Rob du Preez scored 38 points as the Sharks staved off a second-half comeback from the Blues to claim a stunning 63-40 win in Auckland on Saturday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
Where has this Sharks side been all season? Coming into this clash, the Sharks had managed just one win from five games, and yet they produced a performance of physicality and accuracy that has been sorely missing from their play up to this point.
The Sharks delivered a remarkable first-half effort as they powered into a 26-7 lead, and even when they conceded three quickfire tries in a dramatic start to the second stanza, the visiting side displayed enough class and composure in the final quarter to close out a much-needed win.
This is the sort of result that could ignite a turnaround in the Sharks’ campaign as they vindicated coach Rob du Preez’s assertion in the lead-up to this clash that the team wasn’t far away from clicking into gear.
Considering the Sharks’ disappointing losses to the Brumbies and Rebels in recent weeks, the Durban-based side would have known the importance of making a strong start to this clash in order to settle their nerves.
As it turned out, the visitors could not have scripted it any better as they raced out to a 13-0 lead after a try by captain Ruan Botha and a couple of penalties converted by flyhalf Du Preez, laid an early foundation.
The opening quarter had completely belonged to the Sharks, but the battling Blues did threaten to spark a momentum shift when fullback Michael Collins finished off a scintillating try in the 22nd minute.
However, the Sharks quickly seized control again as Du Preez slotted two more penalties, while a beautiful break from André Esterhuizen and a powerful try-scoring finish from Jean-Luc du Preez sent them into a commanding 26-7 lead at the break.
The half-time interval seemed to completely disrupt the Sharks’ momentum, though, as they made a scrappy start to the second period, while S’bu Nkosi was also sent to the sin bin for a high tackle.
In his absence, the Blues piled on the punishment as Akira Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu and Stephen Perofeta each scored excellent tries in the space of eight minutes as the hosts suddenly shot into an astonishing two-point lead.
Just at it looked as if the Sharks had blown an unassailable lead, this remarkable contest saw the Durbanites hit back through tries from Tera Mtembu and Rob du Preez as they established a 12-point buffer heading into the final quarter.
There was no way back for the Blues when winger Jordan Trainor was then yellow-carded for taking Lwazi Mvovo out in the air, and Du Preez knocked over a couple more penalties to extend his stunning personal points haul.
Kobus van Wyk and Curwin Bosch scored two final tries for the Sharks to ensure their points tally would go well beyond 50 points, and although Rieko Ioane and George Moala did go over for consolation scores for the Blues, this contest completely belonged to the South Africans.
Blues – Tries: Michael Collins, Akira Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu, Stephen Perofeta, Rieko Ioane, George Moala. Conversions: Stephen Perofeta (4), Bryn Gatland.
Sharks – Tries: Ruan Botha, Jean-Luc du Preez, Tera Mtembu, Rob du Preez, Kobus van Wyk, Curwin Bosch. Conversions: Rob du Preez (6). Penalties: Du Preez (7).
Blues – 15 Michael Collins, 14 Jordan Trainor, 13 George Moala, 12 Rieko Ioane, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Jerome Kaoino, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Goodhue, 3 Mike Tamoaieta, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Bryn Gatland, 21 TJ Faiane.
Sharks – 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (c), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Tyler Paul, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk.
Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/photosport.nz
