Tahs edge Sydney epic
24 Mar 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on a compelling 34-30 victory for the Waratahs over the Sharks.
The Tahs probably weren’t the better side on the balance of play. But they needed and wanted this more. They never relented at any stage, despite the Sharks mounting considerable pressure on them. Their mettle was tested and they responded in emphatic manner to break a losing streak that threatened to compromise their campaign.
The Sharks will lament soft moments that kept the Tahs in the contest. They had their hosts on the ropes at various times, but couldn’t land the knock-out punch.
They seem to have made strides in remedying their inconsistent attacking play. They looked good when playing through phases, especially when their primary strike runners in the pack get their hands on the ball. Those heavies were dominant in the opening quarter and allowed the Sharks to deplete the Tahs’ defence and hurt them in the wide channels.
They went ahead in this manner three minutes into the contest, with a slick interchange of passes on the left wing culminating in Lwazi Mvovo sprinting in for a try. Pat Lambie added the extras then kicked a conversion to give his side a 10-point lead.
The Tahs looked largely impotent when they sought to play expansively. Credit to the Sharks, who withdrew men from their breakdown contest, fanned in defence and isolated ball carriers, forcing turnovers.
The Tahs’ lateral shuffling posed little threat and they should have been more direct than they were. Indeed their only first half try came after an erosive multi-phase move that finished with scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin sniping around a poorly guarded ruck fringe to score.
McKibbin kicked the conversion to go with an earlier penalty but the Sharks hit back immediately, mauling powerfully, Keegan Daniel crossing the whitewash. The Tahs spurned a chance to go ahead, Adam Ashley-Cooper knocking on with the tryline beckoning, and they had to be content with another McKibbin penalty that left them trailing 17-13 at the break.
The Sharks looked vastly superior and threatened to score every time they were able to get continuity in their play. The Tahs also had no rebuttal to their rolling maul, and Bismarck du Plessis emerged from one 7m from the tryline and simply swatted away the tackle attempts of two defenders to score. Du Plessis started the season slowly but he has gradually found his stride and is showing glimpses of the form that made him the world’s best hooker in 2011.
Lambie landed the conversion but the Tahs refused to succumb, responding with two converted tries in seven minutes to take the lead for the first time. For all their attacking advances the Sharks continue to undermine their cause by falling into a slumber at crucial times.
Lambie levelled the scores with 18 minutes play but you sensed the Sharks, with the better, more experienced bench, would edge this one. The replacements galvanised the visitors, upping their tempo and forcing a series of breakdown infringements, one of which Lambie banked to edge his side ahead with nine minutes to play.
But the Tahs’ deep desperation drove them on and Tom Kingston finished a move that’s birth can be traced back to their own 22m. Berrick Barnes kicked the conversion that required the Sharks to score a try for the win. It wasn’t to be and the Tahs’ players’ celebrations at the final whistle indicated just how much the victory meant to them.
158 Comments
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24 Mar 2012, 09:14 am
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-95: Sharks have lost a couple that they could have, should have won… namely the Mofgatte at Newlands and Tahs – both away… Losses are losses however and they need to close out these games… But I am really enjoying the sparks of enterprise reminiscent of the best of the 90′s… Just a bit more consistency and then the boys will be right up there at the business end of the comp towards the end of july… Long way to go yet and the premature ejaculators will no doubt fall by the wayside before then…
24 Mar 2012, 09:18 am
@ufo(ufo)-100: Thats it… Believe your own press, Keo’s very own “celebrity”… And an armchair quack to boot… Gottaluv the self absorption and sense of blogtastic importance
*Audience applause*, as befitting the star you are…
24 Mar 2012, 09:20 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-97: Sure looks like they are taking delight from the comments here. Reminds me of a kindergarten playground. Never mind one has to take it from whence it comes.
The Sharks lost and it bloody well hurts us supporters but from what I read in the article they played well and deserved better on their first away game. There is plenty of rugby still to be played , so lets wait and see what happens, I’m confident that they are playing the right style and also playing to their strengths at this moment in time with a depleted line up. In any case their play is getting game by game.
24 Mar 2012, 09:25 am
@bananaboy(bananaboy)-103: That’s sadly what happens when HG comes on here and insults the Stormers the way he does, he polarises opinion. People go back at him and dig at him when the Sharks lose, and then other Sharks supporters take it personally etc etc.
I try not to let my annoyance for certain bloggers affect my opinion of the teams they support, after all the only type of rugby they’ve probably played is in their minds.
