Sharks
14
Match Complete
Reds
21
| C. Bosch |  | 79 | ||
| D. D. Preez |  | 78 | ||
| 59 | | H. Stewart | ||
| 59 | | T. McDermott | ||
| R. D. Preez | | 25 | ||
| K. V. Vuuren | | 24 | ||
| 19 | | B. Hegarty | ||
| 18 | | C. Feauai-Sautia | ||
| 2 | | B. Hegarty | ||
| 1 | | B. Hegarty |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Reds will be right up against it, but must find a way to win when they take on a strong Sharks outfit in Durban. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 11:05pm (AEDT).
The Queensland-based outfit come into this match sitting fourth in the Australian conference, on just 14 points, and simply must start winning if they want to be chance of sneaking into the finals.
While there are still plenty of matches remaining this season, the Reds are on a difficult South African trip and can set themselves up for a strong second half of the season with a victory here.
They kicked off their tour last week with a tough loss at the hands of the Bulls, where they were bullied in the forwards and simply didn’t have the defensive work rate or intensity to go with the side who now sit at the top of the South African conference.
Their defence has been poor throughout 2019 though, with a tackle accuracy of just 29 per cent, and 67 penalties conceded. While they are yet to lose a lineout, if they can’t pick up their defence, this might be a cakewalk for the home side.
The Reds haven’t had a Super Rugby win in South Africa since 2015 either, while the Sharks haven’t lost a single match in their last ten to an Australian side at home.
The South African conference has been a tough-run thing, and the Sharks will be equally as desperate for a win here, with the top spot likely to be decided by a point or two at the end of the season.
The inconsistency of all five teams in the conference makes it hard to get a read on which Sharks side will turn up to this game, with results all over the place.
They struggled last week, falling at home to the Jaguares by a score of 51-17, but going to show how up and down things are, they smoked grand finalists the Lions the week before.
The home side come into this game without Test backs Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi, which the Reds may see as their best chance to win. If their forwards can match it, then getting the ball out wide and aiming for plenty of points will be the way to go.
The Sharks do have a strong pack though, led by Test prop Coenie Oosthuizen, and the sides average gain per of 10.1 metres is well above the Reds, so it’ll be easier said than done for the Aussie outfit.
Prediction
The Sharks are at home and desperate to keep pace with the Bulls at the top of the South African conference. They shouldn’t lose here.
Sharks by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 11:05pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 11:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Kings Park Stadium, Durban
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports
Betting: Sharks $1.21, Reds $4.45
Overall record: Played 22, Reds 12, Sharks 10
Last meeting: Feb 24, 2017 – Reds 28 defeat Sharks 26 at Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Sharks
1. Beast Mtawarira, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Philip van der Walt, 7. Jacques Vermeulen, 8. Daniel du Preez, 9. Louis Schreuder (c), 10. Robert du Preez, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 13. Kobus van Wyk, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 15. Curwin Bosch
Bench: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Tyler Paul, 20. Jean-Luc du Preez, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Aphelele Fassi
Reds
1. Harry Hoopert, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Bryce Hegarty, 11. Jack Hardy, 12. Samu Kerevi (c), 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 14. Sefa Naivalu, 15. Hamish Stewart
Bench: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. JP Smith, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Harry Hockings, 20. Adam Korczyk, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Duncan Paia’aua, 23. Jock Campbell
Scott Pryde
Expert
Only just saw this comment - thanks KP! Appreciate it.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Haven’t they beaten two teams that have beaten the Reds, as well as the Reds, in Queensland? How many Kiwi teams have the Reds beaten? Thorn deserves thorough praise after last night’s result. But you cannot be surprised when people criticise him when he pays part of Quade Cooper’s salary at the Rebels to beat the Reds in Queensland. Thorn has to have sustained results to prove the critics wrong.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
You’re right, it is technically possible.
Redsfan1
Guest
Not really Fionn. The Rebels have three Kiwi teams to play and a South African. Can seeing them dropping off top spot.
Redsfan1
Guest
A little tired of the constant whinging posts about Thorn and how great Cooper is. It's the Queensland Reds not the Quadeland Reds. Also- yes the Rebels are no. 1 currently because they have played all Aussie teams and Sunwolves with only 1 NZ team and having lost to all South African opposition...
AJ
Guest
Haven’t seen it but love this result. Had a feeling about it. Was some good noises coming from the camp about the disappointing bulls effort. Anything can happen between teams 2-15 it seems.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Hi Scott Many thanks this was a great blog to catch up on game. Particularly appreciate your "live comp table" early on in the blog, players list & confo. Hearty cheers KP (on sunny south coast with no TV access :-) )
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Hard to tell exactly how many wins will be required I think. It becomes a lot harder for them if the Brumbies win tonight. They also definitely want to beat the Jaguares if they want to sneak into the finals.
Danny
Roar Pro
Rebels are positioned to win Aus conf and playing well. I'm rooting for the Reds to come second and make the eight. Lack of BPs is a problem and I think they'll need eight wins. There are definitely four winnable games in the run home. I hope SWs will be one but they are playing very well this year despite results.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Mafi's kick was impressive too.
PeterK
Roar Guru
makes a big difference when there is a neutral ref and the penalties are about even
James GC
Roar Rookie
This just proves MC attack structure is horrible. His use of SK is single minded how good are his offloads even better as he demands 2-3 defenders to bring him down. CFS running some brilliant support play. I just wish they could bring Sefa into the game more need him to replace MK down the left wing.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah I wasn’t going to dignify his post with a response - I’ll dignify you’re instead, Fionn :)
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah and CFS must now be in line to be WB backup 13. Another quality game from him and he and Kerevi seem to have a good understanding esp on support play.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Tupou probably suffers a bit from very high expectations around his running game while having a bit of trouble with his handling this season, but he is doing very well with his scrummaging. There isn’t much an tougher examination than packing down against Tendai Mtwariria, but Tupou passed with flying colours.
Jonesy
Guest
Agree - very pleased with McDermott’s development this season. I hope it continues, and makes the wallabies post-Genia transition smoother than I had anticipated.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Up the reds! I am very encouraged by their attacking structure that led to the third try. Bend the line and then hit runner after runner until no one is left standing. If you asked me before the season what I’d be happy with in terms of thorn and a rebuilding of the reds, a win away was a big ticket item! Second in the Aus conference with the weakest team sheet. Not bad...
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Happy for you Riddler. As a Wallaby fan very pleased that the northern sector is growing green shoots. In that game- MacDermott Kerevi Naivalu Rodda Tupou, at least deserve the selectors’ (plural?) attention.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes BGaG, I was immensely impressed with McDermott. I actually had the thought during that game that he was chewing up some of the daylight behind Genia. I would go as far to say that game was as good as any Australian win this year, and wouldn’t argue with anyone calling it number 1.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Just watched the replay and what a win by the Reds, where are all those doubters when I said Reds will make battered flake of the Shorkies. Liam Wright was my M.O.M, he shaved Kerevi in a points decision due to stopping the Snarks with 3 ruck penalties.