Sharks vs Resurgent Pumas (aka JAguars)

Kick off

That looked sore by Diesel. Looked like just an unfortunate landing. 

 Saw the last 15 minutes, what an arm wrestle....and what a disastrous decision by the Pumas subbing Herrera. That set up the last Sharks scrum which won the game in effect. Still not an easy kick for Lambie under the circumstances.

I honestly thought the Sharks might lose this....the Jags are physical enough to take away a lot of the Sharks weapons and the travel after the huge Canes effort was brutal. They will be vulnerable again next weekend.

 The Shark s won - but the victory was undeserved - they were not the better team. 

It looked like a Jake White game plan on defence. Physical flat in your face stuff.
Lambie was solid- but the backline never got going much

Congrats to the Sharks but it's a win that left me disappointed for the Jags.
Here's my take on the game & how it bodes for "Traditional SA" rugby:
Summary of stats on issue:
1. the Jags had plenty of attack2. Sharks had a great defense3. Kicking in play was not a factor (however doesn't show the effectiveness of kicks)4. Sharks capitalized on poor discipline of Jags & kicked 6 of 7 (was it the refs faults?)
5. Sharks did not dominate the breakdowns, or set plays (didn't achieve Trad rugby goal here).

Conclusion: 
1. another heart breaker for the Jags, they let themselves down with poor discipline but this could have been because of the pressure of the sharks.2. Good defence, pressure & field position can win games if the opposition is ill disciplined but it's not the rugby I like to watch.3. Although not all the elements of "trad SA rugby" were in this game (set piece not dominated) SA may have the players available to achieve more of this at the Bok level. Time will tell. 

Jags vs. Sharks Stats – NZ Herald / SANZAR Site

 

Jags

Sharks

Attack

 

 

Tries

3

1

Meters gained

480

233

Carries

135                     

71

Defender beaten

21

4

Clean breaks

10

0

Passes

145

82

Offloads

9

11

Turnovers conceded

21

7

 

 

 

Defence

 

 

Tackles

72

136

Missed Tackles

4

21

Turnovers won

6

8

 

 

 

Kicking

 

 

Kicks in Play

18

16

Penalty goals

1/2

6/7

 

 

 

Breakdown

96

50

Rucks won

94%

94%

Rucks lost

6

3

Mauls won

1

2

 

 

 

Set plays

 

 

Lineouts won

7

7

Lineouts lost

2

1

Scrums won

9

9

 

 

 

Discipline

 

 

Penalties conceded

11

10

Red cards

0

0

Yellow cards

1

1

 

 Citing commission has cited two Jags for foul play, dangerous tackle & biting. Things keep getting worse for the jags