Sharks against the tide ahead of Eden Park clash against Blues

15 April 2016 - 02:31 By Khanyiso Tshwaku

The Sharks have had a rough three weeks, with back-to-back home defeats against the Crusaders and the Lions.Then Marcell Coetzee's season-ending knee injury threw a spanner into Gary Gold's works.However, Saturday morning at Eden Park in Auckland they face one of their favourite opponents among New Zealand's Super Rugby franchises, the Blues.The Sharks are on a 10-match winning streak against All Blacks great Tana Umaga's side that dates back to April 16 2005, when Xavier Rush's side beat John Smit's sorry lot 36-12 at Eden Park. That year the Sharks could not buy a win.With Saturday's game taking place 11 years to the day since they last beat the Sharks, the portents are good for the Blues.But they will have to do without blockbusting loose-forward Blake Gibson. The 20-year-old tearaway blindside flank is looking at a lengthy stretch on the sidelines with a broken thumb.What they have lost in Gibson, though, could be found very quickly in the vastly experienced Tanerau Latimer, should he start. He is bracketed with Kara Pryor in the starting 15.Umaga has made one other change to the side that lost 29-23 to the Chiefs - Lolagi Visinia replaces Melani Nanai at fullback.Coetzee's injury forced changes on the Sharks, as did their malfunctioning scrum.Lourens Adriaanse will start at tighthead prop ahead of a struggling Coenie Oosthuizen, while Philip van der Walt, now over a neck injury, slots in at No8.Stephan Lewies will start at lock after withdrawing late last week, while Daniel du Preez steps into Coetzee's No6 jersey.Gold has taken the safer option of persisting with Franco Marais to start and Kyle Cooper on the bench, while Mahlatse "Chilliboy" Ralepelle gets back to full fitness after a two-year drugs ban.While Gold seems to have neglected breakdown issues, with Du Preez deputising as openside flanker, he seems to be scarred by the beating his scrum took at the hands of the Lions and Crusaders."Parity at scrum time will be vital if we are to give ourselves enough chances to launch attacks."We must be much more accurate at setpieces and discipline is a priority," Gold said."The Blues played really well against the Chiefs and would have been disappointed not to have won. Under Tana Umaga they seem to be more settled. They have massive ball carriers, a good setpiece and, obviously, electric backs."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.