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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12 May 2012, 17:32 pm
Force by 15
12 May 2012, 17:33 pm
Ai gerber.
12 May 2012, 17:34 pm
Come on Force.
12 May 2012, 17:35 pm
a guy whose first name is Phoenix ???
12 May 2012, 17:36 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-52:
I must think of the best result for my team – this determine my support
12 May 2012, 17:38 pm
Salesi Manu
biggest gut in Super rugby
12 May 2012, 17:41 pm
Watsup guns.
Better now?
12 May 2012, 17:42 pm
Force is strong…come on!
12 May 2012, 17:42 pm
17-6 to the gold fish
12 May 2012, 17:42 pm
Dames en here – kan ek julle voorstel aan die nuwe Springbok losskakel: Patrick Lambie.
12 May 2012, 17:44 pm
@Dwarslat(Dwarslat)-60: Is jy seker?
12 May 2012, 17:44 pm
Patrick Lambie – closest thing we have to Dan Carter
12 May 2012, 17:49 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-62:
Why, is he also a Hobbit?
12 May 2012, 17:49 pm
62 @ greatest13gerber
Imagine a team made up of Bulls and Sharks. Sure to give you wet dreams ne
12 May 2012, 17:50 pm
Joel Stransky thinks that he is endearing himself to foreign viewers by always backing the opposing side, but he is really just being a chop.
12 May 2012, 17:52 pm
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-64: Lucky that will never happen
Sharks have Jannie, Bissy, JP and Lambie that will be in a Bok squad and maybe Alberts if he gets his form back
I am very glad the Kanko debate has subsided, even Plum knows that Kanko is average
12 May 2012, 17:53 pm
@David(David)-63:
lol..total disgrace to professional athletes everywhere.
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-64:
I would renouce my SA citizenship if that ever happen
12 May 2012, 17:55 pm
@JL1(JL1)-66:
Kanko should have being a centre
Spies should have stay on wing or gone to centre
12 May 2012, 17:55 pm
time watch game
come on Force! many no names but backing them to continue weekend of upsets
12 May 2012, 17:58 pm
get the bonus points sharks!
just made the fire,after the game the steak,boerewors and toasted cheese,tomato and onion with biltong added hits the braai.
12 May 2012, 18:00 pm
@David(David)-31:
7 July.
12 May 2012, 18:00 pm
oh feck,lambie off maybe concussed.freddie on.nice try!
12 May 2012, 18:01 pm
Ja. We all know the Sharks need the bonus.
So why the fark did Owen Nkumane ask Plumtree if the Sharks are going to kick more in the second half?
Jeez, Plumtree was a bit stumped.
Owen wants to see more kicking every game….
12 May 2012, 18:04 pm
bonus point try!
12 May 2012, 18:05 pm
Bonus point Sharks!
12 May 2012, 18:05 pm
Yebo!! Bonus!! Point!!
12 May 2012, 18:05 pm
Joel making apologies for Force like a doos …
12 May 2012, 18:06 pm
Tryfest gerber!
12 May 2012, 18:07 pm
the beast is laying down the hurtin tacklesbig time.
12 May 2012, 18:08 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-77:
That”s his normal style. Always commentating with the overseas audience in mind.
Newslflash: You’re not supposed to be a neutral commentator. You don’t see Phil Kearns or Grant Nisbett making apologies for the Bulls or Sharks when we’re playing there.
Idiot.
12 May 2012, 18:09 pm
Now that’s a race for 2 tickets! Saders 37, Sharks 36, Landers 35, Canes 34 all with even number of games to play. Interesting times ahead.
12 May 2012, 18:10 pm
It’s raining tries!
12 May 2012, 18:10 pm
mvovo magic !
12 May 2012, 18:10 pm
Dear Dawn,
30+ minimum acquired!
12 May 2012, 18:12 pm
Joel thinks even the locals admire his neutrality. He’s wrong. There’s a difference between being neutral and questioning any decision that goes against the visiting team. He’s trying too hard.
12 May 2012, 18:14 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-85:
He’s a plonker.
12 May 2012, 18:14 pm
Come on the Force.
12 May 2012, 18:15 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-85: No, even non-locals don’t. Give me reasonably biased homie commentator any day.
12 May 2012, 18:15 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-86: Glad I’m not the only one thinking it. We need some decent commentators.
12 May 2012, 18:16 pm
Toldja Guns
12 May 2012, 18:19 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-86:
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-89:
Did you guys also call him an “idiot” or “plonker” when he won us the world cup as player.
12 May 2012, 18:20 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-91: Funnily enough, no, I didn’t. But I’ll happily call you one. Being able to score three points doesn’t make you a good commentator.
12 May 2012, 18:20 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-91:
No.
What’s your point?
12 May 2012, 18:21 pm
tac is a bulls stroker ignore him
joel started off at ntvl…
12 May 2012, 18:22 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-92:
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-93:
My point is give him some respect. A commentator does not have to be a cheerleader.
12 May 2012, 18:24 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-95: Jammer, oom, I didn’t realize how much Joel means to you
12 May 2012, 18:26 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-91: Some of those guys overstay their welcome. I like Joel and think he’s a good commentator, but don’t really enjoy the likes of Monty and Matfield hanging around trying to impose themselves on us as pundits.
12 May 2012, 18:29 pm
That could be a penalty try, really.
12 May 2012, 18:30 pm
try time!
12 May 2012, 18:31 pm
Oh Joel, you’re so neutral. In a cool, edgy way.
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