Ruthless Sharks flay Force
12 May 2012
RYAN VREDE watched the Sharks reignite their play-off challenge with a 53-11 bonus-point victory over the Force.
Despite the emphatic scoreline, the slick performance the Sharks have been in search of continues to elude them, but in the context of their play-off charge they did what was required.
While they bagged the all-important four-try bonus point, their attacking play generally lacked variety, innovation and precision. Instead they relied too heavily on individuals to inspire or fed off the Force’s numerous mistakes. A better team would not have been as defensively generous as the Force were this evening and the Sharks will know they have work to do in this facet of play in the coming weeks.
However, there was certainly plenty for them to be pleased about. Defensively they were outstanding, exhibiting good structure and bossing the gainline through brutal hits that never allowed the Force the opportunity to build attacking momentum. There are attacking concerns from structured play, but they remain a side capable of crossing the whitewash and if they can marry that with a high defensive standard they will advance their play-off cause and be very difficult to beat.
Then there were the individual contributions from key players. Beast Mtawarira was industrious in attack and defence, Bismarck du Plessis carried powerfully and was a force on defence, Paul Jordaan looks a good fit in the Sharks’ problem position of outside centre and there was a strong showing from lock Anton Bresler.
But the most lavish praise must be reserved for the brilliant young Marcell Coetzee. Coetzee, who turned 21 this week, is a Springbok in the making and is likely to be one within the year. His attacking work-rate is phenomenal and he rarely doesn’t make yards at the gainline. His tackle fight is equally efficient and he appears to possess a degree of mongrel that you can’t coach. The South African loose forward factory regularly churns out gems, but he was made in the luxury division and boasts performance specs well beyond the ordinary.
The Sharks effectively sealed the result five minutes after half time, Louis Ludik crossing on 41 minutes and Lwazi Mvovo intercepting twice to score and add to Steven Sykes and Jordaan’s first half scores, the latter crafted by a sublime Pat Lambie break. The Force’s resistance crumbled thereafter and they became a soft target for the Sharks, who added to their try tally through Craig Burden and Jacques Botes.
The conference title is probably beyond them, but with two matches against the Cheetahs and one against the Lions remaining you have to fancy the Sharks’ chances of making the play-offs. Consistency has eluded them and that needs to change. This performance was flawed but can certainly be the catalyst for their final surge in the league phase.
168 Comments
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13 May 2012, 11:57 am
Would truly be interested to know Coetzee’s stats yesterday:
Tackles
Carries
Meters per Carry
I reckon this guy’s stats are as good if not better than any other loosie in Super Rugby…
13 May 2012, 12:03 pm
I reckon Coetzee is Samson on the Rugby field… And no Delilah in sight…
Many little Foxes have had their tails set alight on the Field of Dreams by this Biblical legend in the making…
Many more to still be burnt…
Destroyer in Chief of backlines… Tearaway Personified…
More than a little resemblance to Kruger… Legend… in his heyday.
Marcell Samson Coetzee
Springbok Elect…
13 May 2012, 12:20 pm
Next 3 fixtures for the Sharks
Cheetahs (A)
Stormers (H)
Lions (A)
Out of these 3 the one, funny enough, that I am most certain the Sharks will win will be the Stormers game… There may not be a five pointer here but it will be a victory…
Cheetahs I was worried about 2 games ago but with Sias Ebersohn as fragile as humpty dumpty and Ratel now as probably effective as a caged cane rat I reckon the Dynamite have a good chance of getting bonus points… This game will be a cricket score but if the Sharks come out on the right side of the scoreline then its 5 points for the taking.
Lions, funnily enough, I am most worried about. Sharks will have come off hopefully two good wins and will be sitting pretty on the log. The Lions will be back and just playing for whatever pride is left in a once proud Union… Complacency will be the Dynamite’s biggest enemy and the Pussys will be guaranteed to set about like rabid dogs… A DANGER match if ever there was one.
Potentially 15 points on offer but I reckon the Black and White will emerge with 13. This translates to 49 log points which will give them an excellent shout after the Internationals.
They have a bye in the first week after the Intls which brings them to 53 points followed by two home games against the Bulls and Cheetahs which should at least net them 9 points…
62 will be the magic number and Sharks may even have a home playoff…
BRING
IT
ON
MOFOS!!!!
