Sharks do the hapless blues

Following on from the fine example set by the Mighty Stormers the Sharks got their act together and scoed 60 odd points against Cloudy's blues:

A commanding performance by the two Du Preez brothers – Robert and Jean-Luc – put the Blues to the sword as the Cell C Sharks scored their biggest-ever win over the New Zealand franchise, winning a 12-try thriller 63-40 in Auckland on Saturday.

Both teams scored six tries apiece, but the boot of the older Robert du Preez was the difference, as he racked up 38 points through a try, seven penalties and six conversions as the Sharks broke all manner of records in New Zealand.

The points aggregate was the highest ever between the two sides, while the 63 points well-eclipses the 41 they put up in 2001.

And while Robert was putting up the points, Jean-Luc put up a performance that would have made the Springbok selectors sit up and notice. Physically powerful, destructive and always going forward, the younger Du Preez was a thorn in the side of the Blues pack, scored a beautiful try and made another with his bullocking play.

FINDING THEIR POWER AND PACE

But to leave this all down to two players would be an injustice to a Sharks outfit that found their power and pace on a weekend when they were written off across the country. After some frustrating weeks of being nowhere near their best, they reminded the country just how good they could be. (Ie playing more to their potential as noted by Beeno at begining of season)

With their pack dominating the setpieces and rumbling forward in the maul, they created a perfect platform for Du Preez to weave his magic for the backline and they responded in kind. One of the standout features of the win was the interplay between forwards and backs and the offloads that the Sharks employed to countlessly get over the gainline.

There was a period when the victory looked unlikely though, as they let a 26-7 lead slip just after halftime when S’bu Nkosi was yellow carded for a high tackle. That period saw the Blues hit back with three tries to lead 28-26 when Nkosi returned. But back to full complement the Sharks simply didn’t look back.

The game started off with the Durban side dominating early proceedings, with Du Preez putting them ahead with a penalty before Jean-Luc du Preez engineered a turnover in the Blues 22, then broke from the scrum and powered through a tackle to offload to Ruan Botha who powered his way over the line.

ONE OF THE BEST TRIES OF THE SEASON

Another Rob du Preez penalty five minutes later put the Sharks 13 points ahead but the Blues hit back with one of the best tries of the season, going the length of the field before Michael Collins went over to score.

Three more points by Rob Du Preez’ boot kept the Sharks in front and they went further out on the half-hour mark when Andre Esterhuizen broke the first line of defence, shook off a tackle and offloaded to Jean-Luc du Preez to power over to score. Another penalty before halftime put the Sharks 26-7 out at the break.

The yellow card came in the 43rd minute of the game and left the Sharks one short. A minute later Akira Ioane was on the end of the attack to finish off the move for a try he was earlier denied and the Blues came back into the game.

Patrick Tuipoluto broke through the middle of half tackles from Esterhuizen and Botha to run 20 metres to score two minutes later and flyhalf Stephen Perofeta danced his way through the defence for the third try in eight minutes to give his side a rare lead in the contest.

DOMINANCE RESTORED

A break by Rob du Preez with the Sharks back to 15 restored their dominance, as he took the space before offloading to Tera Mtembu to score. Another big run by Jean-Luc four minutes later popped the ball to Stephan Lewies, who took it beautifully to canter towards the line before putting Rob du Preez over for the try.

Another penalty by Du Preez powered the Sharks closer to the win, but they were handed more advantage when Blues winger Jordan Trainor took out Nkosi in the air from the kickoff and was given a yellow for his troubles.

Du Preez added another three points before a beautiful half intercept by Lukhanyo Am, who read matters perfectly and got the luck when the ball went straight down, led to replacement Kobus van Wyk heading over in the corner.

Rieko Ioane and George Moala scored late tries to make the scoreline look better for the Blues, but they were well beaten in the contest. And when Curwin Bosch added the last try way after the hooter sounded, it capped off a magical night for the Sharks.

Scorers

Blues – tries: Michael Collins, Akira Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu, Stephen Perofeta, Rieko Ioane, George Moala;Conversions: Perofeta (5)

Cell C Sharks – tries: Ruan Botha, Jean-Luc du Preez, Terra Mthembu, Robert du Preez, Kobus van Wyk, Curwin Bosch; Conversions: Robert du Preez (6). Penalties: Robert du Preez (7)

The poor performance of the Blues once again underlines the idea that a good player (Tana Umaga) will not necessarily be a good coach.

I think there are too many comments on the poor performance of the Blues and too few about the change in the Sharks iro performance and approach to the game.   The first time this year they played positive rugby and it show in the results.   I was surprised by the win of the Sharks and more so by the victory margin 

However, there next game is against he Hurricanes and if they keep that level going - it may be harder than the Hurricanes imagine it would be.

Mozart

You are clueless as per normal - the Ioane brothers are AB's and fact is the Blues has a solid team and should do better.

Now suddenly defense stats are all that are used - where are the remainder of the stats?   Misleading comments from somebody who never saw the game.    

Mozart

You are clueless as per normal - the Ioane brothers are AB's and fact is the Blues has a solid team and should do better.

Now suddenly defense stats are all that are used - where are the remainder of the stats?   Misleading comments from somebody who never saw the game.    

They played attacking rugby and did all their kicks and in the second half when they leaked 2 easy tries they didn't close up like a clam... they hit back and scored tries...they took their 3-pointers too and got them over.

That's the way they must play in future , to their strengths...Robert Senior is NOT a pub coach as poster Shark thoughtlessly implied ...well done Sharks.

On the 18th March, Plum wrote in Lions versus Sunwolves........

"The Lions, due to the way they've been playing the last few years have allowed teams to score against them. It was not a problem because when a team scores 25 points over 80 mins, the Lions will have scored 40-50 or more. Thus appearing to comprehensively outplayed opposition in all departments. And all you read were footnotes about the defensive lapses while all the glory went to the plethora of tries.

In games this year, the points against the Lions have been on par with previous years but the Lions ability to score has diminished. 

Calling for them to focus on defense means they now need to focus on both attack and defense as opposed to just sorting their attack out, improving their game management and then relying on denying opposition any ball and scoring points while doing so."

I believe this is the way both the Lions and the Sharks must be coached...to play their STRENGTHS and not clam up defensively but meet opposition blow for blow...try for try.

Yes, it's high risk rugby but it works more times than not and when it works it creates a confident side and rugby that every one enjoys...fortune always favours the BOLD.