Scintillating Sharks blow away Bulls
6 Jul 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on an excellent all-round performance from the Sharks that saw them get the bonus point in beating the Bulls 32-10 to keep their Super Rugby campaign alive.
If the Sharks can replicate the characteristics that earned them this most critical of victories – energy, purpose, physicality, accuracy of execution and killer instinct – they will be formidable opponents going forward. Their inconsistency has undermined their cause in recent matches, but tonight they were largely flawless in their approach and execution when they most needed to be.
The Bulls, laden with Springboks, are no soft touch, even away from home. But they were comprehensively outmuscled at the collisions and seldom allowed to get any momentum into their attacks. The Sharks would score four tries, but this win was built on their industry, accuracy and brutality on defence. With their key strike runners nullified, the Bulls’ potency was significantly diluted. Furthermore, the Sharks played above themselves at lineout time and their scrum fronted to further stifle the Bulls.
The Sharks starved them of possession and pinned them in their territory for the first 30 minutes of the contest, scoring two converted tries and two penalties to establish a 20-3 lead at the break, then struck the telling blow of the match three minutes into the second half. The Sharks’ first five pointer came after erosive phase play, Marcell Coetzee setting up Bismarck du Plessis for a try with a deft offload. Their second came after they punched up left then snapped right, JP Pietersen rounding off in the corner.
The Bulls were stunned and their response reflected this, loose, unstructured attacks marking the second quarter. Lwazi Mvovo scrambled well to deny Akona Ndungane a try in the 34th minute and the Bulls couldn’t convert subsequent pressure into the points they needed to stir belief going into the change rooms.
The Sharks then fractured the Bulls’ psyche further when Keegan Daniel alluded the cover defence after another wave of pressure had depleted the numbers in their defensive line.
But the Bulls’ resolve is well known and they rallied in search of what would have been one of the great comebacks. Zane Kirchner finished close to the corner with Morne Steyn converting. And while they enjoyed plenty of time on the ball in the period that followed, their play became increasingly desperate in the face of the Sharks’ immense tackle fight and rabid breakdown contest, the latter yielding numerous turnovers.
Having negotiated the best the Bulls could offer the Sharks set about capturing the five-point win they so needed to improve their chances of making the play-offs. The composure and intelligence they showed in achieving that goal was inspiring and their wild celebrations upon Louis Ludik touching down said everything about how much they had invested in achieving this crucial result.
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711 Comments
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7 Jul 2012, 09:34 am
@RL(RL)-549:
… and watch them go and beat the Bulls next week… You heard it first here… Their gift to you for final super 15 game… Kinda like a going away pressie…
7 Jul 2012, 09:34 am
The Fritzl Freak HeavenShame is the most faux of all faux rugby groupie wannabes.
@ 528
And that is the crux of your foolishness… You believe the conference “title” is the “Top”…
Wakey, wakey…
Its not.
The Sharks are the team thats come closest, the most – especially in an era when most SA teams just sha.t themselves with the prospect of meeting an ANZAC side…
So how stupid and faux must one be to castigate another for coveting coming close but not winning (not that PedigreeChum did anything of the sort) and then immediately going on to brag about coming the closest most often but not winning? What a fuckingarroganttwat fool who has his head so far up his ownass his can’t see the contradiction of his puerile post. And now the Sharks are the only team that doesn’t fear the ANZAC sides? How often have the Sharks beaten all NZ sides? You are an idiot and boastful dishonest braggart.
7 Jul 2012, 09:35 am
Frans Steyn, Doc DuP, Kanko, Fred the Shred and Bissy were immense last night.
The prodigal son returns and what a difference he makes. Not only being a tackler magnet, freeing up space for other players, but also team mates lift their game when playing with him…
Fark me, what a player. Glad to have him back.
Kanko made Spies look a bit below par last night… Good to have him back, now for some consistency and then the Bok 8 position is his for the taking…
Beyootiful!
7 Jul 2012, 09:36 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-544: LOL
7 Jul 2012, 09:38 am
ROBZIM@ 278.Gracious c omments.Thank you.
7 Jul 2012, 09:38 am
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-550: next week we travel to the bull pen and take on the cows +5 to the Lions and bye bye bullies from the playoffs. Watch that match for a dose of excitement.
7 Jul 2012, 09:39 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-545: My team is better than yours because the results say so
It is REALLY that simple.
