Sharks try-scorer: Charl Mcleod
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The Sharks charged into the Super Rugby semi-finals with an impressive 30-17 victory over the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.
The elimination of the Australian conference winners means the Sharks will face South African rivals the Stormers at Newlands in the semi-finals next Saturday, while the Crusaders will travel to Hamilton for an all-Kiwi clash with the Chiefs.
There was plenty of talk about teams carrying momentum in the build-up to the qualifying finals, and the Sharks showed they will be very a tough act to beat next weekend following this sterling performance.
The Durban side were scintillating on attack in the first period and backed it up with brave, well-organised defence after the break.
The Sharks led 20-10 at half-time thanks to tries from JP Pietersen and Paul Jordaan plus a Fred Michalak drop goal, while the Reds replied just before the break via a touchdown from Will Genia.
An intercept try from Charl McLeod early in the second period gave the visitors a healthy gap, forcing the Reds to chase the game. Radike Samo's 80th-minute score proved to be too little too late for the defending champions.
The Sharks dominated the opening exchanges and were 10-0 up after 13 minutes. Michalak opened the scoring from the kicking tee before Bismarck du Plessis showed fantastic hands to put Pietersen clear out wide for the first try.
Things went from bad to worse for the Reds as fly-half Ben Lucas was forced off injured and coach Ewen McKenzie made a big call by bringing replacement scrum-half Nick Frisby on, leaving Mike Harris in midfield and handing the pivot role to Genia.
The nightmare start continued for the hosts when Paul Jordaan showed a neat step, after a great offload from Keegan Daniel, and raced home for the Sharks' second try.
Harris stepped up to find his target with a long-range penalty, but Michalak replied with a sucker punch to put the Sharks 20-3 ahead by landing a drop goal from bang in front.
With half-time looming, Scott Higginbotham broke down the left touchline and found Genia on his inside for a try that dragged the hosts back into contention.
The Sharks were first to strike in the second half, however, when McLeod intercepted Genia's pass to bolt 60m and score under the sticks. Michalak's third conversion left the visitors leading 27-10.
Both teams then came within inches of scoring but the Reds were denied by the TMO for inconclusive evidence before Meyer Bosman stumbled with the tryline begging.
The Reds pitched camp in the Sharks' 22 for 10 minutes but couldn't find a gap in the wall of black jerseys, although Digby Ioane came awfully close.
Samo finally crashed over in the final minute, but any hopes of the Reds defending their title had already evaporated.
Man of the match: A mention for JP Pietersen, who scored the first try and was immense on defence, but we'll go for Bismarck du Plessis who continues to astound not only with his strength but with some awesome ball skills.
Moment of the match: The Reds were still in it until McLeod's intercept try moved the Sharks two converted tries clear. Genia threw the offending pass. Should he have even been playing at fly-half?
Villain of the match: No nasty stuff to report.
The scorers:
For the Reds:
Tries: Genia,Samo
Cons: Harris, Genia
Pens: Harris
For the Sharks:
Tries: Pietersen, Jordaan, McLeod
Cons: Michalak 3
Pens: Michalak 2
Drop: Michalak
Yellow cards: Sykes (Sharks)
Reds: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Ben Lucas, 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Radike Samo, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Ben Tapuai.
Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Keegan Daniel (c), 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Odwa Ndungane.
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Comments
ruckingkiwi says...
Yeah ha ha Trinats, that would be very silly, mainly because 5 - 0 has never happened.
So if 7ton was referring to "their past 4 victories", (your words) that would take into account Englands last 4 victories, which is a period of time dating back to 2005 or 9 matches between the 2 countries' or indeed, 4 English victories.
Similarly applied to NZ vs aus;
Since 2005, NZ 18 - aus 4
Or previous 9 matches, NZ 7 - aus 2
Or 4 aus victories , well you get the picture...
Anyway, I'm always interested to hear about this 5 - 0 you mention.
Also, awaiting this back to back Reds championship you were crapping on about all year .
Trinats = big words & little follow through!
Go Chiefs! :)
Posted 02:20 27th July 2012
7ton says...
