Sharks need to stifle charging Chiefs

Sharks need to stifle charging Chiefs

1 Aug 2012

JON CARDINELLI analyses the final and notes that the Chiefs and Sharks share attacking strengths, but not the same defensive weaknesses.

Why bother with an analysis? The Chiefs have been one of the most physical teams in the tournament, while the Sharks’ ability to produce an intense forward showing will be compromised by their taxing travelling schedule. The Sharks will be at a significant disadvantage this Saturday. Some might even call the final a mis-match.

What the stats and trends can show us is that the challenge facing the Sharks is greater than most expect. Forget the travel fatigue and the fact that this game will be staged in Hamilton – the Chiefs’ attack will be tough to repel and their defence difficult to breach.

According to ruckingoodstats.com, the Sharks are the highest-ranked team in terms of keeping the ball in play over the course of a match. They average 7.4 offloads (the second-best rate in the tournament) and break 16.9 tackles (seventh-best in the tournament) per game. These stats support the statement that they are a very dangerous attacking unit.

But then so too are the Chiefs. The men from Hamilton may not boast the possession stats of the Sharks, but when they do get their hands on the ball, they make their opportunities count.

They are the top-ranked team in terms of offloads (9.1 per match), and their robust ball carriers manage to break 20.9 tackles per match (third-best in the tournament). They are also particularly effective in the opposition’s 22, breaking 5.5 tackles per match. They are the best team in the competition in terms of linebreaks (3.3 per match), and flyhalf Aaron Cruden runs at the defence more than any other pivot.

While there may be similarities in the attacking strengths of these two finalists, their defensive records are vastly different.

The Sharks miss 20.7 tackles per match, making them the worst team in the tournament for tackles missed. It will interest the Chiefs to note that the Sharks miss 5.5 tackles on average in their own 22, and as previously mentioned, the Chiefs are a side that enjoys tackle-busting success in the red zone. The Sharks missed 23 tackles last week in the semi-final against the Stormers, so it’s not as if the total average miss-rate is an unfair reflection of their current defensive form.

By comparison, the Chiefs are one of the best defensive units in the comp. Their line speed has allowed them to stifle opponents and force them into errors. The stats substantiate this claim, as the Chiefs have effected the most charge downs and intercepts.

But the Chiefs are not without weakness. They have made more errors than any other team when kicking from hand. They have also conceded the most penalties overall, as well as the most penalties at the ruck and maul.

While the Sharks’ high tempo game has proved successful this season, they cannot hope to beat the Chiefs at their own game. The more prudent course of action is to attempt to slow the Chiefs down.

The Chiefs lineout hasn’t been that flash and the stats confirm that they are ranked third for quick throw-ins. This suggests that they enjoy playing the game at a lively pace and are not well equipped to combat a good opposition lineout.

The Sharks also have the most disciplined scrum in the tournament, and it is here where they will fancy themselves against the Chiefs. They should also attempt to draw the Chiefs into a battle at close quarters, as the Chiefs don’t have a good record when it comes to maintaining their discipline at the breakdowns and mauls (see above).

The Sharks are the more disciplined side, but will they need to improve on their breakdown performance against the Stormers. John Plumtree’s men may have won the battle at the collisions in that match, but they still conceded 10 penalties at the ruck and maul.

If they can sharpen up in that area, then they will stand a good chance of stifling the Chiefs.

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323 Comments

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  • 51.wait for it, wait for it...: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:17 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-50:
    that laaitie’s gonna get a moerse lot of tail :grin:

  • 52.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:20 am

    @wait for it, wait for it…-49:

    :lol:

  • 53.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:24 am

    Cheers all chat later…

  • 54.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:25 am

    @wait for it, wait for it…-51: According to New Zealand media, the “house full” signs have already gone up at Hamilton Stadium ahead of Saturday’s first-ever Super Rugby Final at the ground.
    Chiefs fans from all over the country, starved of success in this competition, have turned up in their droves to support the home side as they host the Sharks in their first final on home ground. 25 100 tickets have apparently been sold in just a day, with hopeful punters queueing up at the stadium gates for up to six hours yesterday.

    Tickets went on sale at 8am yesterday, but some fans were there waiting as early as 2am just to make sure they could be part of the historic occasion

  • 55.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:27 am

    @rangerman-22:

    p.s. JPP at present has no equal, kiwi aussie or otherwise. not always the case, but the case NOW righto LOL

  • 56.Wing Commander Raymond: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:29 am

    the city of Hamilton has even arranged a ticker tape parade through the city to celebrate the Chiefs victory in the final.

  • 57.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:30 am

    @wait for it, wait for it…-51:

    He be having it right now.

    The Olympic Village is a fuckshow.

    Athens they ran out of condoms after 3 days.

  • 58.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:31 am

    A few weeks back Ranger told us Hougarrd was the best 9 in the SH by a long way, now JPP after the Sharks put 2 or 3 running games of rugby together (out of 15 odd games) has no equal but this hasn’t always been the case, at what other time has JPP’s name been thrown around as one of the best?

  • 59.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:32 am

    @Wing Commander Raymond-56:

    forward thinking

  • 60.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:36 am

    @Wing Commander Raymond-56:

    I believe so.

    All five of the towns photocopiers have been raided for material and the good people of Hamilton are getting busy with their scissors as we speak.

    Will they sell the game out though?

    That’s the question.

    25,000 is a lot of seats to fill.

    Its the first time they’ve had the final in Pongoland now for how many years?

  • 61.wait for it, wait for it...: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:36 am

    @Transformation-54:
    ja, read the herald article earlier.
    its just 25000 but good for them.
    gooi die gees manne…

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-57:

    would you like a backstroke or a butterfly, baby..?..

