Steely Sharks compound Blues’ woes

Steely Sharks compound Blues’ woes

13 Apr 2012

RYAN VREDE reports on a 29-23 victory for the Sharks over the Blues that plunges the Auckland franchise into crisis.

There was a shared sense before this fixture that technical and tactical superiority would be less important to the Blues than sheer guts and grit. They have endured a battering in the press and public for their mediocrity and their rebuttal had to be good. It wasn’t. Far from it. There was only a small measure of the guts and grit their situation demanded. Their attacking play was sterile and their defence continues to be generous. Coach Pat Lam is surely now on the brink of losing his job.

Coming back from 15-0 down to trail 15-13 at the break suggested that they still had a little character. They were undoubtedly the better team in the first half, the Sharks’ two tries in that period coming thanks to two intercepts. Outside of that the Durban side failed to trouble their hosts. Certainly they were physical and organised on defence, but they profited from the Blues’ wastefulness in excellent positions. The Blues would finish with 17 handling errors and this was ultimately terminal to their cause.

The best of their spurned opportunities fell to Ma’a Nonu, who knocked on 7m short of the tryline. The Blues had reigned themselves in after a tactically cavalier start to the match and by the 30 minute mark were troubling the Sharks with their ability to play through multiple phases as well as their lineout and breakdown contest, the latter being the source of numerous broken field opportunities they failed to exploit.

But they would have been satisfied with the two-point deficit going down the tunnel and then elated at scoring a converted try just after the restart to take the lead for the first time. However, in typical Blues fashion, they fell into a deep defensive slumber and conceded two converted tries in five minutes, the first from Keegan Daniel and the second a controversial Tim Whitehead score. The midfielder clearly knocked the ball forward into a Blues player but recollected en route to the tryline.

The Sharks’ bench gave them fresh attacking and defensive impetus but they couldn’t manage the try that would surely have sealed the result. With 13 minutes to play Gareth Anscombe kicked his side to within a converted try of taking the lead. But the Blues looked every bit a team who lacked the belief to grab a win from that position. They made fundamental errors, while the Sharks were tactically masterful in closing down the game.

They return to Durban with five points from this match and two tour wins from four matches – an acceptable return that aids their push to top the SA conference. The Blues are left to pick up the pieces of a season that one senses is yet to reach its nadir.


630 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 13 » Show All

  • 201.munkiboi: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:14 am

    game over. well done sharkies.

  • 202.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:15 am

    Well done Sharkies… ‘gees’, interceptions and some individual brilliance got you through… not to mention arguably the shitest Blues we’ve seen in a long time…

    The need a Nucifora type back quick-smart!

  • 203.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:16 am

    How kak is this Blues team lol! OMG its hilarious the way they cough up possession!

  • 204.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:17 am

    5 points in the bag… So sharks have 12 points from tour, yeah?

    Not too shabby hey hating cunties

    Lambie best 10 is SA and possibly the comp…

    JPP best 13 in SA…

    Welcome back Deysenator…

    Burden is a superstar in waiting.

  • 205.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:17 am

    The Blues are dangerous to play against, so many neck hits that went un punished or any response from the referees

  • 206.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:21 am

    Got to laugh how the Sharks have made the Keo “prediction” experts look likecunts…

    My time to laugh tomorrow…

    Pweee Pweee…. that slow puncture is leaking…

    The bubble is about to burst…

    Schweet

  • 207.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:21 am

    11 points from the tour… 1 short of 3 wins… I will take it!!

  • 208.munkiboi: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:22 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-204:

    outplayed for most of the game. 2 intercepts, some individual brilliance and a lucky win. dont let this win paper over the cracks.

    but enjoy the win. i did. i love seeing sa teams beating kiwi teams. go stormers!

    how did the bulls lose to these blues?

  • 209.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:24 am

    So Sharks win by defending for a change and its lucky… Stormers do it and its brilliant?? FFS

  • 210.greentea: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:24 am

    Well played Sharks, it’ll make your annual choke that much worse in a month or two.

  • 211.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:25 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-204: Hahahahahahahahahaha. I reserve my hate for classy teams – not a ****** team that couldn’t even properly put away a team at the bottom of the log and probably the worst performing Blues team in history. Talk to me after we annihilate the poor gold fish at Kings Park.