But not everyone will be that generous.
24 Mar 2012, 09:25 am
Hehehe
That’s it…?
Thing is… everyone has seen through your dishonesty… and too now… apparently… has your wife…
Took her longer than most… but just proves you can’t fool anyone al the time…
How’s the one-handed pepper shaker practice coming along…
fuckinwanker
24 Mar 2012, 09:27 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-99: Yes… I feel left out… Its always been very important to me…
“Acceptance” by the
Kings of Keo (self appointed)….
The knowledgeable “Captains of Industry”…
The Guardians of Keo blogdom morality…
Boohoo… I also just want to be self important on this blog….
24 Mar 2012, 09:30 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-106: Yes, I’m sure that you love being ignored,
In fact I’ve seldom met someone who tries as hard as you to be ignored.
24 Mar 2012, 09:30 am
3/3 on Superbru for the weekend.
Beginner’s luck I suppose.
24 Mar 2012, 09:32 am
@ufo(ufo)-105: Hehehe… My wife? You mean the “banshee”?
Sucker… Banshee is still locked up under the stairs… I’ll let her out when shes a good girl…
Gotta love the moralistic UFO “star” attempting to get down and dirty…
Careful, you might be seen as vindictive and childish… self analysis might be required
24 Mar 2012, 09:34 am
How come the Crusaders were not blown for holding on there and the penalty goes the other way. The Cheetahs number 1 was originally on his feet entitled to play the ball.
24 Mar 2012, 09:34 am
Bananaboy… True…
But I was actually supporting the sharks and defending them…
They played very well and could have won… and WILL do so more often than not… I still expect them to make the playoffs…
It’s early days in a very long season…!
24 Mar 2012, 09:35 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-107: Are you trying to ignore me…
Here’s a :patonthebacksmiley: for you…
Maybe an :acceptancesmiley: too…
24 Mar 2012, 09:37 am
Hoosen scores!
24 Mar 2012, 09:39 am
Great try by the Cheetahs despite being blown off the park. They are not getting the 50/50 calls and when a prop advances on a kick from his fullback without being played onside and doesnt get blown its blatant home town refereeing.
24 Mar 2012, 09:39 am
SHARKIEVARKIES….!!!! Wtf…. Childish name from a grown man.
24 Mar 2012, 09:40 am
Fun over…
Sorry the silent majority… Have to go now…
Back to dreary to and fro’ quips from the “locals”…
Maybe you’ll get lucky with a couple of pearls of wisdom from the Keo “Captains of Industry” and armchair quacks…
Be back later for more entertainment….
24 Mar 2012, 09:41 am
whatever you call her… shows your disrespect for her… and ultimately yourself…
but that won’t surprise anyone…
24 Mar 2012, 09:58 am
Sharks did play well!! They want to throw caution to the wind… Alas didnt pull through… But they are building nicely!
24 Mar 2012, 10:01 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-99: His team is making it very difficult for him, won’t get any easier for him later.
24 Mar 2012, 10:03 am
Cheetahs are going to win!!!
24 Mar 2012, 10:05 am
Mofgatte.
Returning serve?
24 Mar 2012, 11:11 am
Tough luck Sharks. Reading this article it seem the Sharks were the better team and deserved to win more.
24 Mar 2012, 11:12 am
Isn’t it funny how easily HG gets under the Stormers’ skins?
24 Mar 2012, 11:15 am
The Sharks do have a shocking record against the Waratahs, so I guess in a way nothing surprising with this result. I want to see this record turned around from next year.
24 Mar 2012, 11:36 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-123:
Strange how some people seem to get their kicks out of life by trying to get under the skins of others. Here are a few of them on this blog.
24 Mar 2012, 11:43 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-125: I guess those people you mention are only reacting to something. There is a lot of Stormers arrogance on this site so I personally like seeing their fans revved up about it.
What did Poopie69 call it? Returning serve?
24 Mar 2012, 11:44 am
It’s all just a bit of fun, nothing to get too worked up about Rob.
24 Mar 2012, 12:00 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-127:
Possibly, I am however not always sure if this type of behaviour (especially if it is consistent) is only fun or perhaps as a result of some deeper rooted psychological disorder.
Anyway, I am no shrink and it is nothing to get worked up about (as you said) so lets leave it
Tough luck for the Sharks- but winning away from home against a desperate Tahs side also taking into consideration that the Sharks covered some time-zones this week was always going to be tough.
