Sharks Supporters Thread ver. 2008

[Ou grote]

Hurricanes vs Blues draw could end SA's hopes

home semi-final

 

[LancelotSA]

home semi-final

Yip, i know.... that was the headline of the article. As per normal media it obviously made for better sales by leaving out the "home semi" part

 

[Ou grote]

Yip, i know.... that was the headline of the article. As per normal media it obviously made for better sales by leaving out the "home semi" part

had to read it twice myself this morning

 

[LancelotSA]

Super 14 preview Round Fourteen

Super 14 preview Round Fourteen

The Super14 picks up again on Friday and here we have a quick look at the matches coming up on Friday in Round Fourteen of the 2008 Super 14 starting with a big NZ derby that has the potential to knock the South African teams out - the Blues vs the Hurricanes.


This is the last of the scheduled or round robin matches for the 2008 Super 14. This round could even be the last scheduled round of the Super 14 as we know it because SANZAR is desperate to change the format.

But before that happens we have some more matches to play that will decide who will contest the Semi-finals next week end and then the winners of those matches will play in the final.

BLUES V HURRICANES

This really has come to a fine end. Local derbies are always good but when you add the spice of playing for a Semi-final place and a possible selection for the All Blacks in a couple of weeks the stakes are high.

The Blues need a bonus point victory to stay in the hunt for a Semi-final. It is a long shot but not as long as the odds are for the Chiefs. The match will be David Nucifora's last coaching the Blues so they will all want to end on a high at Eden Park. A large number of the Blues will be leaving for various parts of the world after this.

The Hurricanes showed last week that they are capable of playing two types of games. Instead of the normal attack focused game they played a much slower and determined game plan holding back the Force. If they win this week with a bonus point they are guaranteed a home Semi-final. A win alone should see them hosting a home semi provided that the Waratahs don't put up a weird cricket score against the Reds like the Bulls did last year.

The Hurricanes will be back to pretty much full strength with the return of Jerry Collins. His return will provide an almighty clash in the loosies.

The Hurricanes haven't had too much luck at Eden Park only winning twice out of six visits. With the Hurricanes being so close to a home semi they will be determined again and they should be able to shut the Blues down and get the win.

Hurricanes by 9

Friday May 16
Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Assessor: Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)
Head-to-Head: Played 12, Blues 8, Hurricanes 3, Drawn 1
In Auckland: Played 6, Blues 4, Hurricanes 2
Last season: Round 3, February 17 2007: Hurricanes 23-22 Blues at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Teams



WESTERN FORCE V BRUMBIES

Both of these teams promised a lot at different stages of the tournament. Crucial injuries hampered both of their campaigns showing that they don't have the depth that they would like.

Both teams have 28 points on the table and both teams have 6 wins and 6 losses. Points difference between the two teams is just 5 points showing just how close these two teams are. The winner of this match will be the second best Australian team (after the Tahs) and that title is exactly what they are playing for.

The Force have home advantage (and that awesome Blue wave of a crowd) but they have never beaten the Brumbies and former Brumby Matt Giteau will have no trouble lifting his game from last week to beat his old team-mates from Canberra.


Other than having your team finish higher on the table the players themselves will know that this is their last chance to impress incoming coach Robbie Deans. There are a number of on field battles to watch out for but our pick is the battle between Mark Gerrard and Cameron Shepherd who are both in the running for the Wallaby No.15 jersey.

Force by 5

Friday May 16
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)/Nathan Pearce (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia), Grant MacNeill (Australia)
TMO: Geoff Acton (Australia)
Assessor: Scott Young (Australia)
Head-to-Head: Played 2, Brumbies 2, Force 0
In Perth: Played 1, Brumbies 1, Force 0
Last season: Round 12, April 20 2007: Brumbies 14-12 Force at Canberra Stadium, Canberra


CRUSADERS V HIGHLANDERS

It's going to be a tough match for New Zealand's lowest placed team this weekend as they arrive in Christchurch knowing that they have only won a single match in eight attempts and there are very few that will predict that the Highlanders will pick up a win this weekend.

Last week the Highlanders showed heart against the Blues with a second half comeback but eventually the class of the Blues and Nick Evans in particular shone through. This week will be much the same as the Crusaders have named a full squad including Dan Carter.

The Crusaders were given a wake up call last week by the Reds of all teams but as coach Deans emptied the bench the skill level increased and the Crusaders snatched a win. Deans will be looking for momentum ahead of their home semi-final and a win at home will set the team up perfectly for a charge at the final.

AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Saturday May 17
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Josh Noonan (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
Assessor: Kim Eichmann (New Zealand)
Head-to-Head: Played 15, Crusaders 11, Highlanders 4
In Christchurch: Played 8, Crusaders 7, Highlanders 1
Last season: Round 11, April 14 2007: Crusaders 38-3 Highlanders at Carisbrook, Dunedin


REDS V WARATAHS


Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie says he was always aware that this match was out there waiting to happen. This is Rugby Union's version of the State of Origin and the Queensland vs New South Wales rivalry has always been strong regardless.

