Impressive Jandre Marais starts for the Sharks
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Anton Bresler of The Sharks breaking past the defense of Zac Guilford of the Crusaders.
Morgan Piek – The Sharks have named an unchanged side to take on the Waratahs in Sydney in their first game abroad this season. John Plumtree “rewarded” the team who came from 17 – 0 down to beat the Reds in Durban last weekend.
Never easy going overseas, the Waratahs game is one that the Sharks should win in Sydney. The Tahs have been far from impressive in their opening rounds. With the form the men from Durban side displayed in the last forty minutes against the Reds, it should be a walk in the park.
As with all games, never underestimate your opponents. The Sharks can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the Waratahs have benched former Toyota Cheetahs scrumhalf, Sarel Pretorius. Although Pretorius is always dangerous on attack, his defence has not gotten any better since leaving South Africa for Sydney. Pretorius held the unfortunate title of have having the worst defensive record in the 2011 competition.
In the first few rounds this season Plumtree opted to start former French international Frederic Michalak at scrumhalf. Charl McLeod showed last week that he should be the starting scrumhalf with strong accurate passing from the base of the set pieces. I think Plumtree realised his mistake and has reward McLeod with another starting birth after an outstanding game in the number 9 jersey.
The Sharks were looking a little light in the lock department with Steven Sykes picking up an injury. Jandre Marais came on for Sykes when he left the field through injury and made an immediate impact. The youngster even went on to score shortly after making his appearance. He looks like an exciting player with loads of potential. Sykes was able to make the tour after he looked to be in serious doubt.
The Natalians will furthermore be happy that Bismarck du Plessis has suddenly hit some form after two average opening games. Bismarck went on to win the Man of the Match award against the Reds. The Sharks will be a little cautious with their props as they have picked several injuries have been forced to do some serious recruitment. When it was announced that Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira broke his leg in a freak training accident the selectors started sweating a little as that department was seriously lacking. Unfortunately for Plumtree he no longer has the John Smit card up his sleeve to rely on.
After the Waratahs loss to the less fancied Western Force they will be a little wary and be desperate to set the record straight.
The Sharks on the other hand would like to start off their overseas trip with a good win to make up for their shock defeat to the Rebels last year in Melbourne. They do have the advantage of beating the Tahs bitter rivals and defending champs, the Reds last weekend. They have to use that momentum and make sure they don’t allow the Waratahs dangerous backline to get quality ball.
My money will be on the Sharks for this one.
The match kicks-off at 6:35am CAT at the Alliance Stadium, Sydney, Australia.
The Sharks team is as follows:
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Tim Whitehead, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel (Captain), 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Jandre Marais, 4. Anton Bresler, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Dale Chadwick
Replacements:
16. Craig Burden, 17. Nick Schonert, 18. Steven Sykes, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Frederic Michalak, 21. Marius Joubert, 22. Louis Ludik
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