Sharks solid as a rock

22 March 2016 - 02:14 By Khanyiso Tshwaku

Gary Gold's Sharks are doing an excellent job of keeping the opposition away from their try line. In their four matches, the Sharks' determined defence has been nothing short of amazing.With the Stormers smartly out-muscling the Brumbies on Saturday, the Sharks' defensive efforts over the past fortnight have been magnified.Their improvement in this department cannot be overlooked. This time last year, conceding tries was a costly past-time.It is amazing how rapidly things change in a space of a year.The Crusaders will ask different questions on Easter Saturday at King's Park.They could probably provide the most accurate assessment in terms of how Gold's unit has advanced defensively.During the 52-10 Easter Saturday massacre last year on April 4, the Sharks were at King's Park in body, but not in mind.The game was a lesson in how not to defend, how to attack and to keep your mental pulse in check when the superior team is running riot.Jean Deysel's needless red card and the subsequent seven- week suspension is not something that will be forgotten very easily.A repeat of last year's freak show is highly unlikely with the Sharks' much-changed mindset, even though they themselves could do with more tries.While the Crusaders have started the tournament better than they have in the past, they provide the Sharks with their best opportunity to score their second bonus point.With eight tries conceded in three matches, they are defensively sound compared to their compatriots.However, three tries were scored by the Southern Kings, who are threadbare in attack, on Saturday morning.Their lapses were offset by the eight they scored, but the Sharks will take note of what happened in Christchurch.While the Kings only had a cumulative 230m, their three-tries return from that paltry territorial margin was impressive.When the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 27-21 in round one, David Rennie's explosive team managed an incredible 553m, while the Crusaders only had 361m.In short, teams that run at the Crusaders and keep the ball away from them win, especially as the visitors have shown an inability to play without the ball.This Crusaders unit may be finding form earlier than normal, but they are far from invincible...

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