Sharks set for slaughter
3 Aug 2012
MARK KEOHANE writes the Chiefs will win in Hamilton on Saturday and win easily.
If they don’t it will be the biggest final’s implosion in the history of the competition.
I haven’t read a South African who isn’t backing the Sharks to take the title. It is written in the stars say some. It is meant to be say others. Forget the travel, it isn’t a factor. The Sharks are operating on adrenalin, momentum and a belief they can’t be beaten.
I don’t buy the emotion of it all. I reckon the Chiefs will win by at least 15, which is what the New Zealand bookies have as a handicap on the final.
How different my thinking would be if the Sharks actually had a week to settle, prepared with more conviction than hope and did not have to negotiate the fatigue that comes with travelling overseas three times in three weeks.
The Sharks were brilliant against the Reds. I picked that win. Historically they play well in Brisbane and the Reds were poor this season. I also picked them to beat the Stormers, because I felt they had the physicality to match the Stormers and the Stormers were never going to be a try-scoring threat. But the way the Sharks hit the wall with seven minutes to play was an indicator that they won’t get through 80 minutes in Hamilton on emotion, passion and belief. They will be huffing and puffing by half time and on the hour the reality of the travel will have set in.
The Sharks are as good a side as the Chiefs, but they are not significantly better. To win this competition, playing the final in another country, requires a squad with few weaknesses and for all the heroics of the last three weeks the Sharks are not the complete package. The Chiefs aren’t either but they had the advantage of playing their semi-final last Friday, they have been at home all week and the only thing that can beat them is a spectacular implosion.
I can’t see it happening because under Dave Rennnie and Wayne Smith they play pragmatic, percentages rugby and they are a team whose focus on defence is never at the expense of attack.
Sonny Bill Williams will be influential. He always is against the Sharks and I can’t see French flyhalf Fred Michalak taking too much contact in Hamilton. Michalak has enjoyed his best month of Super Rugby but he has never been one to mix it with the Kiwis and I don’t see that changing on Saturday.
The first 30 minutes will be intense as both teams have individuals who thrive on physicality, but the Chiefs at 9, 10 and 12 will ask more questions in attack from structured play and they will target Michalak defensively.
There will be individual heroics from the Sharks and world class players like Bismarck du Plessis will front the challenge, but science says the Sharks will be running on empty on the hour.
John Plumtree and Grant Bashford are the best South African coaching combination in the tournament and they are up against the most balanced coaching duo in New Zealand. The Sharks, despite finishing out of the top four, have played the best rugby among South African teams and the Chiefs have been the stand out team in the competition.
Why could there not be a fortnight between semi-final and final? Not just for the Sharks but every year.
South African players who have made the trek to New Zealand previously for semi-finals and the odd final have admitted afterwards that they were just making up the numbers. The same applies to those Kiwi or Aussie teams going to the Republic. The exception has always been the Crusaders, but even they took a beating whenever a semi-final meant travelling to Pretoria.
The Sharks, as I keep on getting reminded, have travelled to Australia and beaten the Aussie Conference Champs. They then travelled to Cape Town and beat the South African Conference Champs. It apparently is written somewhere up above that they will travel to New Zealand and beat the New Zealand Conference Champs. Well I haven’t seen the writing and if the Sharks do succeed it will be the greatest play-offs success in the history of the competition.
Home teams win finals in Super Rugby. History shows that and as is often quoted the only thing man can learn from history is that he never learns from history.
It is fantastic how emphatic the support is for the Sharks but I’ve seen it all before. The blind loyalty in the build-up and then the absolute disbelief when they get pumped.
In 2011 when Peter de Villiers took a second team to play the All Blacks I heard similar talk of a win and when the Boks took a 40-7 hammering there was way too much surprise among the supporters.
Be loyal to your team. Be South African in your support but also know that this final is weighted heavily in favour of the hosts – as is every Super Rugby final.
592 Comments
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3 Aug 2012, 22:28 pm
@cab-548: :lolL cabby you on the juice boet lol
3 Aug 2012, 22:28 pm
@oogle-549:
Much to my surprise, we are sitting 4th on the medals table at this point today!!
