The Sharks host the Western Force in Round 6 of Super Rugby, with the Force needing a result to get their result back on track.
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Battle of the bad boys
A total of four cards were handed to the men from Natal and Western Australia. Bismarck du Plessis misses the first of four matches today due to suspension for kicking the Chiefs’ Michael Leitch in the head.
It would be misplaced thinking to assume Patrick Lambie is omitted due to foul play. He is being rested, which is probably a safe measure – considering they have won all matches against the Force played in Durban, whilst also scoring twice as many points as the men from Australia.
Lambie’s inside centre partner Francois Steyn was the other Sharks player who received a red card last week. Whilst the judiciary exonerated him, SANZAR has appealed the judgement and will be reviewed next week. In the meantime, he will be the Sharks’ playmaker.
Tetera Faulkner and Adam Coleman were the men from the Western Australia who were forced from the field through yellow cards. They were two of many players who conceded several infringements when defending the Bulls’ maul early in the second half.
Sharks’ set piece superiority: Back to the future?
The Force have the worst scrum success rate in the competition. They also have the fewest lineout steals.
Conversely, the Sharks are the tournament leaders in lineout steals. Although leading jumper Pieter-Steph du Toit is rested, the other leading lineout thieves in Marco Wentzel and Ryan Kankowski will be ready to pilfer from Nathan Charles’ short throws.
If their set piece form continues, the Sharks may be tempted to employ good ole ‘Jake Ball’ to keep possession and territory away from the Force.
The scrum by the men from Perth improved last week, probably due to the additional back five power including Adam Coleman and Steve Mafi.
The premier Springboks props will be facing off with the Wallaby backup props. It would be interesting to see if the Force can lift their scrum further today. Failing to do so, will end their chances for victory, or even scoring points.
Kane Koteka. Meet Johnny Diesel.
Today is the second game Super Rugby match for Perth-born, 21 year old, 94 kg openside flanker Kane Koteka. Last week, he matched up fairly well against 105 kg super tackler ‘Lappies’ Labuschagne. Today, he will compete in the rucks against the 110kg Sharks captain and Springbok, Jean Deysel.
Can the backs play?
If the Sharks’ pack dominates set piece and controls that game, we may not be able to see if the good form demonstrated by Luke Burton and Kyle Godwin will continue. Both the zippy SP Marais and the tricky Luke Morahan will inject themselves strategically to create opportunities to score tries.
Conrad Hoffmann. Meet Adam Coleman. And Steve Mafi. And Ben McCalman
Sharks scrumhalf Cobus Reinach is also being rested. In his place is the ex-Brumbie Hoffman, who will make his first start this season. The Force may look to disrupt the Sharks forwards rhythm by targeting Hoffman.
Nevertheless, the bookies have the Sharks as a clear favourite. In order to deliver an upset, the Western Force need hold up their set piece and take advantage of the missing regular Sharks starters.
Join The Roar for live scores of the match on Sunday morning, and join the discussion in the comments section below.
RobC
Roar Guru
The Sharks had early opportunities to retain possession and win early points. But the new combinations seem to have let them down in the first half. There was no point scored for a good part of 30' Conversely, the Force ran on with the same team as last week maintained possession, from around 20' onwards. Ben McCalman seemed to have scored a try around 29' but had to settle for first blood for the game via penalty. The force continued to dominate possession and territory with their forwards winning collision and making metres. But it was the Sharks backs who ran a tonne of metres off scarce opportunities. Half of the metres made by the Sharks were by the back three - mostly in the proceess scoring the opportunitic tries in the second half. One in the first 2' another in the last 12' The force halves needs to organise their backline and have multiple runners in the redzone moves to finish off their opponents defence. Their backrow seems powerful and fast enough to support them. The Sharks, will probably regroup when Bismarck Lambie Reinarch et all returns to the fold. They will be challenged to deliver same results as Lions in ANZ
RobC
Roar Guru
Tries: 1. 42'Sharks #1 - Bad LO throw by the Force. - Good scrum win by the Sharks around halfway. - Two deep raids, ending with Marais try on the left 2. 68'Sharks #2 - Dane HP goes for yet another chip/chase into the Sharks 35m - Instead Marais takes it on. Wins and runs - Passes to Mvovo for a 45m runaway try
RobC
Roar Guru
Sharks not combining in the rucks as well. New players: - Struggled to complete lineouts. Struggled to nail penalties and DG. Struggled to kick in attack. - Struggled to repel Force from their redzone - Did well to repel the Force from their tryline - Two decisive incisive tries to nail the Force to the mast. Sharks Players: - Marais raids were the decisive wins. MOTM for me - Everyone in defence. 7 players hit double digit tackles, most around 13. Johnny Diesel makes 17!
