Sharks tops in Newlands streetfight

Sharks tops in Newlands streetfight

28 Jul 2012

JON CARDINELLI writes the Sharks were tactically and physically superior in their epic 26-19 semi-final win over the Stormers on Saturday.

The result means that the Sharks will battle the Chiefs for the Super Rugby title next Saturday.

The Sharks will journey to Australasia for the decider, but on the back of a spirited showing in the semi-final, you wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Keegan Daniel lifting that coveted trophy.

They’ve have shown themselves to be the side for the big occasion in 2012, winning the crunch league match against the Bulls in Durban and then smashing the Reds in Brisbane in the qualifying play-off.

They were deserved winners in Saturday’s semi-final, and again it was the way they finished that proved decisive to the outcome. They absorbed a tremendous amount of pressure, picked their moment, and then Daniel made the turnover that killed the contest.

That is not to say that there was anything wrong with the way they started. There was always a danger that the Sharks would run out of puff in the final quarter, and so they needed to put the Stormers under pressure from the outset.

There were some moments when it seemed as if the Stormers would get on top. Lock Eben Etzebeth bulldozed Bismarck du Plessis early in the piece, and for a few seconds the Springbok hooker looked a punch-drunk boxer, teetering and swaying, and many would have anticipated a plunge to the proverbial canvas.

But like his team, Du Plessis not only recovered from the early knock, but soldiered on powerfully. The backlash was quite a thing to behold.

Those who had come to Newlands expecting a clash of styles must have been bitterly disappointed. The Sharks played clinical, smart rugby.

Just as their physicality at the collisions and power at the scrums were highlights, their halfbacks used that possession expertly to force the Stormers into costly errors.

Charl McLeod was on target with his box kicks, and Freddie Michalak produced a virtuoso performance from the flyhalf position. The Stormers battled to deal with the aerial bombardment, dropping a number of high balls or in some cases completely misjudging the garrowen.

A late change to the Sharks’ line-up saw Riaan Viljoen starting at fullback, and his cannon of a boot was expertly utilised. The Sharks had troubled the Stormers for much of the first half, but it was Viljoen’s mortar bomb that allowed the visitors to strike a telling blow. Viljoen put the ball up and Louis Ludik beat Stormers fullback Joe Pietersen in the air, and evaded the cover defence to score.

Michalak kicked the conversion to stretch the Sharks’ lead to 10 points. Peter Grant managed to narrow the deficit right before half-time to leave his side trailing by seven, but the Stormers would have been bitterly disappointed with that first-half return. They had enjoyed numerous visits to the opposition’s 22, but shocking handling and decision making had let the Sharks off the hook.

Some may call it a choke, but the Stormers never got themselves into a position to win this match. They failed to take their opportunities early in the game, and then were forced to play catch-up rugby in the second half.

The Sharks changed tack in the third quarter, keeping it close and striving to build on their seven-point lead.

After sending two drop-goal attempts wide, Michalak nailed a penalty. Grant answered with one at the other end, but it was the Sharks who had the better of territory during this period and made the most of another key opportunity, with JP Pietersen scoring on the hour.

At 23-9 the game looked to be over, but as anticipated, the Sharks started to feel the negative effects of travel. The Stormers took advantage, with Gio Aplon crossing the tryline in the 67th minute.

Grant goaled a further penalty to make it a four-point ball game, but it was here that the Sharks showed their defensive mettle. For the Stormers, it was a period where they showcased their attacking impotence, and lack of composure.

The Stormers were well placed in the opposition 22 but their attack was too lateral. And the Sharks never panicked.

They maintained their discipline on defence, and again, when the big opportunity arrived, they took it.

This time it was the captain who made the big play: a breakdown steal that won the game. The Sharks counter-rucked and Daniel latched onto the ball, wrenching it away and hacking it into the crowd.


898 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 18 » Show All

  • 1.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 15:34 pm

    Dragons. End of.

  • 2.Big Jack: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 15:36 pm

    Hoping for a Shark win today. They deserve it. Feels weird not to support my team in a play-off game.

  • 3.Big Jack: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 15:38 pm

    Surprised to see so few bloggers posting on the rugby!

  • 4.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 15:39 pm

    Go Lions.

  • 5.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 15:41 pm

    If any team deserves to win it is the Stormers. The most consistent of all teams and a final at Newlands would be the cherry on the cake…

    Go Stormers….. Will be back after the game…

  • 6.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 15:50 pm

    Sharksssssssss

  • 7.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:00 pm

    2: I would love to know your reasoning because there is no way in hell that the team who finishes 6th deserves anything.