The Reds will be full of confidence after least week's superb showing against the Crusaders. Both teams have been talking the match up with the Reds playing party-crashers.

The match promises to be a beauty as the Reds tackled tackled for their lives last week much as the Stormers did last week against the Waratahs did in the second half.

The Waratahs then should know how to put the phases together and chip away and the Reds should know how to hold them off. A Semi final is too close for the Waratahs to let slip now.

Much as the Crusaders did last week the Waratahs class will shine through and they will systematically grind out a win.

Waratahs by 8

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday May 17
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Damian Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
Assessor: Wayne Erickson (Australia)
Head-to-Head: Played 12, Reds 8, Waratahs 3, Drawn 1
In Brisbane: Played 6, Reds 4, Waratahs 1, Drawn 1
Last season: Round 11, April 14 2007: Waratahs 26-13 Reds at Aussie Stadium, Sydney

LIONS V STORMERS

The Stormers on paper look to have the easiest run at earning a semi-final place. They will however want a bonus point victory against a team that played out of their skins last week almost entirely ending the Chiefs Super 14 campaign.

The visitors to Ellis Parks will not be happy with last week's draw against the Waratahs and they know they need to perform this week. If they don't the Sharks, Blues and perhaps the Chiefs will be hot on their heels.

Even though the Lions did beat the Chiefs last week their form for the years has been poor and they are still the last placed team in the competition.

The Stormers have already shown that they can perform away from home so they shouldn't have too much trouble scoring four tries against the team that has the second worst defensive record this year.

Stormers by 12+

Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday May 17
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Assessor: Banks Yantolo (South Africa)
Timekeeper: Kat Swanepoel (South Africa)
Head-to-Head: Played 11, Stormers 7, Lions/Cats 4
In Johannesburg: Played 6, Stormers 4, Lions/Cats 2
Last season: Round 10, April 7 2007: Stormers 30-8 Lions at Newlands, Cape Town

 

[LancelotSA]

Continued...

CHEETAHS V BULLS

The Bulls look like they have finally regained the formula they had last year and overcome the loss of several big names after last year's world cup.

They would have had a vastly different season had they found the form earlier and not at the tail end of the season. They have won three in a row now and by the end of their Super 14 on Saturday it should be four in a row.

If the Lions pick up a bonus point in the earlier match and the Cheetahs don't pick up any points at all the Cheetahs will become the lowest placed South African team.

The Bulls biggest problem in this match should be keeping all their players on the field and not in the sin-bin. They will have to watch their discipline.

Bulls by 10+

Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Saturday May 17
Referee: Phillip Bosch (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Willie Roos (South Africa), Joey Salmans (South Africa)
TMO: Michael Cupido (South Africa)
Assessor: Arrie Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
Timekeeper: Neville Heilbron (South Africa)
Head-to-Head: Played 3, Bulls 2, Cheetahs 1
In Bloemfontein: Played 1, Bulls 1, Cheetahs 0
Last season: Round 2, February 10 2007: Bulls 24-20 Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria


SHARKS V CHIEFS

It's been a funny season for the Chiefs. Just three weeks ago they were on a charge for the finals with many saying they were going to be crowned champions.

The Force put them away with a last minute penalty but the lowly ranked Lions put them away a lot earlier in the match and the writing was on the wall by half time.
The Sharks struggled a bit last week against the Cheetahs and a last minute rally by Ndungane kept them in the running.

The Sharks are in the envious position now of knowing exactly what they have to score in order to reach the semis if they are still in it by the time they kick off. The Bulls were in a very similar position last year and they went on to win it.

The Chiefs have had an awful tour capped off by an awful week. Injuries have hampered their week and although Brendon Leonard could be back the other injuries will have a big impact on the team.

The Sharks should win this one with a bonus point. Whether that will be enough to earn them a Semi-final place remains to be seen.

Sharks by 7

Absa Stadium, Durban
Saturday May 17
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Assistant referees: Brett Bowden (Australia), Pro Legoete (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Dennis Immelman (South Africa)
Timekeeper: Albert Mocke (South Africa)
Head-to-Head: Played 12, Sharks 7, Chiefs 5
In Durban: Played 6, Sharks 4, Chiefs 2
Last season: Round 12, April 21 2007: Chiefs 35-27 Sharks at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

If the results go according to these predictions this will be the final log:

Pos	Team	       Pts	BP	Tot	Pts diff
1.	Crusaders	48	8	56	210
2.	Hurricanes	38	6	44	117
3.	Waratahs	38	5	43	72
4.	Stormers	34	7	41	61
5.	Sharks	        38	3	41	47
6.	Blues	        28	8	36	76
7.	Chiefs	        28	7	35	14

BUT, this ignores bonus points... and the fact that the Sharks will know exactly how many points they need to score and we know how that turned out for the Bulls last year!!

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Pity Steyn and BJ are out .......... but at least the Chiefs are having major injury issues too (not that I'm glad peeps are hurt of course).

