Sharks Supporters Thread

Sharks 28 - 6 Leopards after 22 minutes.
Already have the 4 tries for the bonus point.
 
yeah this is basically a free-will game imo ...... just try new moves and combos for the remaining big games.
 
Must be careful of injuries. Already have Alberts off with a knock to the knee. Keegan Daniel also down.
 
Well done boys, that's the way to approach a game!

I think we are ready for the semis now.. Blixem Craig Burden is quick, looks like a wing at times.
 
That is because he started his career at wing with the Sharks.

He only moved to the front row later.
 
Ruan finds his feet in 1st game for his new club

Ulster 19 Glasgow 17

Ulster's new high-profile scrum-half Ruan Pienaar enjoyed a memorable unveiling at Ravenhill tonight, putting on an inspirational display to claim all the home points in the 19 -17 defeat of a spirited Glasgow Warriors side.

Other changes to the line-up which drew last week at Connacht saw the season début of Simon Danielli at left-wing, the return of Niall O'Connor at out-half, and multiple changes in the second and back rows, with Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Pedrie Wannenburg and Robbie Diack all earning a place in the starting XV. Also notable tonight was a century of caps for Ulster captain Rory Best.

It took Pienaar all of 90 seconds to make an impression in his new home, trying his luck with a penalty attempt from well inside the Ulster half. The ambitious long-distance kick missed by only the narrowest of margins, but the Springbok scrum-half had already earned his first Ravenhill round of applause for the sheer audacity of his effort.

Duncan Weir gave Glasgow the lead on nine minutes with a penalty of his own, this one from a considerably more realistic distance clear of the Ulster 10-metre line. Worst still followed for Ulster 10 minutes later when a Glasgow clearance kick, again from Weir, popped out of Andrew Trimble's grasp and into the grateful hands of Daniel Van Der Merwe. The Canadian wing had the pace to make it to the line unopposed and, although the conversion missed, the Scots had a healthy lead at Ulster 0 Glasgow 8.

Pienaar atoned for his earlier miss on 15 minutes with a penalty which he clipped in off the left upright, and with the Scots penalised again three minutes later for coming in from the side, Ulster varied their approach with O'Connor kicking for touch. Despite good pressure from the line-out, Glasgow kept the Ulstermen at bay and, with the Scots soon penalised for offside, Pienaar struck again to shorten the gap at Ulster 6 Glasgow 8.

Ulster had the wind in their sails, and the Ruan Pienaar show continued on 25 minutes when the impressive Springbok picked up from a forceful Ulster drive and showed quick feet - and even quicker hands - to weave his way into the corner for his first try in the white and red jersey. The debutant converted his own score to propel his new team into the lead at Ulster 13 Glasgow 8, although Weir rapidly clawed three points back with a penalty after an errant drop goal attempt.

Pienaar almost broke through again five minutes before the break when his quickfire dummy on the Warriors' 22 fooled some - but not all - members of the Glaswegian rearguard, but the last minutes of the half were played out in the Ulster half, where Weir eventually added his third penalty of the evening to put his side one point up at the break.

Half-Time Score Ulster 13 Glasgow 14

Ulster started the second period with good possession and won a 43rd-minute penalty which Pienaar slotted home, with a little help from the crossbar, to redress the balance in their favour. Weir then emulated Pienaar's long-range attempt from the first period, putting over an exemplary kick from deep in his own half and edging his team back into the lead at Ulster 16 Glasgow 17.

With 25 minutes remaining, it was time for one side or the other to stamp its authority on the tie, which Ulster endeavoured to do with a Trimble raid down the right wing. After kicking on, the speedy winger appeared to be intentionally blocked and bundled out of play by Richie Vernon. Referee Stefano Penne, after consulting his touch-judge, declined to show Vernon a card, but duly awarded the penalty, which Ulster's new No. 9 steered agonisingly wide from the Glasgow 22.

On 65 minutes Weir attempted another extravagant penalty - this time from behind his own 10-metre line - but he too drove marginally off-target, much to the relief of the Ravenhill faithful. Ulster continued to chase the game and eventually earned a 70th-minute penalty which they elected to put into the corner.