Trinats
Ha Ha yet again you have revealed what nonsense you talk. Your Aus 5 NZ 0 stat is not just silly but completely untrue! Australia has never beaten NZ 5 games in a row but just 3 wheras the stats say that NZ has beaten Aus 10 games in a row. Ouch! that must hurt as a Aussie.
Your posts should really carry a warning saying. "Any stats or figures quoted may not necessarily be true and are most likely to be made up for a desperate attempt at banter"
The banter is all good fun mate but you could try to keep your figures accurate otherwise it just becomes plain stupid.
Good luck in the 4nations :)
Posted 23:16 26th July 2012
Trinats2 says...
ruckingkiwi:
7ton uses England "recent form" referring to their past 4 victories ? And I used past 4 games against NZ. I could use the stats like Aus 5 NZ 0 from other periods but that would be silly !
Recent - 4 games - Aus 2 Nz 2 !!! the truth hurts as a kiwi !!!! soon to be Aus 4 NZ 3 (on recent form !!!!)
Posted 11:48 26th July 2012
7ton says...
Trinats2
Re your recent form question to me. Ruckingkiwi beat me to it .and has made a nonsense of your selective stats yet again. Lol:)
Posted 09:40 26th July 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Trinats2, how about the Chiefs for something different, Crusaders have won enough titles.
Bookies had to install Reds as favourites but it wasn't a big shock to see the Sharks win, across the park they have better players, had a better season and were in better form... and they made me $400.
Actually, it was your top squad available. But well played..
How is their recent form against NZ ???
NZ 2 wins (both in NZ)
AUS 2 wins (1 in Aus 1 in HK) !!!
I notice you mention only 1 match from 2010 (the HK victory) but fail to mention the other 3 tests from that year, all won by NZ.... Melbourne, Christchurch, Sydney.
So recent results would actually read
NZ 5 wins (NZ 3, Aus 2)
Oz 2 wins (Aus 1, HK 1)
Damn.. hate the truth getting in the way all the time.
Posted 01:53 26th July 2012
Trinats2 says...
Carpelone:
relos (inlaws )are from Durban, hence the outlaws !
Posted 11:44 25th July 2012
Carpelone says...
Trinats
Not such a big shock, but the Reds were favourite (1,45 to 2,50 if I remember correctly).
Sharks and not Crusaders the outlaws? Mmmm
Posted 11:30 25th July 2012
Trinats2 says...
ruckingkiwi:
Was a huge shock, ask any bookie !!
B squad ? if that's the case Aus ran out their D side with injures
I'm hoping the Crusaders get up (sort of a final farewell to McCaw, a true great) and to pee off the outlaws (Sharks)
7ton:
How is their recent form against NZ ???
NZ 2 wins (both in NZ)
AUS 2 wins (1 in Aus 1 in HK) !!!
Posted 07:52 25th July 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Trinats2. sorry but that wasn't a shock, there was every indication the Reds would be knocked out. Those young players are promising but they haven't really pushed since they came on the scene, loses to Scotland,Samoa prove they're still very vunerable and most have 30-40 tests under the belt already, is another 30-40 tests going to make them much better? Possibly, bigger, older and slower is about it.
rugby_rockstar is right, they need a pack before they can compete properly, a 3N victory when the other teams are running B squads for the WC isn't much an indicator. My opinion the Wallabies were closer to a QF exit then winners medal.
BTW, who you cheering for now the Reds have been knocked out?
Posted 01:33 25th July 2012
7ton says...
trinats2
yeah right mate. Beaten by Ireland in the RWC and a very poor recent record against England in recent games and world cups. Lucky against Wales this year. Carry on dreaming :)
Posted 00:55 25th July 2012
Carpelone says...
tha_mai
Thanks, mate.
Posted 16:44 24th July 2012
Trinats2 says...
rugby_rockstar:
Have you not been around since 1999 ? Australia won the Tri Nations last year and are currently ranked No 2 in the world, came 3rd in RWC and could of been No1 and RWC winners if it was held elsewhere in the world !!! Wallabies (and reds) are a very young side with a lot of experience already.