7 Jul 2012, 09:40 am
@RL(RL)-556:
Now that is the spirit…
7 Jul 2012, 09:40 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-545:
Yes,but my point is that they were playing at home. I think there’s some kind of insecurity thing going on with a lot of sports teams. If they feel cosy with in familiar surroundings they perform well. If they feel lonely and afraid,i.e. playing away,they don’t.
Although I agree the Stormers have not exactly scored a lot of tries,they are more balanced mentally,and have worked out how to win,although often it’s not pretty.
The point made about ’4 tries’ is valid,but the laws of rugby and the log system being what it is,boring victory is preferable to glorious defeat.
The first test I ever watched was the All Blacks v Springboks 1960 at Newlands. I think the AB’s won 6-3. In those days they had a notoriously weak back line,and an amazing placekicker called Don Clarke. You were allowed to kick to touch from anywhere,and believe me they all did,yawn.
7 Jul 2012, 09:41 am
Sorry leave out ‘with’ in second line.
7 Jul 2012, 09:41 am
And Fred the Shred… Loving the fact that his contract with Toulon has started but the little Frenchie comes back to play for his team…
In his immortal words after a question posed to him when he was a Toulouse legend – “Toulousain, Le Sharks?”
“SHARKS FOREVER”
French or foreign connection at the Sharks… Legend… He continues a fine legacy… La Croix, Roumat, Lawton, Mexted, Brown, Townsend… and many more.
Bananaboy International.
The United Colours of Sharks
7 Jul 2012, 09:43 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-551: EXACTLY
7 Jul 2012, 09:43 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-7:
Interesting, indeed disgraceful, bit of history here is the way Van Rooyan tried to squelch Victor Matfield and dropped him for the House of Pain game in NZ where the AB’s won in the last move in the game – thanks to another botched John Smit throw-in. That was one win we should have had, having scored 3 tries to their one – but crucial to this was the absence of Matfield dropped by the corrupt Van Rooyan.
I don’t think anybody on earth can deny the Springboks do not suffer from its adminstrators and politicians more than any other team; other democracies wouldn’t put up with the stuff that goes on all the time in SA.
7 Jul 2012, 09:44 am
@RL(RL)-539:
that is factually incorrect. Blues, Highlanders, Reds, Hurricanes, and force got no points in their games against the stormers. they lost to the crusaders, and are yet to play the rebels. to date only the Tahs have got a losing bonus point from the stormers. and none have scored 4 tries against us.
what is true is that the SA sides have managed to get losing bonus points against the stormers. but that’s because of our generous nature in trying to help our brothers do better
. and of course only the sharks have beaten us so far. if we beat the cheetahs we’ll have won 7/8 against SA teams. and if we beat the rebels, we’ll have won 7/8 against the overseas teams.
all with a less talented squad than the bulls or sharks have. well according to heyneke’s selections anyway.
Anyone willing to bet against Allister taking over the bok job from heyneke one day?
7 Jul 2012, 09:47 am
@papashanga(papashanga)-559: I am not talking Stormers – apparently the “Top”…
I am talking my team… The Mighty Dynamite.
The SHARKS.
And they were very very good last night…
Not a bad away team – 2 wins on tour and one unlucky loss attests to that. However the game against the Canes was aberration.
Nevertheless, I reckon many Sharks players at the moment have gained a lot of confidence from being the mainstays in the Bok setup…
Especially someone like wrecking ball Coetsee…
It aint gonna be pretty for teams that have to face the Sharks from now ’til the final…
7 Jul 2012, 09:49 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-564:
At least AC would select on merit and not on who he had once coached. That is the difference. HM has proved to us that he is biased and only sees blue similar to a blogger who can’t see fault in the once mighty Blue…
7 Jul 2012, 09:50 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-557: Let me add in a “so far” and a “but the tournament actual is not over yet”… There… Correct.
However the Stormers have “won” the Conference “title” and have achieved what they wanted to do… So, season over?
I mean, apparently they are the “Top”…. BWAAAAAAHAAAAHAHAAA
7 Jul 2012, 09:52 am
I feel an upset on the cards today, the Waratahs to beat the Brumbies.
