game … and incase you did not get it the first time know this I have been here since mid 2003.
1 Mar 2011, 08:59 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-47: Ya, not so convinced. I have seen Kanko and Spies man up at this level before. Easy behind a rampant pack. Spies showed some physicality in the EOYT, Kanko has never brought to international level. Personally I’d rather start with Vermuelen (Alberts at 7 with Juan out) with Kanko or Spies coming off the bench in the last 20.
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