Lesbian or not, our Claire is a National Treasure!
3 Aug 2012, 22:30 pm
Right boys and Dawn, good night…..
Good Luck to the Sharks tomorrow, and I hope my Sharkie friends have something to celebrate tomorrow night.
GO SHARKS
3 Aug 2012, 22:33 pm
Cheers carol
If it helps I reckon ms. Balding could give a good account of herself in the superheavy Greco-roman wrestling event.
3 Aug 2012, 22:45 pm
@carol-552:
The home Olympics is historically the best(for medals) for any hosting country.
3 Aug 2012, 22:47 pm
@kaksioek-541: @Robzim-538:
I got the impression he was cruising the first 50 just like in the semi, and over awed by this iconic hero of his like he didn’t want the embarrassment of klapping his hero twice in one olympics so he backed off the first 50 and almost left himself too much to do. The russian in lane 2 shouldn’t come near him, Le Clos had to be told by his coach before the race not to save himself for the second 50 he should have nailed it from the front and Phelps or nobody would have stayed with him.
Was almost like he wasn’t going for gold here, like silver was OK enough and Phelps can have his last 21st medal and 17th gold, seemed like he resigned himself from start that he was happy with silver and Phelps was out of his reach in the 100.
Coach should have told him to go out hard and take the race by the scruff of the neck he could have finished half second faster than he did.
3 Aug 2012, 22:58 pm
@fitz1ella-556: Hmm, I wouldn’t go that far. I think he was saving himself for the second 50 and underestimated how fast the other swimmers would start. He then got a big shock and did well to come back. I think he looked because he was worried he had blown it. But if he didn’t look he wouldn’t have been joint second – that’s for sure. He would have been second with time to spare. But Phelps was just too good. At the next Olympics Le Clos should dominate.
3 Aug 2012, 22:59 pm
@fitz1ella-556: You really do live in a dream world hey ? Have you seen a psychiatrist ? You’re off your rocker – you know that don’t you ?
3 Aug 2012, 23:01 pm
@fitz1ella-556:
10 000m for ladies on, Skop.
You’re watching?
East African girls skopping gat here.
3 Aug 2012, 23:05 pm
@nama1-559: Are they carrying water bottles on their heads ? LOL….only joking….
3 Aug 2012, 23:07 pm
What happened to this S15 final? Was it not to feature the Stormers?
Better yet was it not going to be at Newlands?
Season after season we hear that same tune being whistled but it is like peeing in the stormy winds of the Cape.
Because of this repeating situation they need to develope coping mechanisms for failure.
Globally fans have developed a defensive mechanism they use to shield themselves from these comedowns
It’s quite simple really even for Stormers, they need to just expect the absolute worse and they will be seldom disappointed.
Given their SR history it will generally serve them very well, in fact 100% of the time.
3 Aug 2012, 23:09 pm
@emuella-561: Pfff….you’re a bit late – we have already given them hell. But, feel free to continue
3 Aug 2012, 23:11 pm
@emuella-561: Are you fitz ella’s wife ? Emu ella ?
3 Aug 2012, 23:16 pm
Who is this oogle chap? Another tea swigging, queen adoring foreigner who can only get his anonymous kicks by trolling the locals on their sites. How very sad. And also ironic, since the best troll material he can find is the fact that some of our swimmers have trained in the States (as have half the swimmers, golfers, tennis players etc in the world), while conveniently overlooking the fact that a quarter of his rugby team and a third of his cricket team is foreign, and mostly South African. Yes, great Olympics. But a real pity the locals are such pricks.
3 Aug 2012, 23:24 pm
@Dusky-562:
I am just asking the questions that at the beginning of every season are born because of the false hopes that are shouted from the roof tops.
Not giving anybody hell at all.
As for your next post why do you match me with old rotting matter?
Look at his silly comments on swimming and yet he could probably not swim at all.
3 Aug 2012, 23:30 pm
@>^..^< katman-564:
Shame you seem to be upset. How has your country done?
Yet only the factual situation has been stated if you learn to control that sensitive attitude.
GB has 8 golds and their total stands now at 22 medals.
My country has not done so well this time round in swimming. But the sun will still rise in the morning and set in the evening.