7 Jul 2012, 09:53 am
Examples of HM bias…
Niknaks man above Lambie
Spies ahead of Kanko
Olivier ahead of JdJ/Ebersohn
Basson ahead of Mvovo
Potgieter ahead of anyone else playing Super Rugby
I can go on… Point made…
7 Jul 2012, 09:53 am
@papashanga(papashanga)-559:
the only reason you get 4 try bonus points is because the aussies needed to make the game looser, faster and more attractive to fans of other codes in Aus so they could compete.
there is no valid rugby reason why a team should get points because they scored more tries. it is marketing and nothing more. fact a team can get beaten 65-35 and get a point is just stupid.
I know of no other sport in the world that gives you extra points. a win in simply a win. there is no degree of victory, except for bragging rights. it was introduced purely for marketing purposes and you’ve all fallen for it and now believe winning with 4 tries less consistently is more important than simply winning consistently.
maybe you’ll re-think that when the stormers top the log.
7 Jul 2012, 09:54 am
@Archiball Bearasole(Archibal Bearasshole)-568:
7 Jul 2012, 09:56 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-564: impressive indeed – I hope you guys pick up +5 today and nail position 1. I would love to see the the Stormers face the Saders in an away final, at Newlands in front of all the CapeSader fans.
7 Jul 2012, 09:56 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-567: Cut out all the dynamite, and it boils down to one question (a simple yes or no answer please – no essays):
You would prefer it if the Sharks were in the position the Stormers are currently in: Yes or No.
7 Jul 2012, 09:57 am
@Archiball Bearasole(Archibal Bearasshole)-568: I’ve tipped the Tahs on Bru (and I am having a 100% weekend thus far – so let’s hope so)
7 Jul 2012, 09:58 am
@RL(RL)-572:
Glad you are punting us for a final mate… AND you are not a Stormer… Treason to some I guess…
7 Jul 2012, 09:59 am
@RL(RL)-556:
It can be done. The Stormers have done it 2 years in a row.
@RL(RL)-572:
The Stormers playing an away final at Newlands? That’s not very funny.
7 Jul 2012, 10:00 am
the sharks, what a team.
they made me proud last night.
welcome back frans steyn, its clear you lift the sharks players massively.
the sharks will beat any other team in the compo playing like they did last night, like they did when they handed the stormers an *** whupping.
yes, you know its true.
7 Jul 2012, 10:00 am
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-576:
I would take that AWAY final any day of the week mate…
7 Jul 2012, 10:01 am
Where is this HG multinic exposay he been blabbing about
Waiting …
7 Jul 2012, 10:01 am
Outtahere…
Beautiful win last night makes my weekend complete already…
And the general unhappiness here at the ominous Sharks shadow about to loom over the playoffs is just a little bonus… A Cherry.
Now for the anticlimactic rest of the games after the Hardest Game in Rugby, to quote great Vic, was played last night…
Go Lions
Go Cheetahs
May you play to your potential and victory will be a mere formality…
Life is good.
Now for some breakfast and beer.
7 Jul 2012, 10:02 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-565:
mostly you post biased hyperbolic drivel, but as a bok fan first and stormers fan second, i was very pleased to see how the sharks boks played. and marcel will be a bok legend. awesome. like crusaders, the sharks are peaking at the right time, but probably too late to finish high enough on the log to actually challenge for the title, which is a shame. at least you’ll go into the rugby championship savouring good wins against the stormers and bulls at home.
and that’s as good as the sharks season will get, which is not even a real consolation prize is it
that loss to the brumbies probably the defining difference at the end of the season. well that and any of the other 5 losses so far. wait is that right, the sharks have lost 6 times this year? you’d never think that when reading your posts.
7 Jul 2012, 10:03 am
@rangerman(rangerman)-577:
Yes well done with the team. Rugby is game of one game at a time. You have to be on top of your game the whole season. Ifs and buts really count for nothing at the end of the day…
7 Jul 2012, 10:03 am
Great how this comp could work out, the Sharks haven’t played the Crusaders this year and they could be up against them in two weeks time and POP, the Stormers haven’t played the Chiefs and they could be up against them in the final.
The Bulls have the advantage next week having to play after the Sharks, do we win with a bonus point, no lets rather play the Brumbies.
7 Jul 2012, 10:08 am
@Archiball Bearasole(Archibal Bearasshole)-583:
stormers not playing brumbies or chiefs. could end up with a semi against one and a final against the other, although not something i’d put money on.
notwithstanding my post above… I hope they pick up 10 points in their last 2 games and give themselves a chance to top the log. with travel being such a factor, they are SA’s only chance of winning the comp this year and I don’t believe they’ll do it playing away from home.
