Chiefs edge Durban scrap
21 Apr 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on the Chiefs’ 18-12 victory over the Sharks at Kings Park.
The Sharks spoke this week about finding the synergy and cohesion that has been lacking for most of their campaign. It didn’t happen for them tonight for a plethora of reasons, most notably their inability to retain the ball through enough phases for them to build line-depleting pressure on their opponents.
When they weren’t knocking the ball on in contact or, at times, under no pressure whatsoever, or overcooking lineouts, their ill-discipline further undermined their cause. Unseasonable humidity complicated handling, and while both sides were guilty of fundamental errors in this regard, the Sharks could have aided their effort by holding the ball through their forwards more often than they were willing to do.
Indeed they bossed possession and territory and when they were direct they looked capable of unlocking the Chiefs’ stingy defence. Instead they often went wide without earning the right to do so first, and were met by organised, physical and intelligent defence.
The Chiefs absorbed early pressure well then struck against the run of play. A multi-phase move eroded the Sharks’ defensive line and they shifted the ball wide to Aaron Cruden who cut through amidst calls of obstruction from Sharks players. A review of that score suggested they may have had a solid argument for a penalty. Cruden converted and later kicked a penalty to give his side breathing room.
Much of the Sharks’ focus had been on nullifying the efficient strike runners in the Chiefs’ pack as a means of diluting Sonny Bill Williams’ potency. But the midfielder rendered himself a relative non-factor with his worst performance in Super Rugby. His offloads failed to find their mark and his hands seemed to have been dipped in industrial strength lubricant before kick-off. However, even with the Chiefs’ most dangerous attacking weapon blunted, the Sharks couldn’t get the precision into their attacking game to capitalise.
Pat Lambie kicked three penalties either side of half-time to draw his side within a point. The Chiefs reverted to a more forward-orientated in the second half while the Sharks retained faith in their sterile method. Their fans would have hoped their replacements would have injected some penetration into their play, exploiting the Chiefs’ travel-weary legs and minds.
And they gradually grew in stature, Lambie kicking a penalty to set up a tense finish. You sensed the Sharks would end stronger but they never had the patience and tactical purpose to steal the victory. They became increasingly frantic as full-time neared and in so doing became easier to repel. Chiefs scrumhalf Augustine Pulu scored an audacious try after the siren sounded, faking to kick for touch then breaking through a gap and dancing down the touchline.
The Sharks needed to win this one to keep their charge for the conference title on track. Dropping home points has often been terminal to teams’ ambitions and you have to think that this one will come back to haunt them.
584 Comments
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21 Apr 2012, 18:11 pm
only peanut brained fakface is this poefta Woesiesquirt who was so sure SharkieVarkie f’ng wannabes were automatic top rated saffa outfit this year.. Keep singing that lullaby and perhaps lady luck bales you out this miserable experience of Sharks hopeless ineptitude on their home turf.
21 Apr 2012, 18:11 pm
Nice Lambie
21 Apr 2012, 18:12 pm
When is HM announcing the names of the Sharks and Bulls players for his second planning camp? Hope JdP is not on the list. He got creamed at scrum time and didn’t add anything else to the game, except a stupid halftime interview.
21 Apr 2012, 18:13 pm
Just saw HG in the crowd. Going bananas.
He looks fed up.
21 Apr 2012, 18:14 pm
At last some spark!!!
21 Apr 2012, 18:14 pm
Hande Viljoen, hande
21 Apr 2012, 18:14 pm
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-104:
21 Apr 2012, 18:14 pm
Unlucky nice counter attack from the sharks
21 Apr 2012, 18:15 pm
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-104:
21 Apr 2012, 18:15 pm
If you dont get all the handling errors you have never experienced Dbn humidity.
21 Apr 2012, 18:16 pm
Who is that super angry Sharks fan that somehow manages to get on tv every home game?
21 Apr 2012, 18:18 pm
Coetzee is a tackles machine!
21 Apr 2012, 18:19 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-111: HG
21 Apr 2012, 18:19 pm
Great kick Lambie,sharks should have taken that 1st penalty and kicked for posts,would have been in the lead by now.Overconfidence in these conditions only leads to heartbreak.