3 Aug 2012, 23:32 pm
@>^..^< katman-564:
Why don’t you google, oogle?
3 Aug 2012, 23:33 pm
@emuella-566: Emuella? What’s that, a cross between a tropical disease and a late night soft-porn tv series?
3 Aug 2012, 23:34 pm
@emuella-567: Why don’t you and then report back here?
3 Aug 2012, 23:37 pm
@>^..^< katman-568:
Is that the disease you are troubled by? New to me.
How do you know that it is not a new exciting day where I am?
4 Aug 2012, 00:22 am
Should be a great game, with all the Olympic action Ive almost forgotten about tonights final!
Would not have picked this final at the start of the year!
Sharks travel of late reminds me of how hard the crusaders had it last year and they will probably hit the wall against chiefs late in the game, especially if the chiefs pull out an effort like last week. If Sharks had an extra week to prepare we could see a different result. They are massive at the moment, travel fatigue will be a factor and just like it was for Crusaders last year!
4 Aug 2012, 01:37 am
Huge momentum with the Sharks at the moment. Led from the front by Bissie, doc Jannie, Alberts, and rateltaai Bressler I reckon they have a decent chance of taking the Chiefs. SBW obviously holds the key for Chiefs but Sharks won’t be intimidated or disrupted like the Crusaders last week.
4 Aug 2012, 01:53 am
On my way to Hammy from Auckland as I type! I’m behind my Sharks all the way! If they don’t win I hope they will go down fighting to the death! I want to see the Beast roarrrr!
4 Aug 2012, 02:02 am
Kwas if the Sharks can rattle SBW their chances will dramatically but I just don’t think Jordaan is experienced enough to go up against a huge seasoned player like SBW. Plum has taken a massive risk. Lambie would’ve been a better option. Playing a new centre combo is crazyiness! 12 & 13 continue to be the thorn in our side. I hope Plum can address this next year.
4 Aug 2012, 02:17 am
@Sydney Shark-574: true, Jordaan is a brilliant attacking centre but with a wing as his centre partner the combo will struggle. If Jordaan passes the Sonny test he will be fast tracked into the Boks side against the Pumas.
4 Aug 2012, 02:23 am
If Le Clos is looking right and left meters before the finish and not even from under the water he has definately had a head swelling after his first gold. No wonder he last tonight missed the gold, complacency what a factor.
MARK KEOHANE is a shocker to read your first line boet. and then your arguement put forth. Harsh words but probably true.
Michalak is a bit of a softy and shys from big contact, so he’s a weak link, throw in Jordaan whom is facing probably the best line breaker in the tournement is a bizaar decision but if the boys mark their men and lasoon their opponnents feet repectfuly the threat of SMW is reduced. THis whole SBW off loading thing , just the general point, makes me laugh because in rugby league this is what you, its very common. And go back a few decades rugby union had plenty of it too. The new concept of tackling the man and ball,upright tackling, has deminished the offloading after the gain line that once was common. We seem to forget this.
Chiefs will play a hi tempo game, with a very hostile crowd backing them.
God bless the Sharks they need him on their side too!.. next to Jordaan and around …
4 Aug 2012, 04:16 am
sad but true
4 Aug 2012, 04:21 am
@Greenies-576:
Le Clos was beaten by best swimmer there has ever been. Phelphs is also the most successful athlete in the Olympics ever in terms of medals won. GET A GRIP – Well done Le Clos!
4 Aug 2012, 04:39 am
Brilliant stuff…
But the real challenge to Australia’s sporting self-esteem has been issued by the Kiwis who, with three gold medals (all from rowing), were perched seven places higher than Australia on the medal table. Which, in time-honoured tradition, will prompt us to embrace the spirit of great Australasians Neil Finn, Russell Crowe and Phar Lap and to note that, with four gold medals, Team Oceania is doing quite well
4 Aug 2012, 07:00 am
Le Clos had at least another half second in him. He was rested from withdrawing out the IM. Phelps won that from Lochte and the Hungarian, so stamina was on Le Clos side.
