Sharks have blueprint to beat Stormers
23 Jul 2012
RYAN VREDE writes the Sharks are one of the few sides that exhibit the capacity to ask telling questions of the Stormers.
The magnitude of the occasion and the odds the Sharks overcame undoubtedly made their victory over the Reds at the weekend the best of their campaign. However, their path to the quarter-final was marked by some excellent showings, none more so than the 25-20 defeat of the Stormers at Kings Park in May.
The scoreline suggests a close encounter, but the Sharks were completely dominant for much of it, with the most notable feature of the performance the sustained accuracy in execution of key aspects of their game plan. Few sides have been able to trouble the Stormers defensively in the manner the Sharks did, and only the Rebels have also scored three tries against the Cape side in their league-phase matches.
The potency of their attack then will be a source of inspiration ahead of Saturday’s semi-final. Their launch platform was established through an industrious and physical gainline onslaught. Willem Alberts was prominent and effective with ball in hand, named Man of the Match for his unfailing ability to get over the advantage line. Their charge in this regard was amplified by the efforts of Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira and Marcell Coetzee, among others.
Of particular interest will be to see whether Alberts is restored to the back row after the Sharks were forced to deploy him at lock in Brisbane. He excelled in the position in the aforementioned match and the one many respected rugby men, including Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, feel he is best suited to. The Sharks, however, may be reluctant to tamper with their back row after the trio’s showing against the Reds. But with the Stormers demanding a more direct approach than the one they implemented against the Reds, Alberts may well be named at blindside flank, with either Coetzee or Ryan Kankowski dropping to the bench.
The Sharks’ excellence in the Durban showdown extended to their defensive resolve and, most pertinently, their discipline in that facet of play. The Stormers have engineered their ascent to the semi-finals primarily through pressure-creating phase play, with their goal-kickers then building their lead through penalties from the infringements they’ve forced. The Sharks cut them off at the source and indeed also managed to restrict them in the first meeting at Newlands, won 15-12 by the Stormers thanks to a 78th minute Peter Grant penalty.
Taxing travel and their almighty physical effort against the Reds means fatigue will be the Sharks’ biggest obstacle in their bid to replicate their success against the Stormers. There is no question they have the personnel and tactical intelligence. Whether they can rouse themselves to recapture the elements that facilitated their previous victory remains to be seen.
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125 Comments
23 Jul 2012, 06:23 am
not like the reds were that good a side guys. stormers gonna ask much more questions and their defence is going to be HUGE! I cant see how sharks are going to win this one if they had fransie i think they would have the edge though
23 Jul 2012, 06:38 am
Stormers have the blueprint to beat Sharks
23 Jul 2012, 06:47 am
Big gain line battle. Particularly interesting to see if the Stormers can disrupt the Sharks offload game.
23 Jul 2012, 07:14 am
“Hee excelled in the position in the aforementioned match and the one many respected rugby men, including Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer, feel he is best suited to”
Vrede you high on the wee dwarfs white powder?
23 Jul 2012, 07:16 am
here is a article where Coetzee is again flapping off with a very big mouth, what will he say if his team loses???
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has declared his team ready to advance to the Final for a second time in three years.
The The Super Rugby Final is destined to be a New Zealand-South Africa showdown.
The Sharks will travel to Cape Town for an all-South African Super Rugby semifinal against the Stormers, after they eliminated the Reds in their qualifier in Brisbane at the weekend.
The other semifinal – between the New Zealand Conference winners, the Chiefs, and the seven-time champion Crusaders – will take place in Hamilton on Friday.
The Stormers, the 2011 runners-up and beaten semifinalists last year, qualified for the semifinals when they finished top of the global standings.
And Coetzee is adamant his team will again reach the Final.
“Get ready for another BIG weekend coming up,” Coetzee said on his Twitter page.
“Can’t wait to see a packed Newlands again!
“The Stormers are READY!! (& we like Shark-sushi!),” he added.
The Durban-based Sharks reached the semifinals for the first time since 2008, when they beat the Reds 30-17.
This was only the 11th away victory out of 62 knock-out matches in the history of Super Rugby.
To illustrate how little there is to pick between the four teams that will contest the semifinals, one need to look only at the results in their derbies this year.
The Stormers beat the Sharks by 15-12 in Cape Town in Round Two and then lost by 20-25 in Durban in Round 14.
The Chiefs beat the Crusaders by 24-19 in Christchurch in Round Three and recently lost in Hamilton by 28-21 in Round 17.
Both the Crusaders and Sharks established their superiority with explosive starts at the weekend – the Crusaders racing to a 16-0 lead before the Bulls were on the board and the Sharks were up 17-0 before the Reds scored.
23 Jul 2012, 07:28 am
The Stormers wont be bossed at the breakdown like the Reds were.
Etsebeth, Bekker, Vermuelen, Elstadt, Kolisi.
