It’s 8th versus 18th when the Sharks battle the Sunwolves in Singapore tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 9:55pm AEST.
This match will be a belter.
The Sunwolves were admirable in their three-match tour of New Zealand before nearly pulling a fast one on the hot and cold Jaguares last week in a noisy Buenos Aires.
The Sharks meanwhile, will be stinging after their upset loss to the Southern Kings last start.
For different reasons, both sides will turn up with something to prove.
For the Japanese franchise – they’ll be out to prove that their form of late is no fluke, and that their spot at the base of the overall ladder isn’t reflective of what they can offer.
For the Sharks? They need to right the wrongs of last round and can push up to 6th on the overall ladder with a win.
If you looked at the ladder and indeed the betting odds – it would appear the Sharks should win this game in a canter.
However, with the Sunwolves welcoming back captain and workhorse Harumichi Tatekawa, and the Sharks being riddled by injuries – particularly in the backline, this game will be a tight affair.
The last time these two teams met, the Sharks emerged 40-29 victors in an attacking affair in Durban.
Prediction
The Sunwolves have been impressive in games in Singapore, and indeed their last three matches on the road.
The Sharks will be keen to bounce back from their last start loss, and assuming their tight five hold up – I think they’ll scrape home in a hostile affair.
Sharks by 5
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 9:55pm AEST.
Katipo
Guest
I'm in Singapore. Didn't even know it was on. Neither did anyone else. How many would have been there, 3,000?
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
No worries Dani - that last 10 minutes was great! Couldn't agree with you more. Benefits no one.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Sharks 38 - 17 Sunwolves. In the end it was comfortable for the men from Durban, but gee they were made to work for it. A mix of dogged defending and good luck kept the Sunwolves in the game until the last five minutes. Two late tries to Mvovo and Nkosi killed off their fight and in the end the scoreline flattered them. Thanks for joining us tonight - on to Sunday we go! Ciao
DaniE
Roar Guru
Thanks for slogging through the game Nick. At least the 2nd half picked up somewhat! No more games for SG please. Not doing the players justice.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
80′ Sharks 38 – 17 Sunwolves TRY SHARKS! Where was this for the last 78 minutes?! Du Preez breaks two tackles off the kick off and floats an offload over two sun wolves - a rampaging Mvovo scores his third. The conversion is missed and thats the end of the game.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
80′ Sharks 33 – 17 Sunwolves TRY SHARKS! The Sharks come up with a turnover 15m from their line and after a swift counter attack - Nkosi streaks away and ends the Sunwolves brave fight with his second for the night.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
75′ Sharks 26 – 17 Sunwolves TRY SHARKS! Mvovo! The nimble Sharks fullback charges onto a one handed offload from Oosthuizen and he carries two defenders over the line with him. The conversion is missed, but you'd be a brave punter to back the Sunwolves from here. Great vision from Mvovo.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
74′ Sharks 21 – 17 Sunwolves Cross kick from Amura in the Sunwolves 22 is dropped cold by Shota Emi and the Sharks have an attacking scrum 10m out. Will they kill off the flailing sunwolves here?
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
72′ Sharks 21 – 17 Sunwolves Goodness me. The last pass for the Sharks goes down and the knock on saves the Sunwolves AGAIN. This could well have been a 40 point win for the Sharks had they been efficient and clean with their execution - instead, the Sunwolves have a scrum 15m from their line and only trail by 4.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
70′ Sharks 21 – 17 Sunwolves Sunwolves #8 Britz leaves the field for a concussion test as we enter the final 10 minutes, The Sharks are camped in the Sunwolves 22 after a nice break from Johan Deysel. Men in reds defence is holding firm for the time being, however - as the Sharks look to march their way up field.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
67′ Sharks 21 – 17 Sunwolves And this time it's the Sunwolves who come up with the big play - Amura stabbing a wonderful kick from halfway dribbling it into touch 5m out from the Sharks line. As the Sunwolves are on the attack - Du Preez comes up with the turnover. He has been mammoth tonight. Who will win this last 10 minutes? Sunwolves with all the momentum seemingly as it stands...
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
62′ Sharks 21 – 17 Sunwolves The Sharks have made a habit of stepping up the intensity of their play as soon as they've conceded points tonight and they do no different here. Du Preez again in the thick of it and he goes close to the line but AGAIN the Sunwolves come up with a turnover on their line. This time it's captain corageous Tatekawa who is having a whale of a game on his return from injury. The Sunwolves have a lineout on halfway from the proceeding penalty. The Sharks coaching staff and fan base must be ripping their hair out.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
60′ Sharks 21 – 17 Sunwolves PENALTY GOAL SUNWOLVES! The Sunwolves are rewarded after an extended stint in Sharks territory with a penalty 22m out. #22 replacement Ogura knocks over the three and it is a four point game!
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
58′ Sharks 21 – 14 Sunwolves Du Preez comes up with the steal on halfway and toes it through with a deep grubber - he wins the foot race over the Sunwolves winger but a small fumble close to the line sees them cough it up when they looked certain to score. Again - the Sharks have all the running but can't quite kill them off. You feel that the floodgates will open soon and the Sharks will start putting some points on - but for the time being you can only admire the defensive tenacity of a dogged Sunwolves outfit.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
52′ Sharks 21 – 14 Sunwolves TRY SUNWOLVES! Sunwolves with a nice 2nd man play and they get a penalty on halfway. Off the proceeding lineout, some deft work from Tanaka sees him hold the ball up on the Sharks 22 and a little hole opens up - #7 Matsuhashi needs no second invitation and he barges through a weak defender and scores 10m to the right of the posts. Tamura nails the conversion and the Sunwolves are somehow still alive and kicking here.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
47′ Sharks 21 – 7 Sunwolves Sharks grab a penalty through #11 Nkosi who comes up with a pilfer. They have a lineout 15m out but Wykes shows immense strength to hold up the maul before killing it and the Sunwolves have a scrum 15 out from their own line. Again, the Sunwolves are doing all of the defending early in this half.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
43′ Sharks 21 – 7 Sunwolves The Sharks start the second half as they finished the first, with a sharp line break from #8 Du Preez. They string together 10 good phases before the Sunwolves 7 Hatsuhashi grabs his second turnover the night and they clear the pressure. They have an attacking lineout 40m from the Sharks line.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
40′ Sharks 21 – 7 Sunwolves We're underway in the second half and in good news for the Sunwolves, Wykes is back on the field.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
HALF TIME Sharks 21 – 7 Sunwolves Hitosho Ono checks in for Sam Wykes who limps off injured - a massive blow for the Sunwolves losing one of their best performers right on half time. The Sharks camp on the Sunwolves line to end the half and the Sunwolves are hanging on by the skin of their teeth as the teams go into the sheds. The Sharks have played some enterprising rugby and should be ahead by more going into the break. Some defensive lapses at their end have kept the Sunwolves in the contest when they could have shut them out of the game early. Join us for the second half in 10 minutes time.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
36′ Sharks 21 – 7 Sunwolves TRY SHARKS! No, no, no!! Sunwolves what are you doing?! Matsushima makes another nice line break before Tanaka goes quickly from the subsequent penalty and throws a three man cut out that is knocked on. Sbu Nkosi picks up the loose ball and runs 40m with not a Sunwolf in front of him to score on the stroke of halftime. Silly football with 4 minutes to go in the half. April continues his perfect night with the boot and the Sharks lead by two converted tries.