Bad tactical race, should not have tracked Phelps who wasn’t going to tire in 100 like in the 200
Le Clos was far less focussed for a gold here, like OK I got my gold already I’ll track Phelps and settle for silver if I have to.
If Le Clos can up tempo in 200 after 4 laps he can definitely hold tempo at full throttle in 100. He swam same time in final as in semi, an extra half second on first lap and he would have taken gold instead of watching for and tracking Phelps he should have gone out hard and brought it home in front.
Usual saffa syndrome just do enough be the gentlemen don’t rock the hero’s boat, one gold is enough give the icon his moment of glory, turning half a second behind in a field like that not a good idea. He comes off the block slow and turns way behind. Should have been told hit it from the front and don’t let up and forget Phelps, if he wants gold let him come fetch it from you don’t try chase him down in the 100 like in the 200 because he won’t tire in a 2 lap race.
4 Aug 2012, 07:11 am
Before I hit the bright lights of Rotovegas, which seems to be strangely quiet, awaiting in refined anticipation for the final whistle to start the festivities, I’ld like to wish the Sharks team and their fans the best of luck, like they say “you got to be in it to win it.”
4 Aug 2012, 07:18 am
@Te Rangatira-581: Thanks mate and likewise to the Chiefs and their fans, MAy it be a good clean match and may the best team win
4 Aug 2012, 07:20 am
Super 15 final, what’s that? Minor blip happening on the sporting calendar today in Hamilton, the real stuff is happening over in London town.
Saffas should start realizing there’s way more to be had in sport endeavour other than those two pommie cast off colonialist past times called rugby and skittle sticks, its no wonder those 2 archaic activities aren’t ratified as olympic disciplines where rowing and fencing and weight lifting and badminton and ping pong and greco roman wrestling is.
So where the real sport loving world focuses on the adrenaline and drama unfolding on the biggest sporting stage where the Bolts and Phelps’ and Bakeles etc strut their stuff, the colonies are still transfixed with what’s going down in Headingly and Hamilton. As if anyone in the real world is concerned about who’s Freddie Michalak or Aaron Cruden when Bolts push comes to Phelps shove.
4 Aug 2012, 07:27 am
@fitz1ella-583: Just imagine how unimportant it would have been if the breezers made the final.
4 Aug 2012, 07:53 am
just as unimportant as it is whoever makes the final.
Anyway Chiefies fck these aggrandized aggravating aggrograndiose geniuses up, show these guppyuppie groupies who the real deals in the unimportant rugby world are.
Let the best team win but please don’t come with fairy tale excuses of traveling disadvantages from hell if Chiefies pomp the pattering patter cake pretensions from out of prince Patricks pursed ponderous poepol.
4 Aug 2012, 08:23 am
Emuella = extraball = ET = markfilewalker = you name it
4 Aug 2012, 08:33 am
@fitz1ella-585: well then f u ck off to an athletics site and swoon over swimmer there sonny.
this is a rugby site and we are here for rugby.
SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 Aug 2012, 08:58 am
if shoe was on other foot….Chiefs flying to SA for minor semi, back to NZ for semi then paying sharks in SA for final with sharks having only played at home the week before…………… Sharks would be Super15 champs in 2.5 hours and they’d have smashed the chiefs.
BUT THERE IS NO WAY they’ll won this game, without some stupendous luck/dodgy refereeing/or yellow&red cards to chiefs.
on a level playing field this would be a worthy final. with the travel etc sharks will do well to keep within 10. I have put money on chiefs by 13+. not a reflection on respective quality of sides, but the reality of the task at hand.
GO SHARKS! i live in hope. but chiefs played their final last week. now a formality.
4 Aug 2012, 09:45 am
Kanko really stepping up, well done! Hope they can keep this up for 80!!
4 Aug 2012, 09:58 am
Sharks need to hit back fast and not let Chiefs get rampant now or its all over, one negative thought and the fatigue will kick in and take over..
4 Aug 2012, 10:14 am
Alberts needs to get stuck into this f game..
4 Aug 2012, 10:18 am
Sharks are flat.. Would have been tempted to actual start Deysel and bring Alberts on second.. He is non existant on that park atm.. No surprise. Good 15min then fatigue needled in.
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