Fk me, that is strong. Compare that to the locks and backrow of the Reds.
There is no comparison.
23 Jul 2012, 07:58 am
@John Galt-6: Yeh, but that frontrow of the Sharks and the balance of their loose trio is awesome it’s quite an even lineup. It may come down to the strength of each teams replacements.
23 Jul 2012, 08:00 am
@John Galt-6:
Dont write off the sharks to quickly
Thats a hellava scrum the sharks have
and a decent back line
23 Jul 2012, 08:07 am
Well done Sharkies.
Bad luck Bulls.
All the best for Stormers & Sharks this weekend.
23 Jul 2012, 08:09 am
@Blitzbok-1: Kak man. The only questions the Stormers are going to ask are “What the **** just happened?” and “Where is my mommy?” Their attack couldn’t threaten a three year old with polio.
23 Jul 2012, 08:22 am
The Stormers are already celebrating. Don’t forget, they won the conference cup for the second time…bla bla bla. Out of the Stormers forwards I can only see one being a threat and that is Kolisi. Even if Vermeulen plays, he will be heavy under cooked as he haven’t played in how long now. I cant see Plum shifting Kankowski to the bench as he has brought a real edge to our line outs, and there is no way you can leave Coetzee out of the team as he does the work of 3 players on the field. The biggest challenge for the Sharks will be a mental one. They will have to keep their calm, because the Stormers main threat is Grant that will kick anything over he can get his hands on. Funniest thing is, the Stormers used to be the best with running rugby in SA and used to criticise the Bulls for their reliance on penalties, how the tables have turned.
23 Jul 2012, 08:26 am
Simple strategy to beat Stormers…
In the words of Heyneke Meyer: “Execution above Innovation”.
And it is keep the goddamned ball.
Run with the goddamned ball right up the gut of the Stormers 10/12 channel… Make it clear that this is where the Sharks are going to target and tohell with whatever attack “triggers” that the Stormers defensive guru might pick up.
And keep running there with a few offloads to keep the momentum going.
The Key here will be distribution of McLeod…and if he gets it right:
No team on the planet will be able to stop a combined onslaught of Alberts, Coetzee, Beast, Bismarck, Kanko, JPP (from blindside) and even Sykes relentlessly queuing up to have a go right at Grant and Donkey…
No garryowens… just ball in hand, Ian Mac style narrow channel blitz…
This has always been the best way for the Sharks historically to beat greater Bulls teams than this Stormers side can ever hope to be, and lets face it, the Stormers are playing nothing more than a dour, unexciting version of a gameplan of the great Bulls side of 2007 – 2010.
When those kicks come playing for the territorial matrix, Sharks must just keep the ball and roll inch by inch up field… No kick backs other than the odd chippie behind the defensive line for the blitz Sharks backs to exploit
I suspect Deysel will be on the bench this time round. The attrition will be like a casualty ward from Bastogne but this is what it will take. The scrums will also be key and the Sharks have got to be nasty.
If the official is a Kiwi or Aussie then the Sharks halfway there… If Saffa then the Black and White will be handicapped before the starting whistle goes.
Other than that, Sharks by five, with replacements making a difference.
23 Jul 2012, 08:27 am
@KingRiaan-11: We don’t even know if Vermeulen is playing. After Fourie’s performance from last week, I’d definitely think about starting with him.
23 Jul 2012, 08:32 am
@RefuGSpot-13: I’m also almost sure Fourie will start. Can’t see them gamble with starting a player that had no game time recently even if he is ready to play
23 Jul 2012, 08:33 am
@Heavens Game-12: The ref is both a Kiwi and an Aussie: Steve Walsh.
23 Jul 2012, 08:35 am
I am pretty sure the Sharks team will only change if injury forces it to – why mess with perfection? Keep Alberts at 4 and the awesome loose trio intact. I just hope Jordaan recovers in time because he is awesome.
23 Jul 2012, 08:37 am
@kaksioek-15: Thanks be to Goodness Gracious… You make me happy.
23 Jul 2012, 08:37 am
@Staal-9:
More Staal
Wat gaan aan met Spies?
Hy speel darem baie swak.
23 Jul 2012, 08:38 am
Vrede you muppit, your prediction of Alberts returning to the back row and Kanko or Coetzee dropping to the bench is nothing more than you day-dreaming out loud. You’d love to see Sykes in for one of those two dynamos who have been so good over the last month, but I assure you the Stormers will face the same pack that tore the Reds a new one over the weekend! Look forward to it. With Kanko, Daniels and Bresler, our lineout is working well. Beast, Bismark, Albert and Coetzee give us phenomenal ball carrying ability. Our front row will scrum yours a few inches shorter by the end of Saturday. Travel fatigue will be a factor, but I rate it as less of a negative than the Stormers missing 5 of their 6 best loosies. Sharks to take it.