13 May 2012, 12:36 pm
Most Tackles Made
1. Matt Todd (Crusaders) 164
2. Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) 152
3. David Pocock (Force) 151
4. Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs) 138
5. Luke Jones (Rebels) 130
Most Runs
1. Nasi Manu (Highlanders) 141
2. Adam Thomson (Highlanders) 106
2. Nathan Sharpe (Force) 106
4. Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) 99
5. Hosea Gear (Highlanders) 97
I give you the WRECKING BALL
Through the mud and the beer, and the blood and the cheers, I’ve seen
Champions come and go
So if you got the guts mister, yeah if you’ve got the balls
If you think it’s your time, then step to the line, and bring on your
Wrecking ball
Bring on your wrecking ball
Bring on your wrecking ball
Come on and take your best shot, let me see what you’ve got
Bring on your wrecking ball
Marcell Coetzee
13 May 2012, 12:44 pm
And Keegan the Super 8 has pretty damn decent stats himself
Most Runs: 10th with 82
Most Run meters: 7th on 659
Try assists: 10th
Linebreak assists: 9th
Offloads: 3rd after SBW and Andre Taylor – 2 prime time backs
Fuckme, no other SA 8 comes close to being in the top 10 for any Category…
Keegan is THE best 8 in the Country if not the whole Comp. FULL STOP
13 May 2012, 12:49 pm
Sharks are in a great position with Loosies at the moment… The business end of the comp will see Daniel at 8, Deysel at 6 and Coetzee at 7… With Alberts coming on last 20 to 30 mins…
Farking Smashmouth RELENTLESS!
13 May 2012, 12:53 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-156: Add Beast and the German Battleship Bismarck to the mix and you have utter Terror on the other side…
A real farken potential Shark frenzy coming down the line for teams unfortunate enough to face the Farken Dynamite…
13 May 2012, 12:58 pm
I actually might have to start feeling sorry for opposition Teams in the next 3 games…
Slaughterhouse could be Kind with the kind of firepower coming into form for the Black and White…
A bunch of marauders in the pack, and speed at the back, with the Baby Faced Assassin directing this heavy metal orchestra, its going to be SCHWWWWEEEET!
13 May 2012, 12:59 pm
So HG, what do you say about HGs comments above?
13 May 2012, 13:02 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-159: If you think it’s your time, then step to the line, and bring on your Wrecking ball…
My team are bringing theirs…
The Super Log is going to be well and truly Wrecked after the next 3 games…
A Shark infested Wreck of a Log…
13 May 2012, 13:07 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-160:
hmmm well beware HG. Seen it all before, the chest beating and then disaster a week later.
But good luck man, didnt see the game but seems like it was an easy game for the sharks.
13 May 2012, 13:14 pm
If teams were companies and results were equities here are my recommendations:
Bulls Sell
Chiefs Hold
Brumbies SELL
Stormers Sell
Crusaders Hold
Sharks BUY
Landers Sell
Canes Buy
Reds Buy
Cheetahs Sell
Tahs Hold
Rebels Buy
Force Sell
Blues Junk
Lions Junk
13 May 2012, 13:18 pm
Potential Top 6 after the Wrecking
Crusaders
Sharks
Reds
Chiefs
Bulls
Canes/Stormers (And Canes through with more BPs)
13 May 2012, 13:25 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-162:
lol
13 May 2012, 17:40 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-155: Love to watch Keegan. One of my favourate players.totally underestimated by most people on the site . Especially the Stormers fans. Reminds me of Rob Louw. Marcel Coetzee,Stander and Kolisi the three “finds” for me tjis season.(that is in the loosies category”
13 May 2012, 17:57 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-162:
The Lazy Lions are so worthless it would probably cost money to get rid of them..
Burn the stadium down in a ‘mystery fire’ and walk away boys. It’s the best way for all.
15 May 2012, 13:19 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-134: Got to agree with you there that was highway robbery. Didn’t have much effect at the end of the day out a piss poor call, there was no way advantage was over.
15 May 2012, 13:22 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-140: I am a huge sharks supporter but that commetn is seriously one eyed, penalty advantage should play out for a long time, between raising his arm and Mvovo’s break only a few seconds lapsed. Definitely the wrong call.
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