Sharks must counter Reds’ pressure play
14 Mar 2012
RYAN VREDE writes the Sharks will lose if they don’t find a way to combat the Reds’ efficient multi-phase approach.
The defending champions bring an unbeaten record to Durban on Saturday despite missing inspirational flyhalf Quade Cooper (serious knee injury) and having other injuries compromise selection continuity.
However, they have shown their class in adapting to these setbacks, tailoring their approach to the strengths of the available personnel as well as adapting to the referees’ current vigilance in punishing breakdown infringements. They’ve reigned in their preferred expansive approach, employing a phase-based method that has brought good reward.
They’ve played through 393 phases (131 per match) which has enabled them to build pressure on their opponents. While there has been little by way of linebreaks the Reds have forced numerous penalties, with flyhalf Mike Harris proving to be a deadly goalkicker to date, slotting 15 of 17 three-point attempts. Indeed 45 of their 71 points have come by way of penalties.
The Sharks didn’t respond well to this tactic in their defeat to the Bulls in the opening match, consistently infringing at ruck time and allowing Morné Steyn to build the Bulls’ lead. They improved slightly in this regard against the Stormers a week later, although it was once again their ill-discipline at the breakdown that cost them.
The Reds are by no means a one-dimensional team, with the likes of Will Genia, Digby Ioane, Ben Tapuai and Rod Davies among others capable of punishing teams in open field. However, it would be foolish to ignore the trend in their method. In this regard, discipline will be central to any Sharks victory.
Coach John Plumtree will be well advised to have a special word with Bismarck du Plessis. An undoubtedly gifted player, Du Plessis has the tendency to concede penalties at crucial times and in kickable positions. He leads the tournament in penalties conceded (8) and did so for much of 2011.
The Sharks snapped their two-match losing streak with a win over the Lions at the weekend and Plumtree stressed the importance of building on that platform.
‘Hopefully we get better now that we have a win under the belt. When you’re two-zip down in a tournament like this, you need to stay away from losing more games consecutively, so we’re pleased that we beat the Lions,’ he said. ‘Now, hopefully, we can press forward and improve on all of our processes. There are some aspects we’re happy with in our game but still others we’re not. We have to tidy that up.’
Plumtree also drove home the point of avoiding flat periods when in the ascendency.
‘At times against the Lions, we did go to sleep and let them get back into the game and you can’t allow that,’ he said. ‘We worked really hard to get into a good position and then took the foot off the pedal. That stressed us so we’ve got to be more ruthless in that area. The Reds will present something a little bit different on the weekend and we need to be able to cope with that.’
The Sharks are expected to be able to select from the same pool of players available to them last week. Keegan Daniel is nursing a slight ankle injury and Du Plessis is being treated for a knee injury but the medical team is optimistic about his recovery.
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60 Comments
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14 Mar 2012, 17:37 pm
Sharks:
15 Pat Lambie 14 JP Pietersen 13 JP Pietersen 12 Pat Lambie 11 JP Pietersen 10 Pat Lambie 9 Pat Lambie 8 Willem Alberts 7 Willem Alberts (c) 6 Bismarck du Plessis 5 Willem Alberts 4 Willem Alberts 3 Bismarck du Plessis 2 Bismark du Plessis 1 Bismarck du Plessis
Subs: 16 Bismarck du Plessis 17 Bismarck du Plessis 18 Willem Alberts 19 Willem Alberts 20 Pat Lambie 21 Pat Lambie 22 JP Pietersen
Strong team, sensible selections. If the Sharks play to their strengths they will take this one.
14 Mar 2012, 17:40 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-47:
The backs shifting the ball wide on early phases is not a problem – it has worked for them for a number of seasons now, and has won them a CC final against a very strong WP defence.
They can afford to attack the wider channels earlier than most teams, and in the process shifting defensive lines. Why? Because their loose forwards are usually quicker than the opposition.
However, you make a very valid point in mentioning that they are too lateral in their motions. I would add their passing accuracy as another concern, which makes their attacks slower and less potent at the contact point.
In fact, all of our young flyhalves’ passing (and in particular Jantjies!!!) needs to step up.
The Sharks looked very threatening against the Bulls when Meyer Bosman shifted to 10.
14 Mar 2012, 17:47 pm
Uh-uh, Sharks must to nothing- they must just giving those Red raggamuffins a royal rogering.
I want to see at least how many stretchers they keep on reserve next to the field matchday.
For heavens sake Alberts, you’re not called the “Bone collector” for nothing. And next up: BULLS
14 Mar 2012, 17:55 pm
@willievz(willievz)-52: There’s no point simply passing the ball through the hands from a starting point behind the advantage line unless you have a numerical advantage. You only normally get a numerical advantage after sustained phases have disorganised the defensive line and/or drawn in defenders to the ruck area. The defensive lines these days are so expertly drilled simply passing the ball through the hands is nevr going to achieve much.
What the Sharks need is consistent ball in hand phase play incorporating more than just a short pop from the base of the ruck to Alberts, Bismark, Coetzee, etc. We need to create different angles, on some occasions we need to pass the ball through 2 or 3 sets of hands before the next ruck, we need to look for the off load, we need dummy runners, etc. This may all sound extremely simplistic but we need SOMETHING to create uncertainty in the defenders’ minds and when pulled off properly the above – after sustained phases – works like a charm. The downside (which the Sharks seem to struggle with) is to avoid turnovers at the breakdown and isolated runners.
14 Mar 2012, 17:56 pm
@mad eye(mad eye)-48: you are talking about DEFENCE…we are telling you they can’t attack for s(hit! they live off scrap created by their marauding LOOSIES& tight forwards…
are your eyes wide shut?
14 Mar 2012, 18:33 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-54: Some good points there.
You can certainly take the ball to wider channels early, provided your support runners can assist the tackle point efficiently. The ABs in particular make regular contact with their 13 from first phase, with Carter skipping Nonu to allow the latter as a carrier assist.
What this allow you is to suck in the defensive 12 (in a defensive rush) or the 10 (in a defensive drift) on phase one, leaving more forwards in the defensive line in the opposite direction on phase two.
The key is variation – go through defenses here, go around defenses there.
It is important to employ a mixture of attacking strategies to keep defensive lines guessing and realigning, taking into account the speed of your ruck ball and field position.
15 Mar 2012, 02:07 am
Sharks vs Genia
Reds by 10+
15 Mar 2012, 07:48 am
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck)-9: Brisbane is exactly like Durban ?????
15 Mar 2012, 08:11 am
Alucard Bulls looked more threatening?? Hahahahahahaha!! I was at the game! Bulls never ever looked like scoring a try thats why they reverted to kicking which worked!!
15 Mar 2012, 09:43 am
Not sure if this comment is accurate but I’ll make it anyway. A lot gets said about how we treasure our currie cup and how we are reluctant to let it go even thought super & trinations rugby fixtures are ever expanding but do the players buy into this treasure? It’s weird how our current currie cup champs who knocked over a this very same team only 6 months ago gets a 4 try bonus point taken of them. This leads me to believe that the players are almost taking the currie cup easy, maybe a time to try things in preparation for the big show aka Super rugby. Any comments?
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