The resulting line-out was won, but despite the Ulster forwards' best efforts, their pummelling drives were resisted time and again by the dogged Glasgow defence. Pragmatism was the order of the day when, after several blighted Ulster attempts to push over for the try, Glasgow infringed once more and Pienaar was on hand to kick his team back into the lead at Ulster 19 Glasgow 17.

Victory could have been confirmed two minutes from time with a final penalty, but Pienaar's kick from inside the 22 thudded off the upright and out of play. Glasgow were unable to win back the ball from the restart however, and the clock wound down to zero with Ulster camped in Warriors territory.

Full-Time Score Ulster 19 Glasgow 17
 
No. Our strongest XV must play so that they can get used to playing together as a team again!

Disagree - sharks should field a "B" team so that province can get used to finishing the season second thanks to the generosity of other teams and not their skill!
:)
 
Nah, full strength is has to be ..... I don't believe in 'B' teams, never have and never will. Besides, I'd rather face the Bulls in a Final than in a Semi.
 
Nah, full strength is has to be ..... I don't believe in 'B' teams, never have and never will. Besides, I'd rather face the Bulls in a Final than in a Semi.

Two years ago I paid good money for that final and as He is my witness, I will do so again in a heartbeat. Even though we lost, that trip to Durban, the game, the running out of beer (I drank their last bottle of red wine consoling myself), everything - WHAT A RUSH!!!!


This time, we'll bring the silverware with, let you all look at it, and take it straight back home! I do so hope that this final happens.....
 
Sharks are the best team of 2010. The title of Champions should be given to the side finishing top of the table (as it is with the EPL).

Finals are a joke. Especially given the propensity for referees to fark them up. 2007 will never be forgotten or forgiven.
 
Sheesh, I don't even wanna think who the refs are gonna be for the semi's and final this year .......
 
Nah, full strength is has to be ..... I don't believe in 'B' teams, never have and never will. Besides, I'd rather face the Bulls in a Final than in a Semi.

It's not about being a "B" team or anything, I think its about tactics. Its hard to decide.

If you don't rest your key players, they can get tired & start playing "badly" or pick up an injury much easier. Then you can count them out for Semi's or Finals.

OR

You could rest them but then they could lose momentum cos its not easy to take a week off & come back on top form from the whistle.

So, its kind of a catch 22. I personally was looking forward to the Bulls vs Province game the entire S14 but then so many guys were rested I was not happy but it paid off in the end. Its not the easiest decision in my books.
 
Luckily we have Beast and Bizzy coming back this week so we can afford to rest one or two guys. I read that Alberts, Sykes and Daniels will be rested but then again, it may just be smoke and mirrors.
 
Putting the Springbok players back in at the business end of the competition is a bad move, imo. It shreds team morale to pieces when you have worked your butt off to get to a final but you then have to give up your place to a player who would prefer to be playing in the national colours.
 
Putting the Springbok players back in at the business end of the competition is a bad move, imo. It shreds team morale to pieces when you have worked your butt off to get to a final but you then have to give up your place to a player who would prefer to be playing in the national colours.

I agree with the former sentiment regarding it being a little unfair to the players that have been there all year. I do not, however, agree with the insinuations about playing in national colours. First every player aspires to play for his country but secondly most of those players probably relish the opportunity to play for their provinces and with their mates again.
 
If it were not for the national players then the provinces would not be able to attract all the sponsorships and advertisers. It is sad that the "dirt trackers" have to take the back seat when the Boks are back, but that is the way it has always been.

Modern rugby is obviously different as the players are playing far more games per season, but it is essential that your national players play provincial rugby at every possible opportunity.

How else is a young up-and-coming player going to "make his bones" or prove that he has what it takes at that level and potentially at a higher level?
 
Our log leaders not doing well at half time. At this stage WP just look simply better than we do.
 
Lol nice confidence boost you got yourselves for the semi-final boys :D
 
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