Time for a Shark attack
Plenty of bite needed from the pack to bully the Brumbies
ONE does not often associate physical grunt and abrasive brute power with Australian teams, but the view of the Sharks is that the Brumbies have a pack that will really test their ability to handle some pure brute strength.
The Sharks are traditionally a team that loves a bit of the physical stuff and are feared the world over for this.
The reputation stems from the days of Bismarck du Plessis, Willem Alberts and Frans Steyn. However, this crop of Sharks have been billed as an exciting group of talented backs, but does that forward grunt still remain?
The Lions were the first team to really put the Sharks to the sword as that facet of forward dominance, the scrum, was dominated with ease.
Now the Sharks will have to front up again to a side that packs some huge men in the tight five alone. Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa, as well as locks Sam Carter and Rory Arnold, are huge ball carriers for the Aussies and will test the resolve of the ruck defenders.
But what the Sharks do have in their favour is preparation. Through the week the talk, from players and coach, has been that the Brumbies are a big pack that like to truck the ball up. It will now be seen whether or not the likes of Beast Mtawarira, Thomas du Toit, Jacques Vermeulen, and especially Jean-Luc du Preez off the bench, can bully the Brumbies.
Vermeulen has proven himself to be a capable abrasive flank in the absence of Du Preez, but it will be Wian Vosloo, who debuted last week in spectacular fashion, who the Sharks will rely on to cause some damage up front, as well as in defence. Vosloo added 17 tackles and seven ball carries, with a turnover and a line break for good measure, against the Sunwolves.
The Sharks have decided to keep faith in the team that did the job against the Sunwolves by making only two changes – one on the wing, and at tighthead. Du Toit returns from a niggle and will add a lot of grunt up front, and Kobus van Wyk also adds an edge of physicality.
The game is gearing up to be a cracker. The Brumbies may not have had the best start, but they are not to be underestimated. At the same time, the Sharks have finally picked up some momentum and head into this tour with spirits high.
In the grand scheme of things as well, the Sharks need this win, and will know, without mentioning it, that this is probably shaping up to be their easiest game on tour. The usually unimpressive Rebels are taking the competition by storm having picked up maximum points in their first three games, then it is on to New Zealand to face the Blues, who beat the Lions at Ellis Park, and the Hurricanes.
A win in the first hit out for the Sharks will see them well poised to continue to be a threat on tour, and in the tournament as their start has been rocky and plagued with silly errors and decisions.
Forwards will certainly be key in this game, not only for the battle up front, but because the exciting backs that are billed in this side are all waiting for front-foot ball to get them firing.
There have been glimpses of a high work rate from the likes of André Esterhuizen and Lukhanyo Am, but they really are waiting for their forwards to put a shift in.