23 Jul 2012, 08:41 am
@sonofgun-19: Plus, they forget one thing, we have Bismarck!
23 Jul 2012, 08:45 am
@Heavens Game-17: Good Morning old chap,
For me it is simple, Sharks have to maintian intensity, hunger and desire to win this thing, they also have to make sure they dont allow the Stormers to try bullying them as they have the last 2 years, accept the last encounter between the 2.
I have no doubt the Stormers are gonna come out being very agro, and they will come out with niggles as they did before, secret is for the likes of Jannie and Bissy to keep the dissapline.
And If mental prep is right and they believe they can win and yes no kicking the ball away all the time, just maybe we might beable to do it
It is imperative that our bench makes a big difference when they come onto the field
23 Jul 2012, 08:46 am
@kaksioek-16: Agree about not changing… However I suspect the bench may change (Deysel)… and possibly Sykes on for Bresler. If Jordaan is injured then there might be a shuffle at 12 (Lambie or Bossie) and Whitehead at 13. I doubt Plum will want to mess with the back three in terms of their combined form at the moment…. We might even have a situation where Super Pat plays off the bench… Helluvathing that, but great impact options
23 Jul 2012, 08:47 am
@KingRiaan-20: correct! The one-man-army. The only person who could lose this game for the Sharks is Meyer the-worst-centre-in-super-rugby Bosman if Jordaan is not fit. Bismark should do the right thing and hit him hard and late in practice this week so that he’s concussed and Plum is not tempted to play him. I’d rather see Lambie at 12 (much as I don’t like messing the lad around too much) than ever see Meyer play for the Sharks again.
23 Jul 2012, 08:51 am
@sharks_lover-21: The presence of Walsh will make a huge difference in that regard… A few Saffa refs have been at least permissive with the Stormers and their niggle and at worst turning a blind eye to their blatant bulldust.
I just thank goodness that especially Kaplan or Joubert are not in charge of this one.
23 Jul 2012, 08:53 am
@sonofgun-23: hahahaha how can you rubbish “lem” bosman like that?
23 Jul 2012, 08:53 am
Fact is, with Alberts at lock the Sharks have addressed one of the few weakneses in their team – which is the mediocrity of their regular lock pairing.
Alberts at lock gives them the physicality in the second row to turn their pack into an allround threat.
The one other weakness is their midfield (corrected in the long term by Frans Steyn’s arrival). But I reckon the current midfield is more than adequate to do the job on Saturday, even in Steyn’s absence.
23 Jul 2012, 08:55 am
@sonofgun-23: “turnstile” tackled like a trojan, twice stopping ioane & shipperley dead in their tracks with well-timed spot tackles. if jordaan is out i would love to see a duel of “turnstile” vs jdv!
23 Jul 2012, 08:55 am
Will be interesting to see what Sharks do with the lineouts… Plum is a bit of a lineout tactician and I suspect we shall see many short ones… So, few mauls from the Sharks, unless we get a few sevens style mauls – rather boom boom ruck jobbies and offloads…
23 Jul 2012, 08:56 am
On another note, is it true that Siya Kolisi is a Muslim?
23 Jul 2012, 08:56 am
Fisrtly: Cobgrats to the sharks! Well done.
But the way people are writing off the stormers will play right into their hands! The sharks keep referring to the loss at Kingspark of 25 -20… a game where it could easily be the stormers were they to score in the last 5 minutes… They were without big names like Vermeulen, Kolisi, Pietersen, Habana etc… So it will be a very different team to face them at NEWLANDS!
Thats right. Is everybody forgetting that no 1 plays no 6 here? I have no problems with walsh as well..
Simple gameplan for stormers: Give Jannie a lekke snotklap early on and Bissy will be fuming oor sy boetie se oor wat sing and will give away enough penalties for grant to kick. Also Meyer turnstile bosman let a few through at newlands before…. The record is still 3/4 in the last two years for the stormers..
23 Jul 2012, 08:57 am
@sonofgun-23: I am just afraid that if Lambie is fit, that Plum will want to pick Lambie at fullback. Ludick has been superb of late and do not deserve to be dropped every time for Lambie. Lambie is a flyhalf end of story. But yes, if Jordaan is out, then pick Lambie at 12 with Whitehead (who I think is brilliant) at 13.
23 Jul 2012, 08:59 am
@Tacitus-29: bullshit…
23 Jul 2012, 09:00 am
@Tacitus-29: OK Tac I have been waiting for a bull to show his face to answer the following: Are you supporting the Saffa cause this wekeend? ie the stormers?
I mean everyone wanted the best SA team to progress.. and obviously the best chance should be a Newlands final? Or is there another excuse when the best SA cause becomes the Stormers?
Surely all bulls will be “behind” the stormers this wekend So our Saffas can have a SA final?
