[2017 Super Rugby] Round 9: Sharks vs. Rebels (22/04/2017)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Growthpoint Kings Park
Time: 19:30 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

Teams

Sharks: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Tera Mtembu (captain), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Beast Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Jeremy Ward

Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Will Miller, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Siliva Siliva, 1 Fereti Sa’aga

Substitutes: 16 James Hanson, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Tom Moloney, 19 Esei Haangana, 20 Hugh Sinclair, 21 Mick Snowden, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Ben Volavola

 

[galumay]

Is there any positive either side could take from this game? A tryless draw where neither side could take any meaningful advantage from being a man up at various times. Only the most hardened fan of our game could watch that match. I take some masochistic pride is sitting thru the full 80 minutes in replay this morning!

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Rebels doing the Jaguares one hell of a favour here. It is game on again for the SA wildcard between Sharks, Jagaures and Bulls.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

I agree that the rebels did us a favour. Unfortunately we missed our chance against the Lions, we had it and choked. I still think the sharks are the favourites but i don't think the bulls stand a chance. Even for us it is quite a long shot. Their next games are against the crusaders, highlanders, Lions (away), hurricanes, Sharks (away), Kings and Stormers PLUS they have a 10 point difference to catch up against the Sharks.

If you had to place a bet, how many of those games do you think they'll win? As things stand right now, i don't see them beating any NZ team, I do not see them beating the lions nor the sharks away and i'd favour the Stormers over them. That leaves the kings, so i'd say they'll win one out of 7 games. Let's say i am wrong, terribly wrong. I'll tripple their performance and win 3. Lets assume not BP from Sharks/Bulls/Jaguares to simplify the calculation.

Bulls have 14 points, plus 3 wins, that is 26 points. The sharks already have 24. I don't think the bulls have a chance here.

Don't get me wrong, i'd like nothing more than the Bulls defeating the Sharks, but i still don't think that will happen.

 

[Durbanite]

Esterhuizen really messed us up, I thought the Sharks were starting to look a little dangerous until that red, I can't fathom why he made that tackle after the whistle had already gone in the first place. Rhyno Smith had a very promising performance, he's an uncharacteristic type of fullback than what the Sharks are used to imo. A few times we had 3 points on offer and didn't show much respect, I bet Mtembu is regretting those calls. All in all however, lackluster performance from both sides, and Marius van der Westhuizen was not his best either, but I blame the uninspiring play for that. The breakdown was a mess, people going off their feet, guys jumping at the ruck with their backs rather than using arms, to be fair he did start calling people for not rolling and holding on a lot more as the game went on. I reckon next week will be painful, but you never know against the Jags, they seem to undo their hard work a lot, surely they realise it and will be hungry for a win. I'm still concerned as to what the alternative to Bosch is, with April injured there's even more cause to worry. Finally, what's​ the deal with putting the ball straight into the scrum? Is it no longer law? Or have the refs decided it's fine?

 

[TRF_heineken]

The most boring match I have ever watched in Super Rugby!! Yes, this was even worse than the 6-3 match between the Reds and the Sharks a while ago.

So many errors, so many negative play, so little excitement!

Hats off to the Sharks though, it takes real spirit to not lose a match when you play 60+minutes with only 14 men.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Andre just played himself out of a possible Bok selection, moerse..

 

[SomeOke]

Andre just played himself out of a possible Bok selection, moerse..

Even worse he tanked my fantasy round.
Livid.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Andre just played himself out of a possible Bok selection, moerse..

He's a bit of a moronic player if you ask me.

I don't think he's Bok material...

 

[SomeOke]

He's only Bok material because of our lack of options with Rohan out, 12 is looking to be a little bit of a worry. Venter hasn't looked great and neither has Serfontein.

 

[TRF_heineken]

He's only Bok material because of our lack of options with Rohan out, 12 is looking to be a little bit of a worry. Venter hasn't looked great and neither has Serfontein.

Well, even Burger Odendaal is looking better that Esterhuizen at the moment, and Odendaal is starting to frustrate me as he is playing like Wynand Olivier did for the Bulls.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Well with Frans Steyn coming in and DDA and RJvR both injured I think we needn't even bother speculating about #12 for the Bokke.

#13 will be interesting. Mapoe is probably the surer bet with Venter and the Bulls pair of Serfontein and Kriel on and off and EW Viljoen a rookie. How good has Harold Vorster looked in his two games though? Is that an argument for Jantjie being an auto pick for bok #10?

This is probably the wrong thread though.

I guess what I am getting at is I like Esterhuizen and think he discussing his Bok credentials have merit but only in a pinch.. which we are in actually.

 

[SomeOke]

We need Damian de Allenbae back.

Based on that 50 minutes he played I can categorically say he is the best 12 in the world.

 

[TRF_heineken]

We need Damian de Allenbae back.

Based on that 50 minutes he played I can categorically say he is the best 12 in the world.

I should ban you for that comment alone!

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Esterhuizen gets a 6 week ban. A bit over the top if you ask me.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/sharks-esterhuizen-hit-with-6-week-ban-20170424

 

[TRF_heineken]

Esterhuizen gets a 6 week ban. A bit over the top if you ask me.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/sharks-esterhuizen-hit-with-6-week-ban-20170424

OTT?

I think he can be lucky only to get 6 weeks. He did a judo-like throw which could have seriously harmed the player. I was certain that he could've gotten at least 8 weeks.

- - - Updated - - -

Esterhuizen gets a 6 week ban. A bit over the top if you ask me.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/sharks-esterhuizen-hit-with-6-week-ban-20170424

OTT?

I think he can be lucky only to get 6 weeks. He did a judo-like throw which could have seriously harmed the player. I was certain that he could've gotten at least 8 weeks.

 

[Car]

I had lunch at half-time and couldn't believe that not a single point had been scored when I started watching again midway through the second half. Unbelievable.

At this rate, the Rebels might end up becoming the second "best" team in Australia.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

OTT?

I think he can be lucky only to get 6 weeks. He did a judo-like throw which could have seriously harmed the player. I was certain that he could've gotten at least 8 weeks.

looked like an attempt to break a player's neck

 

[InsaneAsylum]

I didn't think it was a bad game. One of the few occasions the Rebels didn't get hammered in SA and the first time we didn't lose at all, so a draw was as good as a win.

We have 16 players on the injury list - Will Miller came in as injury cover and debuted at 7, played 80 minutes, 4 steals and made a lot of tackles. The guy is an amateur who was milking cows last week. how about some credit?
Hodge, showed calmness under pressure to kick some crucial penalties and has no trouble with long range - compare this to bernard foley who can't seem to hit a barn door from 20m out on a 45 degree angle.
Naivalu made some good metres. he's quick and powerful - almost scored a long range try at the end.

on the other hand Stirzaker was his usual undisciplined self, he shouldn't be our captain. McMahon should be the skip when he returns from injury with hodge VC.