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
meneer says...
Proof that even with an undeserved home advantage the best of the Aussie conference is not good enough. Poor Robbie Deans, have to feel for the guy.
Posted 16:27 21st July 2012
new_j4a says...
Anyone seen jonesy2 whose latest prediction was this..."this a piss take? sharks are going to get smashed and the fact that you idiots have michilak as a key man is the funniest thing ive ever seen until i saw the sharks by 4 bit and quite frankly embarrassing as hell."
That boy is brash even by Australian standards....does anyone think he might be a recently transported POM trying desperately to fit in down there?
Posted 16:04 21st July 2012
Ramage says...
The Reds just didnt turn up or the Sharks never let them. Is it karma that the Reds despite the Sharks having to travel couldn't take the game. As is to be expected the whinging Aussies already blaming Kaplan but not me old mate Trinuts far more gracious and whilst gutted showed that while we disagree and argue like Kilkenny cats we still can respect a sport. However the boorish Brisbane crowd booing Kaplan showed that jaundiced red eye disease called loser's bile. It was whipped up by the Queensland hack journalists who started the attack on Kaplan by bringing out the old chestnut that Kaplan wa born in Durban. Showed that the Queensland fans are no better than any where else when their team loses first port of call blame the ref not their own poor play.
I suppose itsalso karma that Saia Faiinga came off with an injury. Seems throwing himself into players on the ground finally caught up with him and the damage he did to himself with his dirty antics all year so weakened him he couldn't last the distance. Wasn't it gold looking at his dejected face at the end of the game. No sympathy Saia karma has caught up.
Finally now there is no more OZ teams left in the Competition that the embarrassing Foxtel commentary team can now take a spell and rid themselves from our screens. They really are a disgrace. Hopefully now we will hear from the better Saffa and Kiwi commentators and not have to go back to listening to Martin Kearns and co . Sad to hear Horan and Kafer falling into the same traps as the other two sad gits.
Posted 15:58 21st July 2012
new_j4a says...
@pekingunther, who says "The first try came from a forward pass that was thrown outside the 22 and caught inside the 22. How can that not be picked up?"
You appear to think that a forward pass is defined by the starting and ending position of the ball relative to the rugby field i.e. the 22 line. The question you should be asking is "how come Reds supporters (like me) don't know what a forward pass is?"
Have a look at this before you accuse refs of bribery....and don't listen to those stupid Oz commentators. Here's the URL. By the way the irb does know what it's talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=box08lq9ylg
Posted 15:52 21st July 2012
startledwombat says...
I've missed both games tonight and have relied on PR and the comments for me news. I understand the Christchurch game was boring and one-dimensional. I don't know if this Brisbane game was good spectator occasion or not.
Is it worth tracking down a copy of the game?
SW
Melbourne
aka the land of the provincial oval-ball code.
Posted 15:49 21st July 2012
Trader2 says...
As I said last week the Reds are gooone and order has been restored. No team finishing last in a top 6 scenerio in any comp deserves a home KO final. The Reds have been pretenders all year, had a fair bit of luck last week and have been done to by a very impressive Sharks outfit. As far as Oz goes well as mentioned earlier in the year it comes back to depth in the playing pool and they just ain't got it, with the easy ride in the Oz conference they should have had two teams in the last 6. To Trinats nevermind old chap good response, you must be gutted but if you tried to be more positive and didn't harp on about ref's, injuries, home ground advantage etc etc you wouldn't subject yourself to so much ridicule, you do have the RC to look forward to, perhaps the Wannabies can improve their 7/29 ratio against the AB's but I wouldn't hold your breath. Crusaders v Stormers final for me.
Posted 15:32 21st July 2012
Wallaroo says...
I had a horrible feeling before the game that the Sharks would win. What an unbelievably good performance from them, Suncorp is a holy grail - Well done Sharks, you truly deserved to win this.
I must admit I am somewhat surprised at Genia, he is generally a really good bloke. Must have just been one of those days.
Saffas don't take QLD booing personally, it's common practice in the Sunshine state, whether it be interstate league, union, AFL, etc; just having a bit of fun.
