Sharks seek victorious Reds send-off

ON Sunday the Sharks depart for Sydney and it goes without saying that it will be a calamity if they do not have at least four Super Rugby log points, packed in their luggage from tomorrow’s match against the Queensland Reds.

The Sharks urgently need a boost in morale ahead of their three-match tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Coach Robert du Preez describes the match against the Reds as, ‘an obsession’. Understandably so given what is at stake for the Durbanites.

They are under attack on all fronts after losing 51-17 to the Jaguares at Jonsson Kings Park and a second successive home defeat would mean a seriously dejected squad boarding that flight to Australia.

First up for the Sharks on tour are the Waratahs in Sydney, a location that has never been a happy hunting ground for South African Super Rugby teams.

It is certainly a bogey ground for the Sharks and they want to take on that challenge having been boosted by an impressive win over the Queenslanders, the arch rivals of the New South Wales team.

The Sharks then head for Christchurch and the multiple champions Crusaders, the toughest challenge in Super Rugby.

It is only mildly easier the following week when they tackle the Chiefs in Hamilton.

The Reds, meanwhile, have Wallaby, Sefa Naivalu, back on the right wing in one of three changes to their line-up to face the Sharks.

Naivalu, was rested last week in accordance with Rugby Australia’s workload management policy.

There are a further two changes to the pack as loosehead prop Harry Hoopert will earn his first Super Rugby start, replacing JP Smith.

Angus Scott-Young has been promoted off the bench and into the No 6 jersey, with Lukhan SalakaiaLoto shifting back to lock.