    On a seperate note: new lands is filling up quite nicely and there are quite a few sharks supporters. One hour before kick off and the teams are out warming up.

  • 8.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:15 pm

    The better team will lose today.

  • 9.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:23 pm

    S H A R K S ssssssssssssssdds

  • 10.AssassinWP: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:28 pm

    STORMERS rushing to the Stadium

  • 11.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:35 pm

    Good luck to all concerned and may the best team win…as long as it’s the Stormers…

  • 12.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:38 pm

    Outta here, enjoy the game please.

  • 13.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:41 pm

    They must start already!

  • 14.viewer: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:42 pm

    All GayStormer h0m0s can eat ****

  • 15.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:44 pm

    Linkin Park tickets for me and my gf sorted.
    Sharks to cause sh it to get real for the stormers today.
    Feckin
    Black
    and
    White
    Dynamite
    BOOM!
    NAAIS

  • 16.Nanashi: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:44 pm

    Smart move by the Sharks taking Tosman out just before the game. Will mess with the Stormers heads, they would have targeted him. I think they planned this.

    However: GO STORMERS!!!

  • 17.viewer: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:45 pm

    That’s right. You heard it

  • 18.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:48 pm

    20 minutes before kick off and the announcer is driving the crowd wild here. Sharks look a bit intimidated in the north corner. Stormers look relaxe and are doing some line out drills. And a plane flies overhead with a Maverick banner!!!! Oh heaven!!!!

    One thing I have to concede. Sharks have sexy women supporting them. Mmmmm, maybe for today I will support the sharks..

  • 19.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:48 pm

    STORMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 20.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:50 pm

    To my Shark blogger friends
    Sorry but this is the end of the road for your Sharkies :)

  • 21.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:50 pm

    @18 GoldenBoy……lol

  • 22.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:52 pm

    Storm Saam…

  • 23.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:54 pm

    Huzzit Coach, nay ! We will just use 4 wheel drive.

  • 24.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:55 pm

    @Golden Boy-18:
    Even that is not a good enough reason to support the Sharks :)

  • 25.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:56 pm

    @Treehugger-23:
    Hi there buetiful Good luck for your team (sort of )
    may the best team win
    Stormers

  • 26.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:59 pm

    Black and white are NAAIS?

    Shouldn’t that be NAAIE

  • 27.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 16:59 pm

    http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/63436/1/super-rugby—play-offs-:-stormers-vs-natal-sharks-live-stream-online.html

  • 28.Guns: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:00 pm

    May the best team win! Hell of a task for sharks after the travel and big performance against the Reds but if the hunger is there anything is possible, JDV to rally the troops after a good week off. Go Sharks!!!

  • 29.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:00 pm

    @Coach….a true gent as always, but I still want the Sharks to win, but I do hope you enjoy the game.

  • 30.RL: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:01 pm

    Go Guppies

    Not because I like you … but because you a the lesser of the two evils. :razz:

  • 31.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:02 pm

    Go Stormers. Best shot at winning this competition for RSA.

  • 32.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:04 pm

    Skinstaad :( :( :( :( :(

  • 33.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:05 pm

    (Sorry! Couldn’t resist!)

  • 34.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:05 pm

    @Treehugger-29:
    To be honest I cant call this
    Sharks playing very well
    Stormers rested at Newlands
    Very hard to call

  • 35.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:06 pm

    @Treehugger-29:
    Thanks it should be a great game either way

  • 36.viewer: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:06 pm

    Holy $hit, the tattoed Steve Walsh is the ref

  • 37.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:06 pm

    See kiwis, that’s how you fill a stadium :)

  • 38.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:11 pm

    Or HAAIE

  • 39.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:11 pm

    Sormers watching Alberts closely

  • 40.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:12 pm

    etsebeth CHOWS bismark!

  • 41.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:12 pm

    Bismark in La la land
    May have to come off

  • 42.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:13 pm

    WOW!

  • 43.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:13 pm

    Estabeth is really outstanding

  • 44.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:14 pm

    Walsh will win it for the Stormers
    As predicted,,,,

  • 45.whatever: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:14 pm

    Beaaauuufil Etsebeth………….boom :)

  • 46.viewer: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:15 pm

    Eben! Gave Bismarck a ticket to disneyland

  • 47.Nils: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:15 pm

    @Atreides-37: Indeed. Only such small matter as playing during sunny daytime. ;)

  • 48.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:16 pm

    Every line out of Sharks the same, Alberts crash ball
    Very predictable

  • 49.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:17 pm

    This is trouble :(

  • 50.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 17:19 pm

    Viljoen aint any better than Bosman, also a donkey.

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