  • 62.wait for it, wait for it...: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:38 am

    @Wing Commander Raymond-56:
    hehe
    dont they do that EVERY four years for the ab’s?

  • 63.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:39 am

    @Wing Commander Raymond-56: What’s black, red and yellow and goes “beep, beep, beep”?

    The Chiefs’ victory bus reversing back into the garage.

  • 64.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:39 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-60:

    Saturday will be our 11th title, how many do you guys have?

  • 65.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:41 am

    @Transformation-54:

    ahhh great news.

    that will be the forst full house of the year then?

    @wait for it, wait for it…-61:

    ja the swimmmers are popular because they can hold their breath for so long.

  • 66.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:43 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-57: yep, saw a report that that delivered 150 000 condoms @ the Olympic village last saturday and wondered if tiger woods was there.. :D

  • 67.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:43 am

    @NZINCHINA-64:

    you will look like a bigger twat than usual if your boys lose.

  • 68.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:46 am

    The answer you’re looking for is 3, we have won 10. Fortunately large crowds do not equate to trophies won otherwise SA would have as many as NZ does.

  • 69.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:48 am

    @Transformation-66:

    150, 000 you say?

    that’s more than the yoof league executive gets through in a week.

  • 70.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:51 am

    i read somewhere that after saturday’s final all major rugby trophies in the world will be held by kiwi coaches, RWC, Tri-Nations, Heineken Cup, Six Nations, Sevens and then Super Rugby.

    they conviniently didn’t count the JWC

  • 71.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:53 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-69: the yoof league ones have a pamphlet stapled on “Economic Freedon in OUr Lifetime” through them :roll:

  • 72.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:55 am

    @Transformation-71:

    :lol:

    it’s to give their heads a breathing hole.

  • 73.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 09:56 am

    thank you, the recent comments panel is back to where we like it :D

    now fix the posting to quickly story

  • 74.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:02 am

    They’re calling it the media moment of the Games, and why not… This dad is fantastic.

    http://deadspin.com/5930604/this-bbc-interview-with-chad-le-closs-father-is-the-media-moment-of-the-games-so-far

  • 75.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:02 am

    Nikita’s glory is restored.

  • 76.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:06 am

    @>^..^< katman-74:

    He’s like a cross between Hugh Bladen and and Loius Armstrong.

  • 77.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:08 am

    i see, jake and skop finally agree on something, both are predicting a guppy loss :-(

  • 78.KWAGGA ROBERTSE: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:13 am

    @NZINCHINA-68: and how manny legit WC do you faknuts have?

  • 79.clownface: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:20 am

    who are the match officials and ref in this game?

  • 80.clownface: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:22 am

    Referee: Steve Walsh
    Assistant referee: Craig Joubert, Keith Brown
    Television match official: Garratt Williamson

  • 81.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:23 am

    @clownface-79: Chiefs v The Sharks
    Saturday, 4 August, 2012
    Kick-off: 09:35 (SA time)
    Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand
    Referee: Steve Walsh (Aus)
    Assistant Referees: Craig Joubert (SA), Keith Brown (NZ)
    TMO: Garratt Williamson

  • 82.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:24 am

    @Transformation-77:

    Cunteye predicted a sharks loss last week.

    He’s like a pikey fortune teller.

    With smaller t.its.

  • 83.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:26 am

    @KWAGGA ROBERTSE-78:

    we aren’t talking about WC’s, how many home test series victories of yours against NZ pre 92 are legit?

  • 84.clownface: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:27 am

    cheers transformation…is walsh good for SA? wasnt he a kiwi converted to australia boy?

  • 85.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:28 am

    @clownface-80: three kiwis and an uncle tom, pretty clear who is supposed to win…

  • 86.clownface: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:31 am

    yeah pretty obvious the sharks are gonna get done at the breakdown calls….just saying.

  • 87.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:33 am

    @NZINCHINA-83:

    where will you go if the sharks win?

    or will you go back to being greentea?

    or noodleboy?

  • 88.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:34 am

    @clownface-86: Sharks have the virtual Bok pack and the incumbent France 10, so they have more than a chance but they’ll have to do it the hard way

  • 89.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:36 am

    “3 kiwis and 1 uncle tom”

    :lol:

  • 90.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:39 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-89: :mrgreen: biggles comes out blazing!

    black pantie would be proud…

  • 91.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:41 am

    @Big Hit-85: the kiwis LURV “joubers” they call him “jub jub” for short :D

  • 92.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:46 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-87:

    If the Sharks win they will have earned it anybody but the cavemen so im already happy

  • 93.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:48 am

    @Transformation-90:

    I see Julius is a hit in London.

    SwartBroek is probably reading Henry’s autobiography and squirming.

    Guffaw bellywobble.

  • 94.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:48 am

    @NZINCHINA-92: who are the “cavemen”?

  • 95.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:49 am

    @NZINCHINA-92:

    I’m sure you’ll find something to cry about.

    who are the cavemen?

  • 96.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:51 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-95:

    no i’ll be happy that the best team won something you might have a look at for the future

  • 97.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:53 am

    @NZINCHINA-96:

    nope.

    you’ll be here on friday night bleating about something.

    we’ve read this book before.

  • 98.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 10:56 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-97:

    yip and you’ll still be here thinking you’re a bit more important than you really are

  • 99.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 11:00 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-93: yoh, i initially thought you said “I see Julius is a s.hit in London.”

    :shock:

    unnecessary!

  • 100.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Aug 2012, 11:01 am

    @NZINCHINA-98:

    I dunno.

    I might go and spend my friday nights on silver fern making sarky comments on how sad the locals are.

    See what fishies I can catch whilst pestering the babysitter for a handski.

    tell us more about the cavemen.

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