Sharks have nothing to lose

Ken Borland

Almost all observers have laughed off their chances, but the Sharks have promised that if they are to lose their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Crusaders in Christchurch today, then they will at least go down in exciting fashion.

The AMI Stadium is a daunting venue at the best of times for visiting teams, with the Crusaders unbeaten at home for two years, but Sharks coach Robert du Preez (above) has said his team have nothing to lose and will throw everything at the defending champions.

“It’s important to make sure that we don’t just defend, we have to get ball-in-hand and put some phases together.

“We must attack them, we have absolutely nothing to lose and every one of our players is really up for the match. Games in the past will not count for anything now.

“When we play as a team, that’s when this team really performs, it brings the best out of them and then anything can happen,” Du Preez said.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has, however, been able to recall some leading All Blacks for the final stages of their title defence.

All Black captain Kieran Read will once again pack down at the back of the scrum, having recovered form a hand injury suffered last weekend against the Blues, while hooker Codie Taylor, tighthead prop Owen Franks and lock Scott Barrett are all back in the starting line-up.

Tough man Ryan Crotty will also bring his considerable presence to midfield, having overcome his injury niggle from last weekend as well.

Coach Du Preez will be talking up the Sharks’ fighting spirit and the way they relish the underdog tag, and their most unfortunate one-point loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington suggests they will be able to mix it with the Crusaders.

But knocking the most consistent team in the competition out in the quarterfinals would be one of the biggest upsets in Super Rugby play-off history.

Kick-off: 9.35am.

We have to get ballin-hand and put some phases together.

Robert du Preez Sharks coach