Sharks ready to rumble
Sharks not ready for Lions repeat
THE last time the Sharks and the Lions met at Kings Park, the hosts were given a bit of a rugby lesson. Outplayed in many aspects of the game, including the scrum, it was a humiliating loss for coach Gary Gold and his team, even though the score was only 9-24.
This time round (5.10pm) the task looks even bigger, judging by how the Lions have grown as a team, and as individuals, but Gold has learnt from his mistakes.
Once bitten, twice shy, the Sharks are far better prepared heading to Johannesburg for what many of the players are calling a final, because of the need for points in the run-up to the play-off stages.
A few injuries, and a suspension, have seen the Sharks shuffle their backline a bit, with the impressive Garth April getting another shot in the No 10 jersey for the concussed Pat Lambie, and Odwa Ndungane filling in for the suspended Willie le Roux.
There were concerns about André Esterhuizen and an injury he suffered in training, but there has been no word on his unavailability to play today.
“There were factors, and information, in both our game against the Lions and the Lions against the Hurricanes that we noted,” said Gold.
“In fact, over the break we did a lot of analysis of the 12 rounds of rugby and we have seen some interesting trends coming out. There are some great lessons that we have learnt.”
Although that first game against the Lions looked woeful for the men in black and white, Gold was a little more optimistic this week, picking out some things that had gone their way against a Lions team that has not often been bested.
“There are some interesting things that have come up from the Lions analysis, in terms of where we think they have the upper hand,” Gold said.
“Even in the 24-9 defeat there were some things we did well. There were also things we did really badly, like scrumming, but there were things we were pleased with, believe it or not.”
The Lions are riding high in Super Rugby and their players know deep down that they were the deciding factor in the Springboks’ narrow series win against the Irish.
So even if Gold believes he has figured out a plan for them, it will still be tough to get a positive result.
“It’s one thing to learn the lessons and to know – and I’m comfortable with our preparation – but we have to go and execute it against a team that play at a huge pace and force you into errors,” he said.
“Coupled with that, they’re going to be high on confidence. It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re up for it.”
The strengths of the Lions this season have been their front row, which dismantled the Sharks last time out, and their tireless loose forwards.
However, Lions coach Johan Ackermann has had to rearrange his loose forwards for this match, with inspirational captain Warren Whiteley out of the mix.
His son, Ruan Ackermann, will take the No 8 jersey, with Jaco Kriel picking up the leadership role.
The Sharks, on the other hand, have a good balance in their loose forwards. The tireless Philip van der Walt will pack down at No 8, with JeanLuc du Preez beside him (while brother Daniel du Preez continues to recover from injury). Former captain Keegan Daniel completes the trio.
This battle of the loosies could be decisive come 5pm.