Dis mos hoe dit werk of hoe?
23 Jul 2012, 09:00 am
@Tacitus-29: Hehehe… Careful, Stormer fatwa might be coming your way
23 Jul 2012, 09:02 am
@Transformation-32:
Thanks for clarifying.
23 Jul 2012, 09:03 am
@Provvas-30: it’s funny hey? If you analyse the typical Stormer response it is: “everyone is writing off the Stormers.”
You guys seem really upset that the focus has shifted from your “top” team. You seem indignant that the Sharks are getting some attention when your “top” team should be featuring in all the headlines.
Sure, the Sharks may have stolen some of the Stormers’ thunder with their recent superb wins over the Reds, Cheetahs, Bulls and Stormers but that doesn’t make them favourites for Saturday.
Drop the inferiority complex about your team being overshadowed and you may enjoy this week and the game more.
23 Jul 2012, 09:03 am
@Provvas-33:
There is zero benefit to SA if the Stormers get a home final.
But there is a lot of benefit if the team that forms the backbone of the Bok team are in top form. Bodes well for the Bok cause.
23 Jul 2012, 09:04 am
Are you supporting the Saffa cause this wekeend? ie the stormers?
Haha.
23 Jul 2012, 09:05 am
Stormers backline is one of the easiest to defend against from normal attacking play, as JDV takes the crashball, then the ball get shifted to De Jongh who will step the first defender yet won’t pass, so all the defending team has to do is have a sweeper behind the first line of defence to take De Jongh down then. Their wings also only come into play in broken play as the ball seldom gets to them in normal play. The problem is from broken play where Aplon and Habana can be very dangerous, although I am sure Mvovo and JPP will be ready for them, plus Ludick seldom misses a tackle.
23 Jul 2012, 09:05 am
@wooden spoon-38: I guess us Sharks aint saffa’s
23 Jul 2012, 09:06 am
Thats right. Is everybody forgetting that no 1 plays no 6 here?
Lest anyone forget that the Stormers finished “top”.
Haha.
23 Jul 2012, 09:08 am
Let’s just suppose hypothetically here. Suppose the Sharks do manage to beat the Stormers. How much “value” will the conference “title” hold then?
23 Jul 2012, 09:09 am
I mean c’mon people! Why aren’t you all singing the praises of our marvellous “top” team?!
23 Jul 2012, 09:10 am
@wooden spoon-36: Perfect, keep you blinkers on and ride that wave of media hype.. You seem to leave out a certain game at Cocal cola park there? Anyways… no inferiority from my side, just stating my opinion!
@Tacitus-37: Pink Bull Shi tt!! if the Bulls were playing the Shakrs at Loftus or even the lions playing the Reds for that matter everyone on the bloggs and in the media tells us lets get behind SA… Except if it menas get behind the stormers!! Pi ss off mate!!
Did you consider the fact that with Bekker, Etzebeth, Burger, Kolisi, Vermeulen, they just might make up the backbone of your so called bok cause in the near future? Would that not be the best reason for the boks’ cause??
23 Jul 2012, 09:11 am
Congrats to the Sharks for a really great win this past weekend. It was a awesome display of total rugby. Will go down as one of their greatest victories ever , certainly one of their best away victories.
Gonna be a great game this weekend and as a Stormers I am nervous to be honest , the sharks on the back of that display is most likely the form team of the comp at the moment , looks like they peaking just about in time.
What counts against them is the traveling factor , even if they do win this weekend to travel back to NZ now for a final would be one step too far for them I would fear.
I am however 100% behind my stormers team , we are not the log leaders for nothing and also we are getting some really needed players for the semi’s. Add into that the home ground advantage and the rest that we had I feel we should go into this game as slight favourites. I just hope Duane is fit , if he is with Etzebeth there it will be a huge battle of the forwards this coming weekend with arguably the 2 form packs in the comp def in South Africa !!
Good luck to both teams (well maybe just a little more to the Stormers lol). May it be a semi that do us all proud from a rugby perspective.
23 Jul 2012, 09:13 am
@sparticus-45: Very well said, and it shouldnt be any other way, get behind your team mate, as i will be behind mine, after that?? will support the team left standing
23 Jul 2012, 09:14 am
The best possible outcome in terms of style of rugby, mental outlook on the game and just plain Rugby Aesthetics would be to have a final between historically the best two damn teams never to have won Super Rugby… That is the Sharks vs Chiefs…
New winner…
New broom sweeps clean…
And begone forever this intellectually stultifying and lazy outlook of playing “finals” rugby to win a comp…
Should Sharks win, forever it will be disproven that Saffa S15 sides cant win without “kick and chase” “finals” rugby where the ref is relied on to win the game.
