Sharks Vs Brumbies - S15 Rd 5

[Scrubber2050]

Brums have played so very very well so far - reckon they ambushed the Reds (and deservedly won)
Their game strategy is excellant - kick the leather and force the error. That and the dominance of Moggy.
Benny A is also an integral part of the group - plays 80 with a great motor for that 80. Palmer good at scrumtime but can only go for 50.
They are the Oz team to beat - reckon the next 2 weeks will be disappointing for them in Africa, especially without Pocock

 

[humanbeast]

Tough call, if it was in canberra I'd say brumbies all the way but travel and hostile saffa crowd, brums by 1

 

[Brisbok]

Tough call, if it was in canberra I'd say brumbies all the way but travel and hostile saffa crowd, brums by 1

Got it! If it was in Canberra then Brums, if it was in Durban then Brums.

 

[Blue]

Looks like Daniel is back. Better back row with him in it.

The Sharks front 5 has been immensely physical and this is where I think they will have the edge. I am not saying the Brums pack are soft, but the way the Sharks pack has been laying into people plus the home crowd just gives them the edge. And Lambie is kicking beautifully.

Hairs breath for the Guppies.

Bloody cracker this is going to be anyway. Can't wait. Hope they hurt each other good and plenty so they're nice and soft for the Pink Bollock Boys.

 

[Paradox]

Blue, how has the Sharks scrum been going? I read they get pinged off the park against the Kings

 

[Slim 293]

Unlike Newlands, Durban hasn't really been a happy hunting ground for the Brumbies in recent years.....

I think this will be a close match whichever way it goes.........

 

[qwerty51]

Blue, how has the Sharks scrum been going? I read they get pinged off the park against the Kings

Yep and Plumtree ain't happy about it and thinks the Brumbies are scrummaging illegally. Has had a word to Kaplan.

 

[Paradox]

Yep and Plumtree ain't happy about it and thinks the Brumbies are scrummaging illegally. Has had a word to Kaplan.

Kaplan...arghhh. All hope is now gone.

 

[Slim 293]

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistants: Craig Joubert and Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee

The Brumbies just have to remember to keep playing when those knock are, uh, "missed".........

 

[Blue]

Blue, how has the Sharks scrum been going? I read they get pinged off the park against the Kings

I think it looks the strongest I have ever seen it. During last year's playoffs Jannie du Plessis played the best rugby I have ever seen him play. He was dominating.(And let me say that I have never been a fan).

They made complete mush of the Kings front row but Jafta pinged them four times for fuck knows what. Apparently he admitted afterwards that he may have got it wrong. Scary thing is they still get Bismarck back. burden at hooker was a winger not too long ago.

Plum is just playing games. I am sure he knows he has nothing but Jake is the great stirrer so Plum is just getting it in early. I think the scrums will be even but it's at the collision where the Sharks look bloody good. Franco vd Merwe has been a a huge addition in this regard and young Pieter Steph du Toit comes on with 20 to go and makes a big difference (this is the guy who I reckon will take over the bok no 5 jersey by 2015 next to his mate Elizabeth).

 

[Blue]

Kaplan.arghhh. All hope is now gone.

His stats are a bit better with the Brums than the Tahs if I am not mistaken? Like 10% as opposed to 5%

 

[Slim 293]

I'd certainly rather have Kaplan in South Africa than Steve Walsh anywhere.........

 

[BDA]

The Brumbies just have to remember to keep playing when those knock are, uh, "missed"...

Ow I remember that. What a travesty. seriously that could have been the worst call of all time. It resulted in the Brumbies losing that match, and ultimately missing the finals (although they really didn't deserve to make the finals last year).

This is a bit off topic but I find it very hard to comprehend that so many inter-pool matches have non-neutral referees. surely this can easily be avoided. Neutral referees are generally less like to get caught up in the moment.

 

[Troy]

Steve Walsh is reffing the 6 nations decider this weekend EngvWal so Slim you can rest easy.

England weren't to pleased with Jouberts reffing of the scrum last weekend, he was waiting and eternity before calling set (or sit for the kiwi's) still I guess all refs have there good and bad days and in general Walsh is reffing well. Definatley nowhere near the worst..

 

[Dean Hyde]

Ow I remember that. What a travesty. seriously that could have been the worst call of all time. It resulted in the Brumbies losing that match, and ultimately missing the finals (although they really didn't deserve to make the finals last year).

This is a bit off topic but I find it very hard to comprehend that so many inter-pool matches have non-neutral referees. surely this can easily be avoided. Neutral referees are generally less like to get caught up in the moment.

Agree.

Isn't Kaplan from Durban? Surely this has to be avoided.

 

[Troy]

Agree.

Isn't Kaplan from Durban? Surely this has to be avoided.

Yes he's born in Deben - so is Craig Joubert...

 

[Paradox]

Yes he's born in Deben - so is Craig Joubert.

could be worse, could be from Paarl

 

[Brumby Jack]

Brumbies:

1 Scott Sio
2 Stephen Moore
3 Ben Alexander
4 Peter Kimlin
5 Sam Carter
6 Ben Mowen
7 Geroge Smith
8 Fotu Auelua
9 Nic White
10 Matt To'omua
11 Joe Tomane
12 Christian Lealiifano
13 Tevita Kurudrani
14 Henry Speight
15 Jesse Mogg

16 Siliva Siliva
17 Ruadhri Murphy
18 Scott Fardy
19 Colby Fainga'a
20 Ian Prior
21 Robbie Coleman
22 Clyde Rathbone

 

[Blue]

Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Odwa Ndungane 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel (captain), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.Substitutes: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.

Sharks by 7:

• They have been underwhelming and will have had the riot act read to them this week
• I thought Keegan's leadership was exceptional towards the end of last year. His return is a big boost.
• I really like this pack. Tight 5 has been strong and the 6 and 7 will play close to the ball but both link and carry really well.
• Lambie doesn't look like missing.
• Home.
• Really don't see any area where the Brumbies shade them but as a unit the Brums are really well coached. I concede that.

Had it been in Canberra I would have picked the Brums.

 

[Blue]

Eek. No Palmer? Interesting to see Kimlin at lock to make space for Fotu.

That team sheet suggests a game played at high speed by the Brums.