24 Mar 2012, 12:04 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-128: and it doesn’t get any easier for the Sharks. The Brumbies are playing well in their game now (perhaps the Highlanders will be too strong in the end) but the Sharks haven’t won in Canberra since 1998.
Another tough away fixture where the record books are against them.
24 Mar 2012, 12:11 pm
Shoulda won that … Sharks now got an uphill battle to make playoffs.
24 Mar 2012, 12:12 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-128:
HG is a prick.
Lets just call it as we see it.
24 Mar 2012, 12:18 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-129:
Brumbies are surprise packet so far for me.
Maybe old Jake is not as bad as I always thought
The Sharks started very slowly last year as well and as a result could not catch up- so I reckon they need to win at least 2 matches on tour to stay in contention- they will for sure getting stronger as the year progresses especially if Steyn might also join them and a few others might find form after being out of the game for a while (Alberts, Deysel, and even the Beast etc..)
24 Mar 2012, 12:19 pm
the Tahs are pretty average this season
which makes the Sharks complete and utter
LEMONS !
24 Mar 2012, 12:43 pm
The Sharks lazy defence moving sideways waiting for the Waratahs to regroup was for me the most frustrating part of watching this game.
The Sharks waited for the opposition to come at them instead of rushing up to keep the pressure on them. This The Sharks of old….no mental strength when they’re ahead. This is not the stuff of a championship side.
Handling errors every single time they attacked the Waratahs right side….WTF!
24 Mar 2012, 12:44 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-71:
True
I support brumbies, follow Reds and tahs and Stormers. Reds, tahs and stormers on the same level after the brumbies.
24 Mar 2012, 12:50 pm
This new Pee Wee chap is the epitome of Stormer arrogance. Zzz Zzz Zzz
24 Mar 2012, 12:58 pm
I support the Sharks and no-one else.
In matches that don’t feature my team I don’t pray for any other team to lose. But if any other team losing helps my team then so be it. And that includes other SA teams.
24 Mar 2012, 14:31 pm
I must confess I do pray for those heathen Stormersaders to lose.
Is this a sin?
If so then penance shall be 6 beers at least in celebration should my call be answered…
24 Mar 2012, 14:32 pm
For the life of me, I can’t understand what Plumbtree is thinking when he replaces a player who is having a blinder with a dork who is clearly past his sell buy date! I’m not a Bosman fan but he was really doing well out there today…and then rplacing a lock with a hooker and your most influential loosie on the park must move to lock……fark. In a way I hope the sharks don’t make the playoffs so that arse Plumtree can get the boot!
24 Mar 2012, 14:37 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-138: Me too! Live in CT work with a bunch of WEEPEE supporters…if they win tonight my Monday is a nightmare!Still think its a sin but then I know I’m a sinner! Hail Mary…..
24 Mar 2012, 14:42 pm
@gr8 white(gr8 white)-140: Hail Mary… Lol… Classic
24 Mar 2012, 14:51 pm
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a sin
For praying the Stormers never to have won
And that they never do
Every match and inbetween
Every game that I’m going to
It’s a sin….
24 Mar 2012, 15:31 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-138:
Stormers won 3/3 and sharks won 1/4 so far.
Which means your success rate as a praying man is 1/7.
Seems like your god does not like you that much.
24 Mar 2012, 16:06 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-136: You are by far the biggest tjop on this blog. By miles…
You’re not only childish and stupid, but ignorant to a point where you believe that your reasoning is completely normal. Much like terrorists who think they are fighting the good fight, you think your reasoning helps the Sharks’ cause.
Tjops like you leave a bitter taste in the mouths of people who would otherwise not mind the Sharks.
You must never again say something about bad Stormer or Bulls fans, because you are the worst of the worst. You make the real outliner Stormer and Bull supporters look like the moderates of SA rugby.
And please don’t come with this “just returning the serve” bullshite.
Tjop!
24 Mar 2012, 16:13 pm
I do believe I have a stalker. How touching.
24 Mar 2012, 16:14 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-145: That’s it my child, prove my point
24 Mar 2012, 16:14 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-143: Rob, the Sharks have won 2/5 so far. The 3 they have lost have all been away games.
Stormers have 3/3 but so far all their games have been at home.
24 Mar 2012, 16:15 pm
Psycho.
24 Mar 2012, 16:15 pm
Psycho stalker.
24 Mar 2012, 16:19 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-149: Don’t imitate you-know-who with a smiley face.
I’m surprised you’re still here after you-know-who ate you up for breakfast by exposing you for the fake-two-face-pooper you are.
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