This will give Heyneke playing options going forward and will be the best thing for SA rugger going forward…
Should Stormers win by grace of a ref gimme after dumbfuck equivalent of Soccer’s 11 men behind the ball then its back to the stoneage with a poor copy of tactics 4 years ago already…
Evolution to the next level for SH and indeed Bok Rugby or Evolution to a Dead-end where ultimate extinction due to no adaptation is the only ultimate end result…
Sharks are the former… Stormers are the latter.
Dynamite Total Rugby vs Backwards Dumfck Skop skiet en Donner vkmaarvoort…
I know my choice… its as clear as Black and White
23 Jul 2012, 09:15 am
@Provvas-44:
My advice is yoga.
That should take care of your anger issues.
23 Jul 2012, 09:16 am
@KingRiaan-39: The ball does get to our wings, but because Fleck has tarnished the players with his own passing skills they continually pass behind the next playing. Each players has to stop running to catch the ball meaning they are on the back foot all the time.
23 Jul 2012, 09:17 am
@sharks_lover-40: Dont come accross as stupid here… you know I was talking about all the Sa suporters who do not have a team in the semis anymore… The bulls, the cheetahs, the Lions….
But let me spell it out for you: If the bulls end number one and play the sharks: Should I as a stormer supporter back the bulls or the sharks for the sake of the SA team with the best chance to win the comp?? The sharks you say hey?? That will need to travel again should they beat the bulls at Loftus?? No sir…
Please do support your team this weekend.. nothing wrong with that! It will be one mighty game to watch!!
23 Jul 2012, 09:17 am
After all is said, this weekend’s match is going to be a cracker! Good luck to both teams, Although I do hope my beloved Sharks win
Let’s just hope both teams pitch up with a good attitude and make this match the good sporting spectacle we all want to see.
23 Jul 2012, 09:18 am
There is going to be much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Ah well. It should be a great match. May the best team win.
23 Jul 2012, 09:19 am
Viva Chiefs vs Sharks… Viva!
Phansi Stormersaders vs Saders… Phansi!
Viva Phambili Viva
Viva amaSharks!
Phansi isitabani phansi
Phansi amaBreezers!
23 Jul 2012, 09:20 am
The Stormers and Sharks should make up 95% of the Bok squad anyhow.
23 Jul 2012, 09:22 am
@Tacitus-37: Reverting to it is better for South Africa that the Stormers lose is the ultimate, ‘I would rather chew my arm off, than give the Stormers any credit whatsoever’ move imaginable.
Fact remains, if fit, the Stormers would probably have had Burger, De Villiers, Habana Vermeulen, Etsebeth and Bekker in the Boks’ starting XV, leaving the Sharks with Dup x 2, Beast, Steyn and Pietersen. In other words, 6 to 5, so basically what is your point? Get off it mate, sour grapes for another season or so, and maybe the Bullies will recover, no need to express your poor attitude around here that long…
23 Jul 2012, 09:23 am
@Heavens Game-47: So the Stormers this year won 14 / 16 games due to the ref? well that settles it then.. by that kind of stat the Stormers would not neet to pitch.. walsh will take if for them….
Grow up… The stormers have the best defense in the comp and it is great to watch them smack back attackers and dominate other teams through shear force!! i will be the first to admit, they do need to sharpen their attacking play.. if they get that right they will be unstoppable!!
23 Jul 2012, 09:23 am
Sportingbet currently has Stormers with a -3 handicap, offering 6/4 odds on a Sharks win.
I think it would be worthwhile putting money on the Sharks at those odds…will the Sharks supporters back up their team?
23 Jul 2012, 09:24 am
Lambie
JP
Hougaard
De Villiers
Steyn
Goosen/Lambie/Morne Steyn
Ruan Pienaar
Kankowski
Alberts
Coetsee
Juandre
Eben
Sharks front row.
Hmmm. I count 2 Stormers in that team…
23 Jul 2012, 09:25 am
@Tacitus-58:
What, no Spies?
23 Jul 2012, 09:26 am
The Sharks are still up against it… Stormers at home are very difficult to beat… Stormers favourites by a mile… Sharks happy to be underdogs though… If the Stormers win I hope they win the Comp… Of course I want my Sharks to win it all though…
23 Jul 2012, 09:26 am
@Tacitus-58: Then is probably won’t be the Stormers’ fault if that team loses… happy day…
23 Jul 2012, 09:27 am
I am actuall yvery glad to have seen the sharks beat the reds.. cause me thinks that Saders team is one daunting task at the moment.. They simply showed the bulls how to play in a knock out game. For the life of me I cannot ynderstand the kicking in the last 10 minutes when you are 1- – 15 points behind… Sad really..
So ja I play the sharks anyday before I face the saders…
23 Jul 2012, 09:28 am
@Tacitus-58: I would have Bekkker ahead of Juandre. Bekker is getting back to his best form and Juandre was **** on Saturday. Missed many tackles. Quite embarassing for a Bok lock to miss tackles.
