Sharks unchanged for quarter-final
Sharks head coach Robert du Preez has been able to name a completely unchanged 23 for tonight’s Super Rugby quarter-final clash with the Crusaders.
A good effort against the Jaguares at Kings Park last weekend saw the Sharks through to the knockout stage courtesy of an eighth place finish.
Assistant coach Dick Muir, speaking from the team’s base in Christchurch said: “There’s a lot of excitement, the team had a long haul getting to Christchurch but everyone is in good spirits. We’re coming off a good win and the team is ready to have a go.” The big games, particularly against New Zealand sides, have brought out the best in the Sharks this season and Muir expects nothing different on Saturday against the Crusaders.
“Absolutely, they have the players but our expectations are pretty high as we get to the business end of the competition,” he added. “Not too many people are giving us a chance so it’s a great opportunity to prove them wrong.”
Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira will play his 150th Super Rugby game in a Sharks jersey. He holds the record for being the most capped Super Rugby player for a single province and is just behind Adriaan Strauss, who is the most capped South African Super Rugby player with 156.
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (c), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Makazole Mapimpi..
Sydney:
Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has made just one change to his starting line-up for their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium tonight.
Alex Newsome will start on the right wing in place of Cam Clark, who moves to the bench.
Coach Gibson said: “Alex has been impressive the last few games in terms of impact off the bench. He really deserves a start, he has earned that. Every time he has touched the ball he has really added, he’s exciting. He has some excellent wingers he is going to be up against but we know he can do the job there.
“The Highlanders are a very clever team, trying different stuff and exciting to watch. A lot of our preparation has been about how to prevent that. We have an excellent attack and for us we need to ensure that our defence is solid and making sure that we don’t concede tries as well,” he added. Waratahs hooker Damien Fitzpatrick will play his 50th match for New South Wales and is three caps away from a half century of Super Rugby games.
15 Israel Folau, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley (c), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Will Miller, 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson
16 Tolu Latu, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Cameron Clark, 23 Bryce Hegarty.