 

[LancelotSA]

Pity Steyn and BJ are out .......... but at least the Chiefs are having major injury issues too (not that I'm glad peeps are hurt of course).

This has not been confirmed yet.... the team has not been announced yet for this specific reason. Remember they have until Saturday 7pm to make a decision. On Thursday apparently the two of them did not look too comfortable in their fitness sessions but who knows what two days can bring.

The Sharks may also look at some more mobility in the forwards if they are needing a large points win to make it through, so for this reason they will also delay the announcement.

Go Blues in the current game!! (But no bonus points please!)

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

And the Blues are wilting like panzies

 

[Ou grote]

...
BUT, this ignores bonus points... and the fact that the Sharks will know exactly how many points they need to score and we know how that turned out for the Bulls last year!!

This is too confusing for rugby fans.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

And the Blues get manly again

 

[LancelotSA]

Besides we are not aiming as low as you. We are aiming for number two!

Hurricanes lose to Blues. Blues move to 40 points and 3rd place.
Reds play game of the season and beat Waratahs. Waratahs now 4th.
Lions beat Stormers. Stormers stay out of top 4!
Sharks beat Chiefs. Move into second spot without need for bonus point even!

Step one complete!!

 

[Ou grote]

Step one complete!!

Lions beat Stormers. Stormers stay out of top 4!

kuk plan

 

[LancelotSA]

kuk plan

Ok, you guys can get a draw and still stay in the top 4....

 

[Toffee]

Finding this all a little confusing! Just gonna wait for the Reds/Waratahs outcome and then I will do my calculations. I am confident the Stormers will win with a bonus point, so we will make it to the semi's, so you sardines will have to hold thumbs for that result!

 

[LancelotSA]

Finding this all a little confusing! Just gonna wait for the Reds/Waratahs outcome and then I will do my calculations. I am confident the Stormers will win with a bonus point, so we will make it to the semi's, so you sardines will have to hold thumbs for that result!

[DIG]

Does say a lot about the intelligence of the average Stormers fan!!! Ha ha ha ha

[/DIG]

 

[Ou grote]

[DIG]

Does say a lot about the intelligence of the average Stormers fan!!! Ha ha ha ha

[/DIG]

What if the Sharks lose?

 

[Toffee]

We have some less than intelligent supporters in the W/Cape, but they mostly live on the other side of the boerewors curtain (Northern Suburbs and Winelands). It is just that you can't just do the calculation you are working on a number of scenarios. I am not sure if playing last is an advantage or disadvantage for the Sharks. On one hand, you know what you have to do, but on the other hand it may be too late. If you played prior to the Stormers/Waratahs and won with a bonus point, that would put more pressure on the other teams. I believe Rassie is going to copy the Bulls tactic last year of showing the players a board in the changeroom depicting how many points they have to score. I am hoping that 2 SA teams make it.

 

[LancelotSA]

We have some less than intelligent supporters in the W/Cape, but they mostly live on the other side of the boerewors curtain (Northern Suburbs and Winelands). It is just that you can't just do the calculation you are working on a number of scenarios. I am not sure if playing last is an advantage or disadvantage for the Sharks. On one hand, you know what you have to do, but on the other hand it may be too late. If you played prior to the Stormers/Waratahs and won with a bonus point, that would put more pressure on the other teams. I believe Rassie is going to copy the Bulls tactic last year of showing the players a board in the changeroom depicting how many points they have to score. I am hoping that 2 SA teams make it.

Not sure I follow your logic here... you are saying it is advantageous for Rassie to be able to show the Stormers exactly what they need to do in the changeroom but playing last will not be of much benefit to the Sharks? Huh? Dick can do exactly the same thing with the Sharks and know for sure! Rassie will need to try and guess what the Sharks are going to do.

All you Stormers guys seem to forget that we have the same points as you! No matter what you do, we only have to do it by 9 points more to jump above you!! Easy maths really!!!

 

[aljulio]

Finding this all a little confusing! Just gonna wait for the Reds/Waratahs outcome and then I will do my calculations. I am confident the Stormers will win with a bonus point, so we will make it to the semi's, so you sardines will have to hold thumbs for that result!

lol bru that's so true...sardines.hehehe

We have some less than intelligent supporters in the W/Cape, but they mostly live on the other side of the boerewors curtain (Northern Suburbs and Winelands). It is just that you can't just do the calculation you are working on a number of scenarios. I am not sure if playing last is an advantage or disadvantage for the Sharks. On one hand, you know what you have to do, but on the other hand it may be too late. If you played prior to the Stormers/Waratahs and won with a bonus point, that would put more pressure on the other teams. I believe Rassie is going to copy the Bulls tactic last year of showing the players a board in the changeroom depicting how many points they have to score. I am hoping that 2 SA teams make it.

my theory is that once the stormers win their match and make it nearly impossible for the sharks to make it through you guys are gonna choke and the chiefs are gonna annihilate you,

 

[LancelotSA]

So Sharks need to get a bonus point, or win by 19 points (which would probably mean four tries anyway).... come on boys!!!