Reds had a shock defeat, no worries it happens in sports, they'll get over it and can only learn from it.
Agree, David Wilson was awesome and a Queenslander !!!
Posted 12:24 24th July 2012
Lucasrg says...
Great Stuff Sharks!!! I knew it they could win by +10 points.
I don't think that even with Cooper on the pitch, the Reds could have done any better. Besides the Sharks pack, I was impressed by the back line that not only created chances but manage to shut down dangerous players (a.k.a Ioane&Co)
With Whithead and Joordan the future is bright. Solid defenders and pretty disciplined.
When I saw Lucas and Faingaa out, I guess the Reds started to see...well....red!
Still good reaction and will to play from the Reds.
To be honest I don't see the Sharks beating the Crusaders nor the Chiefs this year, but they definitely can get into the final.
If they can get rid of those silly mistakes (...that loose pass in your own try area from McLeod...>.<) this year or the next few, will make the sharks a better team.
Well done Sharks
Posted 17:28 23rd July 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
How to fix the problems with the Aussie Francises? The talent is spread thinly but thats not the issue in itself. The big problem is the attitude towards rugby basics. The fundamental lack of understanding that you can't fling it about in the Backs if they don't have a platform to play off. Australia and England are two extremes and both are pants because they are really good at one thing and absolute drivel at the other. NZ understand basics, they lean towards the pace / support / skill game but they work hard on the set peices and are monstrous at the breakdown. SA excell at the set pieces, lean towards kicking / power running and lineout but they know the value of a good support and offloading game as you saw with the sharks on saturday. its 15man BREAD AND BUTTER rugby. Centres doing a job in the midfield, the Second row securing good ball in the line. the front row secring good scrum ball and if possible ruining the other teams ball. Thats why australian rugby is not cutting the mustard. the ARU need to find a bit of depth and stop being so shallow. it not all about tries. its not all about copying League and having 22 6ft tall 80KG runners. The Rugby Union basics have to be in place if you are going to succeed. You look at that pack that won the rugby world cup in 1999. They didn't do it playing touch rugby. David Wilson could teach a thing or two to Richie McCaw about slowing ball down, the guy was a genius! John O'Neil, you've lost the plot. you are so far out of it, You're going to bump into Major Tom a bazillion lightyears outside the milkyway! You want to be sucessful in rugby union then come down to ground level and get some mud and blood over your face, you don't win rugby matches with clean jerseys after 80 minutes.
Posted 16:01 23rd July 2012
new_j4a says...
@Wallaroo LOL re jonesy2. Where do you reckon he's from....he's posing as Oz but I am almost certain he's a POM stirring. You never see him after the games. Mind you he might come back if he ever predicted anything correctly....he can't even get the cities right. Must be a POM? I'll bet APV1 knows something about the mysterious jonesy2
Posted 14:34 23rd July 2012
new_j4a says...
@Wallaroo, Okay, sober, but delusional? Even the 'Tahs will beat the Reds next year......the Cheetahs, that is. Have a great day (rugby day, that is...must keep Ed sweet)
Posted 13:10 23rd July 2012
startledwombat says...
thanks newj4a - I've set things in motion to obtain the full games via a snail-mail Red Cross parcel.
Posted 12:34 23rd July 2012
Wallaroo says...
@new_j4a - forgot to add. I'm missing jonesy2 far too much, someone has to be a stand-in.
Posted 12:00 23rd July 2012
Wallaroo says...
@new_j4a, Great comeback brother, you had me rolling in laughter. Yes I know all the rhetorical s however it is in the Great Australian Book of commandments to have a laugh and take the mick. With regards to the statement the Reds will heal I was dead-set sober and sincerely mean that next year (time factor) they will be a much better team (Copy and paste - under correct predictions once again from Wallywho).
BTW I don't drink hic.It's a supreme culture thing.
Posted 11:57 23rd July 2012
carpelone says...
To get proper education in the country of Mickeys and Sheilas? That's funny, really. We all know what kind of social embarassment are Ozs when it happens to go out together. Funny, but embarassing. Only the Americans an compete in this.
Posted 11:48 23rd July 2012