23 Jul 2012, 09:29 am
Congrats to Sharks, depending on your attitude I believe you have the team to do it, saying that, the attitude of Strompies was also very good so far, but like the Bulls I think their scrums are going to be their downfall.
To the Bulls you were disapointing, it seems your hunger to win was not there, blantant flaws in game plan and in players form were ignored the whole year. We absorb a lot of critisism from fellow bloggers with our blind support to you, in return we would expect you to give us the same, this year I can say, you did not give us what we deserve, your best.
23 Jul 2012, 09:29 am
this HG doos has become the sharks equivelllent of G10, an irritating childish same old same old plonker!
……..
Oh ja……….faaking smiley
23 Jul 2012, 09:30 am
@Tacitus-58: So if hougard play k@k for the season he moves to centre?
And if Morne is k@k for the season you bracket him with Goosen?
And all the Sudden a light Kanko is better than Vermeulen? Bet your coach HM love a smaller player above a bigger one..
Juandre above bekker? You really have lost the plot Tac!
23 Jul 2012, 09:34 am
@capebull-64: I commend you capebull.. we probably all feel the same way.. I sometimes wonder if these players realise how much flak we take as supporters for our teams?
We wear our hearts on our sleeves and back them everytime, and then you get a game like saturday when it looked like every bull wanted to be subbed and sit on the bench… not on!1
dewald Potgieter played his heart out for me.. the other Potgieter was shown up for the useless player he is. Spies did nothing to warrant bok selection.
Neither did Meisiekind, Steyn, or even my favourite bulls player Hougaard…. sad..
23 Jul 2012, 09:36 am
@THE MAULER-60: you see my optimism in the sharks was vindicated
i told you sharks by plenty
23 Jul 2012, 09:38 am
Ok. So the general consensus round here is the Sharks will wipe the floor with the Stormers (and if they don’t, they always have the travel excuse to fall back on).
23 Jul 2012, 09:40 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-69:
BOOM!
23 Jul 2012, 09:41 am
@Provvas-50: Other than a home game for the final, which is no doubt an advantage and I concede that…. why oh why are the Stormers “the SA team with the best chance to win the comp”…
To help you, lets break this down…
1. The most glaring difference between the two teams was that the Stormers D was more superior throughout the comp… However there is no doubt the Sharks D is now fixed… Evidence – see second half of the game away to the Reds. That D will put the Stormers to shame… (I suspect since the arrival of Frans and the experience of the Sharks players at the Bok camps and England series they have learnt a few tricks)
2. Another glaring difference is the ability of the Sharks to score tries. And the form of JPP – the best 14 in World Rugby at the moment. The Stormers have not fixed this – the way they play the game precludes them from doing this.
3. Another difference is the superiority of Stormers at lineout time… The emergence of Kanko as a roving lineout threat goes some way to coming close to parity… Liebenburg and Fourie can also be inconsistent at throw ins.
4. The first time Stormers played the Sharks this year was when Alberts was decidedly off form, Fred was playing SH, if I remember correctly and also before the emergence of a decent centre pairing which the Sharks now have.
5. Peter Grant and Joe Peterson’s kicking success is 80%+…. Newsflash, Freddy the Frenchman is 80% + too… And Lambie is also an option.
What we see here is a team that has evolved and improved throughout the season vs a team that has stagnated at best and ever so imperceptibly gone backwards…
Sharks vs Stormers
Its Evolution vs Dead End…
And dead end isnt the “the SA team with the best chance to win the comp”… Yes homeground is a huge advantage but a hostile or even neutral ref can nullify this just for a start…
23 Jul 2012, 09:41 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-69: consensus by whom??
BY the way?? it matters not who says what, time will tell and may the best team win…
23 Jul 2012, 09:43 am
There’s a new thread from Keo, more suited to this discussion.
23 Jul 2012, 09:44 am
@Tacitus-58: That team doesn’t exist. I’ll go one better – the entire Bulls side – not a Stormer in there anywhere. And your point is?
23 Jul 2012, 09:45 am
Anybody :=> If the Sharks win i take it they will then have to go back to austalasia for the final?
If Stormers win do they get a home final?
23 Jul 2012, 09:45 am
@Tacitus-58: Wow, that’s a k@k team. Are you HM?
23 Jul 2012, 09:45 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-69: yes, and the Stormer have no excuses if they lose plus the conference “title” is meaningless
BOOM
23 Jul 2012, 09:47 am
trans – If the Sharks win i take it they will then have to go back to austalasia for the final?
If Stormers win do they get a home final?
23 Jul 2012, 09:47 am
@race of tan-78: @race of tan-75: yes on both counts…sharks finished 6th so they’ll have to go to either hamilton of christchurch, stormers finished first guaranteeing them a home final if they win their semi.
