Sharks bank on tight five
Sharks coach Sean Everitt has inserted five new faces into his starting line-up as he looks to rotate his resources and spread playing opportunities, but it is the unchanged tight five that will probably hold the key to their fortunes in their Super Rugby match against the Reds in Brisbane today.
A new-look loose trio with Dylan Richardson and Henco Venter joining busy eighthman Sikhumbuzo Notshe will be interesting to see in action, but their chances of getting into the game depend greatly on whether the tight five can provide front-foot ball. Returning scrumhalf Louis Schreuder and outside backs Lukhanyo Am (above) and Lwazi Mvovo will also be reliant on momentum from up front.
There was a marked difference in performance against the Hurricanes when Everitt shuffled his tight five, but with an inexperienced but rapidly-developing Reds side’s strength being up front, he has returned to the tried-and-tested combination of Ox Nche, Kerron van Vuuren, Thomas du Toit, Ruben van Heerden and Hyron Andrews.
The Reds, coached by former All Blacks second-row workhorse Brad Thorn, are in the top-five teams in terms of scrum (97%), lineout (89%) and ruck (95%) success rates so the Sharks pack know they will have their work cut out for them.
“I’m obviously pleased with the improvements we’ve seen in our set-piece, having both Springbok props back does make a difference and it makes a world of difference giving away fewer penalties. But the subs came on last weekend and also did a good job, winning a very important scrum penalty against the Rebels, so they have improved. But the Reds have a formidable tight five that has scrummed well and we saw them give the Lions problems and last weekend the Sunwolves as well,” Everitt said.
Apart from gaining a forward platform, Everitt will also want the big boots of Curwin Bosch, Aphelele Fassi, Schreuder and Andre Esterhuizen to keep putting the Sharks in Reds territory.
Victory for the Sharks will move them into the top three on the log because the Crusaders, Brumbies and Chiefs all have byes this round, but it will also set them up beautifully for a crucial run of home games against the Jaguares, Stormers and Chiefs when they return to Durban tomorrow.