7 Jul 2012, 10:09 am
Would be great for sharks to finish 6th, and go to canberra and get their revenge for the daylight robbery they suffered earlier in the season.
7 Jul 2012, 10:20 am
the stormers job just got a whole lot tougher…
Cape Town – Due to a bad dose of the flu, Craig Joubert has withdrawn from refereeing the Cheetahs v Stormers match in Bloemfontein.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
Marius Jonker will replace Joubert as referee.
The assistant referees remain Sindile Mayende and Reuben Rossouw, while Gerrie Coetzee will fulfil the TMO duties.
7 Jul 2012, 10:24 am
@ufo(ufo)-586: no need to worry, Jonker is pro Bull not pro Cheetah. Now stop with the stress and go and get the +5.
7 Jul 2012, 10:26 am
MJ the worst ref in Super Rugby. He is a staunch Blue Bull… Very worried… He owes them after teh demolition last night…
7 Jul 2012, 10:31 am
Coetsee is v promising but I start kolisi over him –
Ultimate Bok team that would give ABS a klap
1. Beast 2. Bismarck 3. Coenie 4. Elstadt 5. Etsebeth 6. Kolisi 7. Alberts 8. Vermeulen
16. Cilliers 17. D Fourie 18. Kruger 19. Coetzee
9. Hougaard 10. Goosen 11. Habana/jdv 12. Frans 13. De Jong 14. JP 15. Aplon
7 Jul 2012, 10:34 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-585: What are you smoking, the Sharks beat the Brumbies this year.
7 Jul 2012, 10:35 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-508:
True true. He is average on defense. But that’s more getting used to the 13 channel (after playing wing all his life).
7 Jul 2012, 10:40 am
1.Steenkamp 2.Bismark 3.Oosthizen 4.Bakkies 5.Etsebeth 6.Brussow. 7.Alberts. 8.Vermuelen 9 Hougaard 10 Goosen 11.Habana 12 Steyn 13 De Villiers 14. Pietersen 15. Lambie
7 Jul 2012, 10:41 am
@cab(cab)-589: Hougaard and De Jongh not good enough. Coenie is no tighthead, No real lineout jumper there and by leaving out the best player in SA – Coetzee, you are not seriously believing anybody will take you serious?
Spot on about Goosen though. Lambie at 15!
7 Jul 2012, 10:44 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-548:
In a PLAYOFF game rugby is ALL about winning.
In the Super Rugby leugue stages it’s about trying to pick up the odd bonus point as well.
Look, I’m praying the Stormers get 10 points from their next 2 games so they can end top, but they have really put themselves under so much pressure to do so by denying their obvious attacking problems.
The Stormers are still SA’s best chance for the title.
7 Jul 2012, 10:45 am
@Spiesisworthless1(Spiesisworthless1)-592: @cab(cab)-589: Why do you guys have the urge to change the bok front row? They were dominant last night, and were better than England, who never has a bad front row. Hougaard on the other hand was one of the weakest players against England, has no vision, and substandard pass, but i see you both have him in there. Ehh, no!
7 Jul 2012, 10:46 am
@coma(coma)-593: Hougaard is good enough, he must just concentrate on his natural game and not let Meyer turn him into a cheap Fdp imitation. He was great in the first 20 of the 2nd test playing his natural game- just needs more consistency.
7 Jul 2012, 10:47 am
@cab(cab)-589:
JDV will be at 13. Don’t forget who the captain is.
7 Jul 2012, 10:47 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-570:
Some good points.
The bonus points is also harsh on a side like the Sharks who’s home games are played in muggy humid conditions.
Same with the NZL teams who play in the wet.
The 4 try bonus point should scrapped (espically if you lose). The within 7 points bonus makes sense though.
7 Jul 2012, 10:47 am
@CenturionShark (aka LondonShark)(londonshark)-594:
Do we know that… Two games to go… Let’s wait and see what happens…
Just good to see that teams go out to win, as winning is what sport is about. Like a chess game who can out think and outplay their opponent. Like someone said winning 65 – 35 and a four try bonus point given to the losing side makes no sense…
7 Jul 2012, 10:48 am
And yes I rate Coetzee, he’ll be on the bench defo and perhaps starting but not against Pocock and McCaw.
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