Sharks swim to semi

21 July 2014 - 02:01 By Khanyiso Tshwaku
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Flyhalf Pat Lambie hasn't played with great authority
Flyhalf Pat Lambie hasn't played with great authority

The Sharks got out of jail on Saturday night through their tough 31-27 win against the Highlanders at King's Park, and director of rugby Jake White is supremely confident in his team's ability to win the competition.

While his forwards excelled, the Sharks backline misfired until Pat Lambie's late entrance breathed new life and lent stability to what was an unimaginative unit.

The fact that Lambie was back is not the source of White's confidence, but that his team has beaten the Waratahs and the Crusaders in the regular season.

The Sharks face the Crusaders in the first Super rugby semifinal on Saturday morning.

"It is knock-out rugby and what has happened before becomes immaterial. It's an 80-minute run and if we play well we can win, and I have to believe that.

"The Highlanders flew in from the other side of the world and came within four points of beating us. They came sixth on the log and we came third," White said.

"I am big on the fact that this group of players can beat anybody in the competition, and of the teams that are left in the competition we have beaten both of them. The Highlanders knew they could beat us because they came here a couple of months ago and they won."

The Sharks were without lock Stephan Lewies, who was a late withdrawal, but White said his team should have a clean bill of health aside from Anton Bresler, who looks to have seriously injured his ribs.

Tendai Mtawarira is still doubtful with a bulging disc, even though his absence has been offset by the excellent under-20 loosehead prop Thomas du Toit, who is only 19.

White hoped his team's ability to embrace different situations will work for them as it did on their Australasian tour, when they beat the Blues and the Crusaders in Albany and Christchurch on consecutive weekends.

"We have some great memories and a couple of months ago we did well and we had a great time.

"It has never been done that a team has to fly there and win a semifinal, so we might as well enjoy the 36 hours and have fun this week," White said.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph tried to hide his disappointment after running the Sharks close, but admitted that weak scrummaging hindered their progress.

Having lost twice to the Crusaders this year, Joseph seemed to take a patriotic view in terms of the Sharks' chances of beating the Crusaders in Christchurch, even though they pulled off the feat in the regular season.

Only five coaches have taken sides across the Indian Ocean and came back victorious in a Super rugby semifinal.

In White and Todd Blackadder the Sharks and the Crusaders have the men who have done the business on the road.

However, New Zealand teams have an unblemished home record in Super rugby semifinals against South African and Australian teams.

"You guys are playing the Crusaders and you have to fly around the world and do what we just did and they are pretty good as well.

"Setpiece-wise they are not so bad as well, so I think it will be a great game, but I think it will also be difficult," said the former All Blacks loose forward.

"All South African Super rugby teams are outstanding when it comes to scrumming, but I know we are better at other things and that is what you witnessed. On Saturday they will be facing a team that has a well-rounded game and I think it will be a ripper," he said.

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