The Sharks are ninth on the log, on 21 points after their four successive wins; the Blues are seventh (25 points) but they have a far easier closing month to their campaign.
While only the most optimistic Sharks supporters still cling to the forlorn hope that their team can somehow advance to the Super 14 play-offs, the Auckland Blues, their opponents at King’s Park this Saturday, still feel a semi-final spot is in their grasp.
The Sharks have to beat – with bonus points – the Blues on Saturday and then the Bulls (at Loftus), Stormers and Western Force (both in Durban) and reach 40 log points to have a mathematical chance of reaching the last four.
The Blues are up against three teams in the last five on the table after their Durban visit.
They travel to Bloemfontein next week to play the 13th-placed Cheetahs, then meet bottom-of-the-log Lions before returning home to host the Chiefs (10th) in Auckland.
Victory in all four of their remaining games, with just one bonus point on the way, would take them up to 42 points and that would have earned them a semi-final berth every year since the competition was extended to 14 teams in 2006.
Saturday’s game at King’s Park is, then, make-or-break for both teams – “another cup final,” in the words of Sharks captain John Smit.
The Blues flew out to South Africa at the weekend without injured All Blacks lock Anthony Boric. The second-row forward has an ankle injury and he missed the Blues’ 38-17 win over the Force on Saturday.
While the Sharks have gone from bad to good with five successive defeats followed by four victories on the trot, the Blues have fluctuated from one week to the next. Their win over the champion Bulls was followed by a bad loss to the Stormers but they were up again against the Force at the weekend.
It has been a particularly frustrating time for coach Pat Lam.
“We have to work as a team not individuals,” he said before leaving New Zealand. “If we do that we can be a very damaging team, but if we don’t then we can be pretty average.”
He is convinced the Blues are stronger now than last year but emphasised the importance of a win over the Sharks.
“This is it. We have to look after ourselves well and recover properly from the trip because this Sharks match is a massive test match for us.”
All Black wing Joe Rokocoko, who scored a hat-trick of tries against the Force, said the players were concerned about their see-sawing form but are determined to stay on a winning high in Durban.
“We have always felt confident in our game plan,” he said. “Even with our defeats we feel we are going the right way.”
Saturday’s match kicks off at 17:05.
Blues touring squad:
Anthony Tuitavake, Paul Williams, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Dan Kirkpatrick, Stephen Brett, Chris Smylie, Alby Mathewson, Viliami Ma’afu, Tom Chamberlain, Serge Lilo, Peter Saili, Jerome Kaino, Andrew van der Heijden, Kurtis Haiu, Filo Paulo, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, John Afoa, Tony Woodcock.
* It was confirmed on Monday that Griquas, the defending champions, will meet the Sharks XV in the quarter-final of the Vodacom Cup at King’s Park on Saturday. The match (at 14:00) will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Super 14 game.
Puma @ 25
Thats just a possible outcome
Would like to see the Force shock the Saders.
Stormers to win against the Reds.
And Brumbies to win against Tahs.
#27 Snoek, you had me worried there for a moment – thought you were just another Stormer basher, hehe!
But I’m also more than a little concerned about the Reds’ form and the Stormers energy levels. Last weekend the Bulls proved that their road trip was a lot tougher than what most expected it would be. And the Stormers have followed that exact same itinerary.
So, I’m holding my breath…
30 – I need some brave picks to overtake Bewer. It will be interesting, and we get more points for playoffs.
31 – Snoek, if Saders lose and Thas lose and we beat the Blues, then a tiny bit of hope opens up for us Sharks. Though don’t see Force lose to Saders. Then Force beat the Stormers who I rate as one of the best teams this year. So who knows. All exciting the last few games.
Did you enjoy the Show at MonteCasino? Did you get the Sharks game on the big screen by the way?
Thas = Tahs
Never Fender, i don’t like to bash other teams. Maybe the Lions a little, but only because they gave us a hard time with Alberts and ludick.
No, just joking. Feel sorry for them and their supporters, they don’t deserve what they are getting.
32 – Fencer, Bulls played the wrong game against the Reds. Stormers wont do the same. They keep possession and it it bye bye Reds. Stormers defence is good though they need to get first time tackles. They have good pace the Reds.
Snoeks view followed by mine
This is how i see things happen this weekend.
Chiefs v Vodacom Cheetahs / Chiefs to pick up 5 log points, cheetahs 0/ Cheetahs must still play their miracle game. I have a feeling this might be the one.
Reds v Vodacom Stormers / Reds to pick up 4 log points Stormers 1/NO Stormers are peaking and will tackle them STUKKEND
Western Force v Crusaders / Force to pick up 0 log points, Crusaders 5/ Force please do us all a favor. Wont put a cent on them though
Highlanders v Hurricanes / Highlanders to pick up 1 log point, hurricanes 5/agree
Waratahs v Brumbies / Waratahs to pick up 4 log points, brumbies 1/Brumbies must take this , i will go Brumbies.