21 Apr 2012, 18:20 pm
Bismarck you plank!!! Pass and it was danger for the Chiefs!!
21 Apr 2012, 18:21 pm
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-113:
Looks like he’s about to bust his poopstring.
21 Apr 2012, 18:22 pm
@skyewalker(skyewalker)-116: He is living on the edge!
21 Apr 2012, 18:23 pm
Game becoming a snooze fest now
21 Apr 2012, 18:23 pm
Told you guys…Chiefs are very short on brains.
21 Apr 2012, 18:23 pm
Not one of these two teams deserves to win.
K@k game.
21 Apr 2012, 18:25 pm
Nice Lambie.
21 Apr 2012, 18:26 pm
That freak should red carded
21 Apr 2012, 18:26 pm
111@WS… He has been going to games for years, even when we were still going. Lot of the companys have season tickets and give to staff and clients,normally have a tent with free grub and booze after game.
21 Apr 2012, 18:26 pm
Eina
21 Apr 2012, 18:27 pm
Go off you dirty freak
21 Apr 2012, 18:28 pm
A vicious no binding high tackle, and no Yellow?
21 Apr 2012, 18:28 pm
Filthy fecker !!!!!! Shocking calls from ref.
21 Apr 2012, 18:29 pm
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-122: For what? For a head collision?
21 Apr 2012, 18:29 pm
They playing at Newlands?… Nice one.
21 Apr 2012, 18:30 pm
Take that!
21 Apr 2012, 18:31 pm
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-128: No arms. If it was Schalk or Butch, red for sure.
He will be cited.
21 Apr 2012, 18:32 pm
This ref and touch judge are hondk@k.
21 Apr 2012, 18:34 pm
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-131: Look again, he actually had his arms out. Unfortunately his head made contact first.
21 Apr 2012, 18:34 pm
Ja-nee….2 instances where the jarpies would’ve been carded by the “international” ref, but blood is thicker than water hey
21 Apr 2012, 18:35 pm
Chiefs defend well, there’s a need to bring on some mass ballast in Deysel and Burden for Daniel and Botes to break them up front
21 Apr 2012, 18:36 pm
Jeepers, let’s hope the Bulls and Brumbies serve up better rugby!!!
21 Apr 2012, 18:36 pm
Chiefs look tired. Game looks tired
21 Apr 2012, 18:39 pm
Michalak will stuff this up.
Wait and see
21 Apr 2012, 18:39 pm
“Very talented footballer”… yeah Bob, keep on trucking.
21 Apr 2012, 18:40 pm
Those PIs lack handling and ball control skills, seemed their stock in trade for the Kiwis teams is their viciousness and intimidating presence/
21 Apr 2012, 18:41 pm
Wanted to say what is the sense in bringing on subs wit 9 minutes to go but wow, Burden and Michalak made an impact, upping the tempo nicely!!
21 Apr 2012, 18:42 pm
Chiefs should run at sharks 10 and 12 channel.
Weak defence there now.
21 Apr 2012, 18:43 pm
One thing is clear to me after observing this match,Sharks will not enjoy any kind of homefield advantage in forth coming matches ’cause sweaty humid conditions at the shark tank completely levels the playing field.Very frustrating the number of handling errors.Bob says they used to practice in the mornings with a wet ball dipped in a tank of water but it sure does not seem to help sharks much.
21 Apr 2012, 18:44 pm
Horrible horrible game, something needs to be fixed.
21 Apr 2012, 18:44 pm
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-137:
I am tired of watching…bring on the Bulls!
21 Apr 2012, 18:44 pm
Michalak throws the ball game, sharks then concede penalty.
French flair my arse, more like french fries
21 Apr 2012, 18:47 pm
Shocking
21 Apr 2012, 18:47 pm
BOSMAN IS KAK
SHARKS ARE KAK
PLUMTREE OUT
21 Apr 2012, 18:47 pm
Meyer Tosman. Aiy.
21 Apr 2012, 18:47 pm
Bosman is not the most popular player in durbs
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