Sharks player ratings v All Blacks: Where the ‘gulf in class’ was most evident as Springboks rookie is ‘outplayed’ while Ma’a Nonu produced flashes of brilliance
Sharks' lock Hendre Stassen is tackled and an inset of Vusi Moyo.
Following their 54-0 defeat to the All Blacks at Kings Park Stadium, here’s how we rated the Sharks’ players in their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry defeat.
Sharks player ratings
15 Zekhethelo Siyaya: Rolled the dice with his chip and chase and came up short when Caleb Clarke tripped him up, and the officials believed it was not worth a sanction – luckily for him, Damian McKenzie knocked it forward. Shifted to the wing where he competed fairly well, but overall, it was a match where he tried to spark something but just ended up in the wrong alley and cost his side. 4
14 Donovan Don: Regularly got the better of Clarke in the air. The former Blitzbok was one of many Sharks players who were full of energy and effort on both sides of the ball. Replaced early in the second half with Luan Giliomee coming on. 6
13 Jurenzo Julius: Threatened the All Blacks‘ defence on occasion and was reasonably sharp defensively. Ball was hoisted into the skies for much of this match which didn’t help his hopes of making an impact. 5
12 Murray Koster: Spoiled an early chance after he couldn’t hold onto the bouncing ball from Bradley Davids’ kick. Carried bravely into the All Blacks’ defence but was shunted backwards more often than not. The Sharks lacked front foot ball and Koster couldn’t generate it for them. 5
11 Litelihle Bester: Like Don, Bester was a willing chaser and competitor in the air and managed to trouble the All Blacks in that department. However, he had soft moments and turnovers that spoiled attacking opportunities. 5
10 Vusi Moyo: The newly capped Springboks fly-half simply didn’t have the firepower up front to really influence the game in a manner that he would have liked. Still, Moyo kicked well out of hand and was effective in defence. Outplayed and outclassed by Ruben Love but did well with the platform he was given. 7
9 Bradley Davids: His box kicks caused all kinds of havoc for the All Blacks’ back-field while his overall service to Moyo, considering the conditions, was solid. Replaced before the hour mark as Ivan van Zyl made his debut. 6
Murray Mexted warns All Blacks of what they can expect in the ‘most competitive environment’
The forwards
8 Nick Hatton (c): One of the busier forwards along with Manu Tshituka as the Sharks skipper just got stuck in and relished the opportunity against the All Blacks. Can be proud of his efforts, even if it was all in vain. 6
7 Manu Tshituka: Part of a pack that was overwhelmed by the All Blacks, Tshituka was a warrior in the rough for the Sharks. One of the leading tacklers and carriers. Busy in a losing effort. 6
6 Phepsi Buthelezi: Replaced around the hour mark after a fairly quiet performance by his high standards. Usually one of the go-to carriers for the Sharks, he was strangely anonymous. Just not his night. 4
5 Deon Slabbert: A late addition to the team after Emile van Heerden’s withdrawal and then lost his locking partner early in the game. He ran the lineout fairly well and did his job around the park. 6
4 Hendre Stassen: Forced off injured in the first half after a lively start where he carried seven times. A decent cameo but the Sharks will be hoping that he isn’t sidelined for too long considering the current lock crisis. 5
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3 Vincent Koch: The early scrums belong to the All Blacks, but the double Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks tighthead clawed matters back to find some parity. He is renowned for his graft around the pitch and today was no different. Was it a Deon Fourie-esque performance that will earn him a recall? Probably not, but it was a strong one. 7
2 Eduan Swart: Sent Luke Jacobson tumbling backwards with a huge carry – some feat that. For the most part, his lineout throws were accurate too. Always a consistent player for the Sharks and it was more of the same really. 6
1 Nemo Roelofse: Debuted on the opposite side of the scrum for the Sharks from his usual tighthead role and fared reasonably well considering. He claimed a great steal in the Sharks 22 in the ninth minute and forced a penalty out of Fletcher Newell five metres from his line in the 25th. Can be reasonably happy all things considered. 6
Replacements: The gulf in class was most evident when the All Blacks’ bench was introduced and the Sharks started to make changes. Ma’a Nonu was greeted with a roar from the crowd and he did have a huge carry into Love and had flashes of brilliance, but JP Pietersen got little purchase from his eight on the bench as the All Blacks took control on the scoreboard and emphatically so. Frankly, this is where the real difference in these tour matches will be with the Sharks – outside of Nonu – and other clubs will simply not have the quality and experience on the bench compared to the All Blacks. 4
READ MORE: Watch: Ma’a Nonu delivers incredible solo Haka in response to the All Blacks