Vodacom Bulls v Auto & General Lions / Bulls to pick up 5 log points, Lions 0/ just hope my nerves can take this, come on Bulls they are a nuisance for years do a Nokia one on them, lets settle this for once and all.
The Sharks v Blues / Sharks to pick up 4 log points, blues 1/Sharks yes,… i hope
37 – meant Fencer there. Sorry.
#36 Nah Snoek, no worries – I was only pulling your dorsal fin….
Ja, I also feel sorry for guys like Willa and Ed and Bosveld. They rasied their game last week and I hope it continues.
34 – Puma
Show was great! What a nice evening we had, went to restaurant afterwards (not sure about the name, stairs going down to basement) and only left their at 2:00 am. Slept over at the City lodge opposite Monte Casino.
Yes we watched the game on that HUGE big screen, almost like being at the field. It was great but wat to tense.
And one of my friends, the one who has the Penthouse at Umhlanga got his Rolls Royce Gost Saturday afternoon. So there was celebrations all round that evening. Now that is the most beautifull car i’ve ever seen.
#32, 36 No of-Fence taken, Puma. 😉
Juan Smith is back to captain the Cheetahs in their final Super 14 tour match against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Superbul – Don’t worry about the Lions, you are a way better team than them. You should worry about Kompela taking Loftus from you.
The English Premiership title race suddenly being thrown wide open again with three rounds to play is an unexpected fillip for neutrals.
Of course it also heralds the start of a three-week white-knuckle ride for the respective global fans of log-leaders Chelsea and defending champions Manchester United, even if the latter’s are understandably buzzing again after the Red Devils made up three points on the London club at the weekend to breathe fresh life into the race.
Whether or not it is the case, United’s devotees would love to believe it was the beginning of a crucial momentum shift, a cranking up of the heat.
Love him hate him but Alex is one of the best ever
42 – Fender…….hahahaha. Thanks just a typo again from me 😯
There is so many permutations for the teams to reach the semis that every game played from now on actually can make a difference to the eventual outcome.
But this is how it should be, makes it interesting to watch.
I wonder how the grass looks now, that statement of Kompela was done a while ago, they say it improved a lot.
i see the Vodacom cup will be played on Loftus B, before the Bulls game, watch a game with a few beers and then strompel into the Bullring to watch the big one. Sounds like fun.
41 – Snoek, It sounded great. Think I may go up there later and see if any seats are still available. That City Lodge was only built in the last year or so. Great just across the road.
How awesome is that HUGE screen? I may just go up there is Saturday to watch the Blues/Sharks game.
Rolls Royce!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!! That is the absolute dream car.
And many top teams playing each other in the last few weeks. Stuff that legends are made of.
41 – By Car only a 5min drive for me upto MonteCasino.
Were there a few watching the game on the Big Screen? Normally a very good atmosphere there.
It’s probably too late for the Sharks to make the semifinals of the Super 14, but don’t try and tell their players that.
Even if they are not among the top four teams at the end of play on May 15, they no doubt have a major role to play in the South African challenge.
Their next game is against the Blues in Durban and that is followed by key derby games against the Bulls away and the Stormers at home.
“Those derby games are going to be very intense. The Bulls and Stormers should actually be hoping that the Sharks beat the Blues. If the Sharks lose, all the pressure is shifted onto the Bulls and Stormers,” said former Springbok and Sharks lock Mark Andrews.
“Every game is do-or-die for the Sharks now. The approach will be to take it game by game and not to think about what is awaiting them in two weeks’ time
“I have spoken to a few players there and they definitely believe they are still in with a chance for the semifinals.”
Puma, the wine list for that restaurant starts at R120 a bottle and goes up to R11 000. 😯
These city people have way to much money to waste. I had to drink some beer. 😆
47 – Snoek, all the top 6 teams will play their last like it was a final. They going to have too, otherwise can see one being knocked out. It is that close with the top 6. Also some very tough games for the top 3 to play. Reds have a easier route, though against the Stormers and Canes that is their hardest games the other two think they should win.
52 – Loooooooooooonnnnnggggghhhhhhh shot. But we will take it. 😆
53 – Snoek, that is the catch at all the restaurants at the MonteCasino. Their food not too bad in price but their wine is expensive. Think that is where they make up their money all the restaurants there.
54 @ Puma
Lets put it like this.
Anyone of 14 teams can still not make the semis.
52 – Super, It is a very, very loooooooooooooonggggggggggg shot for Sharks to make it. If we do I will be gobsmacked shocked….. 😯 😯
Just looking forward to the game against the Blues, Bulls and Stormers. Some big games for the Sharks.
57 – Snoek…..hehehe. Well said……hahahahaha. Good one.
There was a good article on sharksworld. Maybe we should run it. About who will make the play offs. All the different combinations who might who wont. Would make a interesting thread. Will go and look what they called that thread now. Thought it was interesting.
Cheers Puma, have some work to attend to. Catch up later.
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