23 Jul 2012, 09:50 am
@WP Till I Die-70: We have no chance I’m afraid. I am donating my semi-final tickets to my Sharks supporting IT midget, Noel, as there is obviously no point in attending the game (if you are a Stormer fan of course).
I will grant Noel the right to ^5 with his bruvvas on Castle Lawns, jitterbug down Newlands walk with his boerie roll and raise his little arms in a powerful air punch as the all conquering Sharks smash the decidedly average and undeserving Stormers. Yes, all hope is lost. Why? Because the Sharks fans say so, because Keo says so, because all the scribes in Australia/NZ and the greater SA say so…..
I’m going to weep in the corner for a minute.
23 Jul 2012, 09:50 am
@Heavens Game-71: On paper and with what you say , yes the Sharks should win Saturday.
Fact is , that Strompies have won a lot of games , they should have lost .. that makes them dangerous, they have won many ugly games, their game plan is ugly , but their attitude is 150%, for me attitude is more inportant than ability and skill
23 Jul 2012, 09:51 am
Transie great call lol! How confident are you for this weekend??
23 Jul 2012, 09:53 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-80:
Air punching is a stormers patent.
So is fist pumping, but that’s another story.
23 Jul 2012, 09:54 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-80:
Indeed. The only reason I’ll be going is the corporate hospitality, free drinks and food.
I won’t be watching the game, I mean what is the point? Sharks have this fully wrapped up.
They only need to pitch up. Stormers have no chance.
BOOM!
23 Jul 2012, 09:54 am
Salute to King Hash and King Ernie.
An Aussie chokes and the Poms implode.
It doesn’t get better than that.
23 Jul 2012, 09:55 am
trans – The Sharkies do this every year, start very poor and then kick into gear, this year they managed to creep into the play offs.
I feel their style of rugby is what the Boks should go for, but i fear HM will stick to Bull print.
Saders are amazing beat the bulls at their own game.
Can the Sharkies break the mighty Stormers defense? What a game this will be!!!
23 Jul 2012, 09:57 am
@WP Till I Die-84:
Jissus.
you are such a legend.
23 Jul 2012, 09:59 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-87:
The one and only.
BOOM!
23 Jul 2012, 09:59 am
@Sasuke-63:
Juandre has been taking tackling tips from Britney Spies.
23 Jul 2012, 10:00 am
I mean chop.
23 Jul 2012, 10:01 am
@capebull-81: Yes… granted… But I saw no lack of attitude from the Sharks against the Reds…
Indeed, I have seen no lack of attitude from the Sharks for the last 3 games, which lets not forget, have been knockout (or final) games for the Sharks in their own right…
Yes, the Sharks had Homeground adv for the previous two, but they also had to score 4 tries to get a BP win to even get through…
Now, a one point win is enough.
23 Jul 2012, 10:02 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-90:
BOOM!
23 Jul 2012, 10:05 am
Heavens Game – Good point. The Sharkies showed some bottle going to the Reds home ground and knocking the stuffing out of them. The Sharkies are playing their style of rugby and playing it well. They also seemed to have learnt from past losses early this season and have rectified them . Kanko is in some sort of revival and playing bladdy well. I hope they get some good rest and are atleast fit for Saturday.
As long as the sharkies play their game again and don’t play into the hands of the stormers, we will have a humb dinger on our hands man!!!
23 Jul 2012, 10:05 am
Crusaders now favorites with TAB to win the comp, after they were 3rd favorites last week. Stormers second favs, the chiefs 3rd. sharks not rated a hope in…. well…..
23 Jul 2012, 10:14 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-85: The cricket……shots of the Pom fans, cricketing icons and respected blue bloods in the crowd – priceless
23 Jul 2012, 10:15 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-83: BOOM.
23 Jul 2012, 10:15 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-85: hear hear…i enjoyed every minute of yesterday’s match…artherton and nassir surreptitiously laying into the pom bowlers as vern got movement out of that “flat” pitch
23 Jul 2012, 10:16 am
@race of tan-93: Straight shooting… A humdinger it truly will be…
But for the love of good rugby, may the most enterprising team go through to meet the Chiefs in the final…
And tohell with this continual “finals” dumbfuck unimaginative rugby bulldust for Super Rugby.
23 Jul 2012, 10:16 am
@Transformation-77: BOOM is the new BANG
23 Jul 2012, 10:17 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-95:
They were broken.
I loved the cheer that went up when Anderson went passed Hashim’s outside edge for the first time in the 290′s.
Not even an ocean of Pimms could save ‘em.
23 Jul 2012, 10:20 am
@Transformation-97:
Indeed.
Morkel, Steyn and Philanderer all got more juice in that final session than the Poms got in the entire match.
Another emotional scarring for the poms.
They are going to be traumatised.
I mean Pooper traumatised.
