News

Sharks book Sydney ticket

May 17 2008

The Sharks will travel to Sydney to take on the Waratahs in the Super 14 semi-finals after doing the business against the Chiefs 47-25 in an entertaining spectacle in the last round-robin match of the tournament in Durban on Saturday.

The Sharks needed to score four tries or win by 18 points to secure their place in the last four, but went ahead and scored seven tries and won by 22 points instead.

In stark contrast to the Stormers, who fluffed their lines at Ellis Park earlier on Saturday afternoon, the Sharks made full use of every scoring opportunity that came their way as they built up a 21-8 lead by the break.

The Mexican wave that did the rounds towards the closing minutes of the game signaled the crowd's absolute approval of the way their team had gone about getting themselves into the last four.

The scoreline showed just how much the Sharks had dominated their New Zealand opponents in virtually every department and the seven try to three haul showed just how emphatic that win was.

Chasing the bonus-point victory to be assured of a top four finish, the Sharks set about their task somewhat frantically, but as they started settling down, so the rewards started coming, and three first half tries later and they were well on their way to achieving their primary goal - victory.

Four tries would have meant nothing if the Chiefs outscored them and won the game, but the visitors battled against a dominant side who were intent on achieving what looked a tough prospect.

But the champagne rugby played at Absa Stadium not only achieved the ends of the team, but certainly kept the crowd in raptures as they alternated between sitting on the edges of their seats and leaping in the air in joy as try after try was scored.

The Chiefs were certainly positive in their approach to the game and contributed to the occasion, but were up against a team with superior firepower and a burning desire to achieve their goal in what was a wonderful display of both power rugby upfront, support play and spirited running by backs and forwards alike.

Ruan Pienaar was outstanding at fly-half and is growing into the position with every game, so it was fitting that he should be the man to score the first try as a long, patient build-up put him through a hole to put the Sharks 7-0 ahead.

Adrian Jacobs was the next to score as the Sharks went 14-0.

A neat kick ahead by Pienaar against the run of play had Lelia Masaga and the entire Sharks team charging for the ball. The Chiefs winger won the race, but failed to control and Jacques Botes took full advantage by setting up winger JP Pietersen who was brought down inches short.

Jacobs couldn't believe his luck when he picked up the loose ball with nobody but the tryline to beat for the Sharks second try.

The Chiefs enjoyed easily their best period through the middle part of the game, scoring a try through flanker Faifili Levave and penalty to pivot Stephen Donald although Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis crossed over in the 35th minute to keep his side ahead.

When you play well luck tends to go with you, so it was not surprising that the Sharks profited from a good bounce of the ball from a high Stefan Terblanche up-and-under in putting Du Plessis, who was another player who had a storming game, in the left corner for try number three. 21-8 and half-time.

There would have been some concerned frowns among the Sharks management in the first minutes of the second half as the Chiefs fought back to a three-point deficit through a well-worked Mils Miliana try that took 12 phases to create.

The Chiefs skipper took a long floating pass from winger Sitiveni Sivivatu, handed off Botes and scored from delightful angled run.

Donald's conversion was succesful and another penalty soon followed suit to take the scores to 21-18 with half an hour remaining.

But just when the momentum seemed to be shifting to the Chiefs, and the Sharks were having to commit themselves to defence, so came one of those unexpected moments that a good team can produce, with lock Steven Sykes rounding off for the bonus point.

The Chiefs looked a well beaten side after that as the Sharks piled on the agony with the two Ryan Kankowski tries and one from winger Odwa Ndungane as they steamed towards the half century mark and an emphatic win which could just mark them as the form team in the competition heading into the deciding fortnight.

But with the match all but wrapped up, Chiefs winger Viliame Waqaseduadua had the final say with a consolation try after the final hooter had sounded.

Man of the match: This was the most emphatic display achieved from a team effort. It would be unfair to single out individuals aside to say that Bismarck du Plessis was a deserved recipient of his man of the match award handed to him after the game, but he has support from 21 other Sharks players who will soak in the emotion of having earned this massive achievement.

Moment of the match: It was mission accomplished when Steven Sykes powered over for the all-important fourth try bonus point. After that, the Sharks never looked back and opened up the floodgates.

Villain of the match: Villain? What villain?

The scorers:

For Sharks:

Tries: Pienaar, Jacobs, B Du Plessis, Sykes, Kankowski 2, Ndungane

Cons: Kockott 6

For Chiefs:

Tries: Levave, Muliaina, Waqaseduadua

Cons: Donald 2

Pens: Donald

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Bradley Barritt, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 AJ Venter, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Andries Strauss, 22 Waylon Murray.

Chiefs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Jono Gibbes, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Aled De Malmanche.

Replacements: 16 John Paeranga, 17 Nathan White, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 Viliame Waqaseduadua.

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Touch judges: Brett Bowden (Australia), Pro Legoete (South Africa)

Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)