Sharks perfectly fine with underdog status against the Hurricanes

22 July 2016 - 17:55 By Craig Ray

The Sharks have been given no chance to cause a huge upset and beat the Hurricanes in Saturday’s Super Rugby quarterfinal in Wellington‚ and that’s just fine with them.

Gary Gold’s charges are unlikely to win the tournament‚ but they do have the potential to claim a big scalp this weekend – and that’s not wishful thinking. The Hurricanes are filled with stars from the brilliant Beauden Barrett at flyhalf‚ to hooker Dane Coles.They love to move the ball and feed off opponents’ mistakes‚ especially at the breakdown. Once they have quick turnover ball‚ they are almost impossible to stop.But the Sharks are one team that worries them because they don’t offer as many turnover chances. The Hurricanes want teams to carry ball at them. They’ve won 10 matches against sides that have made fewer kicks and more carries than they have.The Sharks rank second in kicks from hand and 17th in carries this season.They aren’t going to go running up blind alleys against the Hurricanes. The Sharks demonstrated this when they beat the Hurricanes 32-15 in Durban earlier in the year.In that match the Sharks kicked the pimples off the ball – 33 times it went skyward – and they forced twice as many turnovers as the Hurricanes. Things are different this time in that Hurricanes will be expecting the same and coach Chris Boyd would have come up with some tactics to combat the Sharks’ ‘little possession’ approach. Also‚ having the gameplan is one thing‚ but executing it accurately is another.Last time around the Sharks had Garth April pulling the tactical strings at flyhalf and he did it well for 53 minutes before Pat Lambie came on to close it out. This time they have the exciting but naïve Curwin Bosch on the bench as April’s back up and Gold will be hoping that there is no early injury at flyhalf. Bosch is a brilliant prospect‚ but asking him to tactically control a game of this magnitude is unfair.Still‚ he might be able to offer some x-factor off the bench in another backline position.Barring injury‚ expect April to play the full 80 minutes. As ever the breakdown will be key as it was an area the Sharks also dominated last time around.Hurricanes openside Ardie Savea was muted by the Sharks back row in May‚ but since he has become an All Black and his performances have grown on the back of that confidence. Given how crucial the breakdown battle will be‚ Gold has opted for Coenie Oosthuizen at tighthead‚ not because he is a strong scrummager‚ but because he’s like another looseforward over the ball. Oosthuizen has battled in the set-piece this season but when it comes to mobility and ability in the tight loose‚ he is a menace. Look out for Barrett’s mazy running and Coles popping up in wide channels in second and third phase. The Sharks have little going for them‚ but with some luck the Hurricanes might be slightly complacent regardless of the noises they have been making. That could be all the Sharks need. Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall‚ 14 Cory Jane‚ 13 Matt Proctor‚ 12 Willis Halaholo‚ 11 Jason Woodward‚ 10 Beauden Barrett‚ 9 TJ Perenara‚ 8 Victor Vito‚ 7 Ardie Savea‚ 6 Brad Shields‚ 5 Michael Fatialofa‚ 4 Vaea Fifita‚ 3 Ben May‚ 2 Dane Coles (captain)‚ 1 Loni Uhila. Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli‚ 17 Chris Eves‚ 18 Mike Kainga‚ 19 Mark Abbott‚ 20 Callum Gibbins‚ 21 Jamison Gibson-Park‚ 22 Vince Aso‚ 23 Julian Savea. Sharks: 15 Willie le Roux‚ 14 JP Pietersen‚ 13 Paul Jordaan‚ 12 Andre Esterhuizen‚ 11 Lwazi Mvovo‚ 10 Garth April‚ 9 Michael Claasens‚ 8 Philip van der Walt‚ 7 Jean-Luc du Preez‚ 6 Keegan Daniel‚ 5 Stephen Lewies‚ 4 Etienne Oosthuizen‚ 3 Coenie Oosthuizen‚ 2 Franco Marais‚ 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle‚ 17 Dale Chadwick‚ 18 Thomas du Toit‚ 19 Hyron Andrews‚ 20 Tera Mtembu‚ 21 Stefan Ungerer‚ 22 Curwin Bosch‚ 23 Odwa Ndungane. - TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.