‘Sharks can expect a humdinger’
Cheetahs at full strength for Bloem clash Barrett on song in Crusaders win
WE CAN take it as read that all players’ ears have been hotly warmed in both the Sharks and Cheetahs camps ahead of today’s big Super Rugby derby clash in Bloemfontein (5.15pm).
And this one, according to Sharks coach Robert du Preez, is going to be a humdinger not unlike the Cheetahs-Bulls confrontation in Bloem in round two when the host team outlasted the visitors.
The Sharks are coming off a win that could well have been a loss to a Kings team that many are targeting for demotion from Super Rugby,
Yet, with no resources, the Kings came with nine minutes of beating a Sharks team that had all the resources in the world, and had a fantastic pre-season campaign.
The Cheetahs in turn have gone downhill since beating the Bulls and latterly underwent a 40-point walloping against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last week.
There does appear to be a better balance to the Sharks’ backline now that Clement Poitrenaud has been declared fit to take up his place at fullback, while Curwin Bosch comes in at flyhalf, where he will need to take control of proceedings.
The Cheetahs have also returned to full strength after last weekend’s disaster in Argentina, while receiving a considerable boost in props Ox Nche, wing Raymond Rhule, flank Nico Lee, centre Francois Venter and wing Sergeal Petersen, all back from injury.
Interestingly, the Sharks have won eight of their last 11 games against the Cheetahs, including each of their last two in which they’ve conceded a total of 20 points, and their defence will again need to be at its best today
This is a game in which it is hard to pick the winner, but with home ground advantage the Cheetahs may just edge it given that they will be confident, and can replicate the intensity they would have brought to the Bulls match in round two.
The Cheetahs were walloped by the Jaguares in Argentina, the Sharks bordered on pathetic before scrambling to a win in Durban against the Kings.
So which side will pitch for the 5pm kick-off today? The Cheetahs that were outstanding in the intensity they brought to beat the Bulls in the Free State capital in round two or the Sharks who were superb in beating the Brumbies in Canberra and then Waratahs in Durban?
“I’d say on both sides of the camp, all players have been revved up and the match is going to be a cracker between two sides determined to show they are the real deal,” Du Preez said. “We were not happy with that performance at home against the Kings before close to 20 000 people. We have put it behind us, we are energised, our meetings and practices have been short and sweet and we ready to go.”
Du Preez has dropped last week’s debutant flyhalf, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, for Curwin Bosch, who is free to move up from fullback to flyhalf because Clement Poitrenaud is over a groin injury and is able to resume in the No 15 jersey.
“It was very hard to drop Benhard after just one game,” Du Preez said of the 20-year-old. “I do not like doing this. This game is very important for us, and Curwin has been playing there all the time and giving us good reward.
“While I am very happy with Curwin to be there, last week it would have been difficult for Benhard or any other 10 to play well and give us shape on attack given that we did not perform up front, especially in the set phases.
“We will hear a lot more about Benhard and he will spend time now in the SA U-20 squad. That name is not going to go away,” Du Preez added.
“It is exciting to have him and Inny Radebe going forward.”
Interesting, Du Preez added that it was his fervent hope that a successor to the old Vodacom Cup would emerge to give game time to the players in his greater squad.
“We need to get another competition running concurrently with Super Rugby,” he said. It is a big a frustration for coaches and players.”
Du Preez has refreshed his front row for the match against the Cheetahs, bringing back rested contracted Springboks in props Coenie Oosthuizen and Tendai Mtawarira.
Former Bok Chiliboy Ralepelle continues at hooker because of an ongoing injury to Franco Marias.
“We are at full strength for a hugely important game,” said Du Preez. “We know the Cheetahs will be playing that great brand of rugby they played to beat the Bulls, and we have to be ready for that, and then go one better.” CHRISTCHURCH: Scott Barrett underlined his versatility that should make All Blacks coach Steve Hansen take notice as he produced a tireless effort at blindside flank in the Canterbury Crusaders’ 45-17 Super Rugby win over the Western Force yesterday.
Barrett, who played four Tests for New Zealand at lock last year, scored a try and impressed with his work-rate on attack and defence in the No 6 jersey as the Crusaders won their fifth successive game.
Digby Ioane, Matt Todd, Luke Romano, Codie Taylor, David Havili and Ben Funnell also crossed for the home side with flyhalf Mitch Hunt slotting four conversions, while replacement Marty McKenzie added another.
Wingers Alex Newsome and Chance Peni crossed for the Force with flyhalf Jonno Lance converting both tries and adding a penalty.
The match failed to really get any flow with persistent rain in the second half and referee Rohan Hoffmann growing increasingly frustrated with both side’s scrums and issued a succession of penalties and sinbinned replacement Crusaders prop Tim Perry.
The Crusaders have had to overcome large deficits in the second half of their last three matches but yesterday they scored four tries in the first 30 minutes.
Ioane opened the scoring after two minutes when scrumhalf Mitchell Drummond exploited a gap from a ruck on halfway before Todd forced the ball at the base of the post for his team’s second try.
As was typical for much of the game, the Force refused to allow the Crusaders get too far ahead when winger Newsome intercepted a loose pass and sprinted 60 metres to reduce the gap to 14-10.
The Crusaders then produced a double strike when Barrett barrelled over following an attacking lineout while Romano pounced on the ball over the line to score a try with the Force players dithering about what to do.
The Force again reduced the deficit on the stroke of halftime when right winger Peni crossed after a succession of attacking scrums to make his side realise they were still in the game at 28-17 down.
Persistent rain in the second half, however, turned the match into a dour arm wrestle and Taylor’s 49th minute try ensured the home side were unlikely to be caught.
The Crusaders then exploited their own man advantage in the final 10 minutes when Force flanker Isa Naisarani was sinbinned with Havili and Funnell scoring.
Centre David Horwitz weaved through the Melbourne Rebels’ defence for a dramatic winning try in the final seconds as the NSW Waratahs overturned a 19-point deficit in the second half to snap a three-game losing streak with a 32-25 win in Melbourne later yesterday. – Reuters