  • 212.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:25 am

    Congrats Sharks

  • 213.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:27 am

    a win is a win. Well done Sharks!

  • 214.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:27 am

    Peewee the Stormers could also not put this **** team away!! Bonus point?? Nah…

  • 215.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:31 am

    @munkiboi(munkiboi)-208: You do realise the Sharks probably scored in this game 50% of Brokeback tries scored for the whole tournament…

    Sharks play rugby at least… Brokebacks don’t….

    They will be found out… tomorrow

  • 216.scrumfan: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:32 am

    @PrickBoks going South(PrickBoks going South)-97: You my friend can go Fu@k yourself…

  • 217.Dazzler: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:33 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-204: @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-204:

    It’s true what they say about you… you really are delusional.

  • 218.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:34 am

    @Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-211: Yeah right. I will be laughing when the brokebacks take a fifteen pointer shagging tomorrow…

    Oh woe is me…. The end of the world…

    Bubble pops…

    Wait

    Shhhhhtt

    Do hear that?

    Pwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….

    Whats that?

    A slow puncture :lol:

  • 219.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:35 am

    Good win Sharks. Now go the Stormers.

  • 220.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:36 am

    Sharks building momentum after last week’s horrir loss. They showed great character to come back and win this one. Now for a strech of 4 home games in the tank. They’re poised for a solid run in the middle of the season.

  • 221.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:36 am

    @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-214: The result was never in doubt for the Stormers against the Blues. I’d take a win over BP anyday – especially if all you twam is good for is intercepts. Its good for the Sharks that they won but don’t be lulled into a false sense of belief that the form is there again. This Blues team was rubbish today!

  • 222.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:37 am

    The HG Bok Performance Team so far:

    15 Pietersen
    14. Cheetah
    13. JPP
    12. Whitehead
    11. Habana
    10 Lambie
    9 Hougaard
    8 Daniel
    7. Potgieter
    6. Broussouw
    5. Kruger
    4. Etsebeth
    3. Jannie
    2. Burden
    1. Greyling

  • 223.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:38 am

    @Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-221: Your Brokebacks ain’t gonna beat the Saders tommmmmorrrrrow…

    Sorrrrrry for yoooooo – oouuuu

  • 224.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:39 am

    now lets hope the Stormpoppies klap the undercover gougers.

    and won’t it be lovely if the cubs beat the Tswane Tollies?

  • 225.Jeez: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:39 am

    Couldnt watch the game… So what is lacking or what is wrong with the sharks? Is it time for Plumtree to go? I dont believe you can blame the players. Plums selection have always been weak and a game plan never really stands out…

  • 226.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:39 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-218: Light your candles, go down on your knees and pray like you’ve never prayed before……….like you do in vain every week. Congrats on beating a Vodacom cup team today. Champagne all round bwahahahahahahaha.

  • 227.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:40 am

    Stormers are going to show the Crusaders team why they’re considered has-beens by all and sundry!! 10 point win at least.

  • 228.scrumfan: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:42 am

    @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-161: Warren Brosnihan is unbearable!

  • 229.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:43 am

    @Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-226: I will pray that the Brokebacks learn how to score tries… and you know, actually play rugby?

    But alas, with Donkey at 12 the ball aint getting to 13… or 14 or 15… or anybody else.

    And against the Saders, them Brokeback passion wagon wheels are going to come off… tomorrow :lol:

  • 230.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:43 am

    @Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-226: Pffff.

  • 231.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:43 am

    Peewee I am under no illusions… Sharks can play much better!! Beating a desperate team on their home ground with a bonus point is perfect by me… And their first try was not a try and their second was a gift… So I think the win was also never in doubt… Take what you want from it…

  • 232.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:44 am

    Lambie the difference in this Sharks team. Absolutely phenomenal in general play today.
    Him and Whitehead have been revelations in what has been an inconsistent Sharks team, with Whitehead in particular, my player of the season so far. Hes proving to be a far greater loss to the stormers than Sadie.

    I must also say that the Sharks were lucky they came up against a horrid Blues side. 17 hanidling errors…you’re not going to win a game easily with those stats.