@pekingunther, mate I understand your frustration at the loss. Like you I badly wanted the Reds to win, however when things don't go our way then there is more honour in showing humility by congratulating the winning team than thrashing them with indefensible accusations.
Honestly there is only one positive from this, jonesy2 has once again been shown up to be the biggest idiot on the forum bar none.
Posted 15:13 21st July 2012
davodiablo says...
Just because we got the right result doesn't mean this conference system works. It reminds me of PC school competitions where all the kids go home with a medal and there are no losers.
If Australia want to win then they should form a second division because that is clearly where they are .
Posted 15:05 21st July 2012
ClarKent says...
Poetic justice! The Reds in 7th place on performance should not have reached the play-offs so they are now where they should be, out of the semis. What sort of competition is that? What competitor agrees to such rules? But money talks.
Posted 15:03 21st July 2012
KiwiJoe says...
Wobbly Wannabes at club level really, so what do you expect.
What a semifinal to come, no lightweight posers here, definitely the real deal. Go Kiwis and Saffas.
Posted 14:45 21st July 2012
kpe12 says...
Dominated.
Reds didn't stand a chance with their first choice pivot out.
Posted 14:32 21st July 2012
rugbylover says...
@new_j4a
I don't agree.
OK, the commercial aspect is vital, but there must be some modification. For the Queensland Reds to have a home advantage was manifestly unjust.
On this occasion justice prevailed - but O'Neil can scheme again - for a while.
Posted 14:30 21st July 2012
new_j4a says...
you'd have to conclude that the conference system works....eventually, except that if the Oz conference had been stronger, the unfair travel might have been a factor.
Posted 14:13 21st July 2012
new_j4a says...
@Trinats, you a good and honorable man and a good loser. The Reds are a fine team and Queensland is a short step from heaven. Go Sharks!!!
@martinmarais, good to see you are back watching your favorite team. You must be very proud of those Freestate boys who have made it up into the big leagues?
Posted 14:06 21st July 2012
rugbylover says...
@new_j4a
I agree. The Oz commentators are part of the supporters club along with - guess who? When they're not hilarious, they are boringly predictable. Low IQ you see?
Sent from my exultphone. "The mills of god....................."
Posted 14:03 21st July 2012
Styris3052 says...
I think everyone outside of queensland was going for the sharks. Great win. Now what are the aussies going to use to pump themselves up now?
Posted 14:03 21st July 2012
pekingunther says...
I was at the ground. And I can't say the better team won. Kaplan had the worst game I have seen in years. He was just terrible and the Queensland crowd let hin know. The first try came from a forward pass that was thrown outside the 22 and caught inside the 22. How can that not be picked up. The intercept try, well I can only say look at the players position before the ball was passed from teh back of teh Ruck... OFF-SIDE. and where was the yellow card when the Sharks continally infringed with teh reds camped on tehir line. Isn't that what it was designed for. It was so bad, I would suggest they should look at the Refs finances. The Sharks may still have wine, if there was even handed refereeing. But the Reds were never given a chance.
Posted 13:59 21st July 2012
runnrugby says...
Based on the overall performance of the aussie sides, they didnt really deserve a conference this year. My blues, which came last in the NZ conference had equal or more wins than the waratahs, force and rebels.
Sharks played really well, the only problem now is that they have to travel all the way back to SA. Two long trips in as many weeks is tough as the crusaders did for last years final. Imagine if the sharks were to beat the stormers, then they would have to travel to NZ to play in the final. Whew
Posted 13:48 21st July 2012
three6three6 says...
Congratulations to the SHARKS..... You did the business on the pitch.... the scoreline flattering to the REDS with a converted try on full time. The REDS were found out.... but they were always going to be found out once they faced one of the 'form' teams.
It will require a super human effort for the SHARKS to beat the STORMERS at Newlands and then travel on to New Zealand for the final.
Posted 13:44 21st July 2012
hobo says...
Kaplan is a disgrace
Posted 13:27 21st July 2012