23 Jul 2012, 10:21 am
@race of tan-86: yes the IRANZ influence at the Sharks has seem them add an extra offloading dimension no SA team has ever had, with players running off the shoulder and into space – even BEAST was looking to offload
in the 1st 20min charl mcleod produced some of the best rugby i’ve ever seen him play, his service was zippy and pin-point – no two steps before the pass!
a rampamt sharks team is a dangerous one
23 Jul 2012, 10:29 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-99: i love Marc Jacobs’ “BANG” fragrance…
but BOOM is the shiznit
23 Jul 2012, 10:30 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-100: You have to admit my ‘eye of the tiger glaring’ at Dale Steyn was the spark that ignited it all
And once Nasser starts whinging and raising his little voice, you know it’s red rover red rover, the fight is but over
23 Jul 2012, 10:31 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-101:
@ “pooper traumz”
23 Jul 2012, 10:32 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-104:
Indeeed.
You tiger’s eye must be a fearsome thing.
23 Jul 2012, 10:37 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-106: It is
Ask Dale. This test has turned out wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than I expected, in fact – even in my best case scenarios, this was not part of the script.
It has however lived up to all the hype and big talk (it’s just the wrong team who be having it at the moment…lurv it)
23 Jul 2012, 10:39 am
Speaking of Pooper traumatised…
Bumble seemed to be taken off the commentating team mid-afternoon.
I think he had to be sedated.
Beefy was strangely subdued too.
23 Jul 2012, 10:42 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-107:
I cant believe a sheila who loves cricket so much.
I think I’m in love.
If you turn out to be a bloke this s.hit is going to make the Crying Game look like a bedtime story.
23 Jul 2012, 10:45 am
Pathetic.
23 Jul 2012, 10:50 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-108: Bumble was more concerned about his “fantasy team” than what was happening in front of him, shane warne was killing himself with laughter!
23 Jul 2012, 10:53 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-107:
Tell him what my bb status pic is.
23 Jul 2012, 10:55 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-109: No, that’s not a gun in my elegantly cut jean pants…..
Must be honest though – Test cricket is my thang. I enjoy the bubblegum versions, but the 5 day battle is my one true love.
@Dawn-110: ^5 Sister. When are we going to Canalla Walk for a lunch?
23 Jul 2012, 10:56 am
@Dawn-112: It is HASHIM THE GREAT
Nice pic of him actually.
23 Jul 2012, 10:59 am
@Dawn-112:
how does she know???
@Transformation-111:
poor Bumble.
He’s there for aother people to laugh at and he’s the only one who isn’t in on the joke.
23 Jul 2012, 12:01 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-113:
So you didn’t change your nic.
Your nic thief was quiet abussive last night especially to our Northern Cape friend.
23 Jul 2012, 12:12 pm
@Jeraldjay-116: I saw that. Bloody morons. Best of all, I saw ONE fake me, fighting with ANOTHER fake me…Alice in Wonderland se moer
I will have to inform Nama1 when I see him online.
23 Jul 2012, 12:18 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-117:
Yesterday was a great day in SA sport, so I thought I could post my well wishes to all concerned, but then ran into all these juvenile imposters.
23 Jul 2012, 12:22 pm
@Jeraldjay-118: Yesterday was indeed a CELEBRATION of Saffa success
I don’t think there was a Saffa anywhere in the world who didn’t fall asleep smiling.
Now if Bopara and Bell can just fall quickly, I will be smiling again.
(It does seem as though this nic stealing is an old thing, as Transformation was telling me about it earlier. Really pathetic!)
23 Jul 2012, 17:40 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-115:
What did you make of AB’s performance with the gloves?
5 catches in the first innings. Not bad?
23 Jul 2012, 21:33 pm
Stormers have won 13/16 local derbies in the last 2 Super 15 seasons,give these guys the credit they deserve……….14/17 come Saturday
23 Jul 2012, 22:19 pm
Willie
What did you make of his straightforward drop?
In other circumstances that might have been very costly indeed no?
23 Jul 2012, 22:33 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-122:
I didn’t watch as much cricket as I would’ve liked – been out of town mostly.
In going with AB, they went with experience – they knew what they were getting. Plus they could go with another batter. And JP got the nod – particularly as he can turn his arm a bit and give the other bowlers a rest.
They won’t tinker with a winning combo now imo.
23 Jul 2012, 23:09 pm
Probably not.
Two things must be remembered.
England is a very tricky place to keep wicket.
AB has a very dodgy back.
23 Jul 2012, 23:20 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-124:
I don’t see AB as a long term solution as keeper. They will ease Tsolokile(sic) in at some stage. Maybe if we go 2 up in this series.
AB wants to be the no.1 batter in the world – no matter what he says about being the no. 1 wicketkeeper – that is just a smokescreen. He wants the no.4 batting slot once Jakes calls it a day. That’s the way I see it going anyway.
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