Sharks
17
Match Complete
Hurricanes
30
| 67 |  | B. Barrett | ||
| 65 |  | W. Goosen | ||
| 62 |  | B. Barrett | ||
| C. Bosch | | 45 | ||
| J. Schoeman | | 44 | ||
| C. Bosch | | 40 | ||
| A. Fassi | | 38 | ||
| 33 | | B. Barrett | ||
| 32 | | N. Laumape | ||
| 15 | | B. Barrett | ||
| 12 | | B. Barrett | ||
| C. Bosch | | 9 | ||
| 6 | | B. Barrett | ||
| 5 | | J. Barrett |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Sharks will attempt to give themselves the upper hand in the push for the Super Rugby finals when they take on a high-flying Hurricanes outfit, who can all but lock up the top wildcard spot and a home playoff. Join The Roar for live scores from 11:05pm (AEST).
In any other conference, the Hurricanes would be the side to catch, but playing in New Zealand, they are well below the Crusaders, who will lock up top spot in the New Zealand conference.
Regardless, their 40 competition points currently has them six ahead of the next best non-top team, meaning a win here would virtually lock up fourth place on the overall table and a home final in the first week.
However, it’s a less than straightforward finish to the season for the ‘Canes, with this South African tour also seeing them take on the Lions, before they fly back to New Zealand and play the Lions in the final week of action.
They have had a bye to freshen up after the trip to South Africa, however, their last start was a loss to Jaguares, which broke a five-game winning streak that had kicked them clear of the pack in the New Zealand conference.
If they can get back to their best in their first game overseas, they will be incredibly hard to stop.
The Sharks, on the other hand, are ahead of the bottom teams in the South African conference, but given the Lions and Stormers face off later today, a loss here would put them in danger of slipping outside the overall top eight.
A win, on the other hand, leaves them in with a shot at finishing top of the tree in the volatile South African conference, which would win them the all-important home final.
Following a win against the Waratahs, a draw with the Crusaders and a loss against the Chiefs in what was a reasonably successful overseas trip, they were more or less back at their best last weekend with a win over the surprisingly poor Lions.
Momentum-wise, they should have plenty going for them at home, but they have thrown away some games this year and the pressure will be on from the word go.
Prediction
The Hurricanes have been strong, and while the first week of an overseas trip is always tough, I expect them to pick up the home final-seeling win here.
Hurricanes by 10.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 11:05pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Danny
Roar Pro
I suspect the likelihood of red plummets the closer it is to starting. A consistent red is best I can call it. Berry had another average game.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Sharks thoroughly outplayed. Worrying signs for South African rugby. Sharks are the best SA team this year but were bossed about by the Canes on home ground. Another big concern is rapidly dwindling crowds at all venues. The race based quota policy has led to an increased amount of black African players in the teams but completely failed to attract black African supporters. Conversely it has also led to an exodus of white supporters who remain unconvinced that the best available players are on the park. It has also contributed to quality players leaving for overseas teams diluting interest in the game locally. We already know that what has been a steady stream of players to Europe is going to become a flood post World Cup. Where to then for the game in SA.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Yep absolutely. It didn't matter in this game, but that same interpretation would be used early on in a game. A red card is a massive impact to a team if it happens in, say, the first 20 minutes. For a tackle like that which, in my opinion, should only be a penalty. I understand they are very harsh on any tackles like this these days, so could accept a yellow. But a red...the fact they had a good look with the TMO and came up with that decision just makes me so nervous for the World Cup...
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Red or yellow it didn’t impact the game as in the final 10 minutes there isn’t a tangible difference, but imagine that’s the first minute. Absolutely ridiculous. I can accept a yellow - although still think that’s harsh - but a Red is just ridiculous. That opened hand slap TJ got in that last bust up had more intent. If the ref is saying he didn’t have arms, led with the shoulder AND first contact is with the throat... think about the logistics of that... it is almost impossible to lead with the shoulder to the throat without contacting anywhere else first. This decision didn’t have an impact on the result, I’m more concerned if this is the standard they bring to the WC where it is do or die come finals time.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Solid effort by the Canes, an important away win. On another note, I'm looking forward to one of these ridiculous red card rulings ruining the world cup...
67
65
62
45
44
40
38
33
32
15
12
9
6
5