    Also, calls that went against us last week, went for us this week. So the game goes.
    Keegan Daniel – massive. I just wish they would give the captaincy to someone else and let the oke play his game.

    Sharks have a long way to go yet but signs are looking better and with Beast, Bismark, Kanko and a few others waiting at home, I think it’ll be a fairly happy Sharks team on that plane tomorrow morning.

  • 233.Nils: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:44 am

    Good win and congrats Sharkies about the bonus, opportunities taken despite being outplayed, for Blues campaign is stone dead and time for rebuilding.

    And now Sharkies are world beaters again and Lambie is “the best” etc. etc. 8)

  • 234.Dazzler: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:44 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-218:

    People like you make me laugh. The enitre season, every game, you’re telling us how we’re going to lose. And eventually, we will lose a game, and then you’ll bleat on and on about how you were right. Nevermind the fact that you were wrong every other week.

    Surely it must be agony for you seeing the Stormers win every week and turning the Sharks into their little bunnies over the past 2 seasons.

    What a sad existence, worry about your mid table team before commenting on top of the table teams. And show some pride, stop making yourself look like a fool every time your grubby little paws touch the keyboard.

  • 235.SteveWarren: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:45 am

    Well done sharks. Nice tactical kicking from Lambie in the second half.

  • 236.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:45 am

    @scrumfan(scrumfan)-228: second that!!! i would rather listen to Naas than ‘ol Warren. Who made him a commentator anyway?

  • 237.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:45 am

    @Nils(Nils)-233: Fuckright. 4 tries and a bonus point at the Phaaaaark :lol:

  • 238.charo: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:46 am

    good start for our sa teams.

    now go stormers – give those shonky saders a rev tomorrow.

    then cheetahs pull off the impossible later.

    kiwis not looking so hot this season.

  • 239.Cheetahs27: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:46 am

    Good start to the weekend. Well done Sharks!

  • 240.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:47 am

    NIce win for the Sharks.

    Deserved after Walsh doing his best in the first half to not make it so.

    Some lucky calls on both sides in the second half, but well closed out by the Sharks.

  • 241.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:47 am

    @Dazzler(Dazzler)-234: Its rare that I’m wrong…. By the grace of the ref gifted gimme penalties at the end of each game I have been wrong…

  • 242.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:49 am

    @John Galt(John Galt)-232: Beast, Bismark and Kanko back… Plus Hargreaves… plus that ex brokeback at lock…. Its looking good with depth…

    Schweet

  • 243.Nils: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:50 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-237: Yes indeed, Sharks supporters can be very pleased with the outcome today.

  • 244.SteveWarren: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:50 am

    The stormers game tomorrow has already got me nervous lol.

  • 245.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:51 am

    @logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck)-236: naas is s(hit as a commentator and an analyst, he tells the viewers what they’ve already seen, no original insight whatsoever, kak english too.

    only thing you’ll get from Naas is:

    Arno Geerdts: so Naas what will it take for (insert Saffa team) to win?

    Naas: the tyt fayf need to do their job, that’s it.

  • 246.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:53 am

    Kiwi teams are really faffing around this year. Can anyone say: World cup hangover?

  • 247.Dazzler: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:53 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-241:

    Dude don’t be ridiculous. I might not post here very often but I read the posts every day. And EVERY WEEK you predict the Stormers demise and spew a bunch of nonsense towards them. Still waiting…

    But I guess it’s all about the law of averages, eventually you will call a Stormers loss correctly. The Stormers dont worry though, they still have their gimme to come at the Shark Tank against their bunnies…

  • 248.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:53 am

    @Nils(Nils)-243: Despite Steve Walsh trying very hard to change the true outcome… Spose he wasn’t quite as good as Glennie Jackson last week…

    Maybe the Aussies have taught him a bit of integrity since he’s been based there…

  • 249.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:55 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-229: They should learn how to intercept and beat the bottom of the log horse manure. Let us show you how its done at Kings Park my boy.

  • 250.Nils: Reply to this comment
    13 Apr 2012, 11:55 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-248: Let he who is without jonkers, cast the first stone, my friend.

Pages: « 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 13 » Show All

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.