RobC
Roar Guru
Fortunately for the Sharks, Force unable to complete: - Godwin dropped a sitter to the tryline - Big Dog seemed to score on the whitewash, but ruled out by the TMO and ref. - From around 25' til the end, the Force using their big men to make it into the redzone. Cheika must be happy too. Richard Graham must be envious. - Huge metres. Koteka Coleman Mafi Tet Big Dog Heiberg. Back not as much. - Scrum needs serious work, halves still not using the backs to kill off redzone opportunities. Foley needs to relook. Force Players: - Their three locks going from strength to strength - Godwin some clever moves and gainline results - Kandy Kane Koteka. Good form for game 2. Excellent attack. V good D. Lets see next week
RobC
Roar Guru
That was a tough contest for both teams with the Sharks two tries the main difference for the win, despite struggling to keep the Force out from their redzone The Force made easy metres into the Sharks territory, but unable to finish off. Its the halves I reckon. The Sharks have some penalty and possession too, but gave it away too easily and gave the Force possession and momentum. The other difference is their tryline D.
RobC
Roar Guru
DEFENCE Tackles 157-48 Missed Tackles 22-12 Turnovers won 4-5 KICKS Kicks in Play 38 - 35 Conversions 1/2 (50%) - 0/0 (0%) Penalty Goals 1/3 (33.3%) - 3/5 (60%) Drop Goal 0/1 (0%)- 0/0 (0%) BREAKDOWN Rucks Won 33-112 Rucks Lost 1-2 Rucks Won (%) 97.1% - 98.2% Mauls Won 2-3 SET PIECE Lineouts Won 5-19 Lineouts Lost 4-3 Lineouts Won (%) 55.6% - 86.4% Scrums Won 7 - 4 Scrums Lost 1 - 2 Scrums Won (%) 87.5% - 66.7% DISCIPLINE Penalties conceded 9 - 6 Red Cards 0 - 0 Yellow Cards 0 - 0
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers DC. I actually enjoyed it actually. Force lifted I thought. Just unable to complete
DaniE
Roar Guru
Ha indeed, thanks
Shop
Roar Guru
Thanks RobC!
AndyS
Guest
Cheers Rob, good call.
RobC
Roar Guru
hahaI I try to see it from a 'contest' point of view
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Rob, hard game to do!
RobC
Roar Guru
ATTACK SHARKS VS FORCE Tries 2-0 Metres 446-495 Carries 69-141 Defenders beaten 12-22 Clean Breaks 5-4 Passes 68-139 Offloads 7-5 Turnovers conceded 19-13
Harry Jones
Expert
Amazingly, you brought this shambolism to life. Rob C
RobC
Roar Guru
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SHARKS WHO WIN 15 POINTS TO 9 VS THE WESTERN FORCE
RobC
Roar Guru
80' 15-9 Burton nails IT! Game over!
RobC
Roar Guru
79' 15-6 Force win from their Sharks 20m right. Penalty against DandP. Oppotunity to hit the pen for a losing bonus points
AndyS
Guest
You'd say take the kick, but even that is no better than a coin toss.
RobC
Roar Guru
79' 15-6 ONE MINUTE / NINE POINT GAME Sharks feed from their 3m left. Ryan K runs it out. Fred Z short clear.
RobC
Roar Guru
stoppage