Sharks face Crusaders in Super Rugby semis
THE Sharks survived, but only just, as a feisty Highlanders with nothing to lose nearly denied them a Super Rugby semifinal spot.
There was confusion over the time taken in Frans Steyn’s 79th-minute penalty as Steve Walsh asked the timekeeper to reset the clock to 79:02.
However, the clock ticked on and the Sharks stole the precious seconds that allowed them to book a clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
After a stop-start, but passionate, performance from his team, Sharks director of rugby Jake White said: “We know that if we can play well enough, we can beat the Crusaders. For me, it is about getting us to Christchurch.
“How many All Blacks they have will be meaningless. I believe these boys can beat anybody in the competition, and we have beaten the teams who finished above us.”
The garrulous Du Plessis brothers, Jannie and captain Bismarck, have earned them- selves a reputation as back-chatters. But they met their match in the equally gabby referee, Steve Walsh, yesterday.
The Sharks scrummed the Highlanders into the Indian Ocean and it came as no surprise that their first try, scored by Marcell Coetzee from a rolling maul, originated from a scrum penalty.
Aside from Tonderai Chavhanga’s breakaway try in the 56th minute, the Sharks used the scrum to good effect early in the second half and Bismarck du Plessis contentiously dotted the ball down.
But that was as good as it got for the Sharks, whose poor ball security and defence and ludicrous kicks allowed the visitors to score tries they had no business getting.
Malakai Fekitoa was always going to be a handful and it did not come as a shock when he scored the Highlanders’ first try, taking advantage of a static Sharks defence.
JP Pietersen was at fault and his experiment at outside centre needs to end as the Highlanders, with their crackerjack backline, exposed his positional limitations and lack of communication with the backline.
Even though the Highlanders forwards were on the back foot, they were able to create magic through fullback Ben Smith and scrumhalf Aaron Smith.
But prop Kane Hames scored a try on the stroke of half time.
A team with lesser composure and character would have faltered in the face of the spirited Highlanders.