Sharks look to heal
The details surrounding the Sharks’ heart-breaking defeat to the Bulls is something the management are reluctant to explore at the moment. The pain is still too close.
The Bulls stole victory in dramatic fashion last Saturday, with Bryan Habana scoring in the 82nd minute to get the visitors within one point. Derick Hougaard converted the try and at 20-19, the Pretoria franchise won their first Super 14 title.
Sharks technical adviser Grant Bashford admitted to Keo.co.za he had not looked at the video of the game, because the disappointment of ending the campaign in this vein remains fresh.
“These have been dark days and I have not wanted to watch the match again,” he said. “From what I remember, we lost a few line-outs but I don’t really feel it was that much of a problem. We certainly dominated the scrums, and we certainly were the better side at the breakdown. There weren’t many aspects where we lost that game.”
Sharks head coach Dick Muir was equally perplexed in the aftermath, but was reluctant to point the finger at any one individual player. Bashford agreed, and doesn’t think the conversion attempt missed by Frans Steyn (which would have given the hosts an unassailable 21-13 lead) was where the game was lost..
There is much debate as to why Steyn took the kick at all. Regular kicker Percy Montgomery was off the park, and Steyn apparently marched forward and said he would shoulder the responsibility.
“He wanted to take the kick and I don’t think he was wrong to step up. Ruan Pienaar did it against the Crusaders, and Frans put his hand up on this occasion. It’s a confidence thing, we have four great kickers in Ruan, Frans, Percy and Butch and anyone of them are capable of slotting those kicks. I certainly don’t think this game was lost on that kick.
“I think the Bulls may well be laughing and wondering how they won that game, just as the Crusaders may be wondering how we scored that try and beat them after the hooter.”
Bashford is of course referring to the incredible 27-26 win secured thanks to a last gasp try by Odwa Ndunagane. The Crusaders also failed to clear after the siren and the Sharks turned over possession and countered. Pienaar kicked the extra two from the touchline to claim the victory.
The Sharks management and players not involved with the Springboks will now enjoy a break from rugby before regrouping for the Currie Cup. This next week or so will be important in terms of overcoming that disappointment and focusing on a new competition, while the Sharks playing in the Autumn Tests would do well to leave their Super 14 woes behind.
“These guys had given their souls to the cause this season. Our build up in the earlier rounds was perfect, and our preparation for the final was perfect. But if you keep on reflecting on a match like that, you are going to end up killing yourself as a coach.
“We have some leave now and can then look forward to the Currie Cup. It’s important that we put the past behind us,” Bashford said.
By Jon Cardinelli
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:08 am
Sharks look to heal after losing out to first place in this thread.
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:09 am
This is the first time Zhak has finished first and second on the log.
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:14 am
The technical analyst fails to realize that it was composure that lost them the match. Both teams lacked composure, but it was the Bulls that found some composure when they went six points down.
It is unfortunate that the technical analyst fails to realize that the Sharks did not completely dominate the game. The Bulls probably screwed up more try scoring opportunities than the Sharks. Does anyone even remember that one of the Sharks’ tries was against the run of play?
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:16 am
before you know it the mighty sharks will be playing again in a Super 14 final. No reason why this won’t happen again. Bulls won – let’s move on. Living in Aus I tend not to bump into too many Bulls fans so it is tolerable.
What is more troubling is the recent interference on delgated selection duites. Soon “ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN” will be playing
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:21 am
It’s only two players out of 38, so I don’t see what the big deal is. Hoskins also get held accountable for the Springbok team, so it’s not just Jake White’s neck on the line.
Next time we’ll just have to concentrate on electing a genius to become president of SA Rugby.
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:34 am
gotta win the currie cup to heal
not sure they can
its very bad for them
thats life
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:38 am
Francois Styn missed when it mattered the most.
He cracked under pressure,again.
He is a great talent but not for this WC.
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:43 am
Remember not so long ago the Shorks were the whiping boys of the CC and S12.
They have come a long way with Muir.
Keo whaddaya say now abt the Guppies ? I recall a piece in the SA Rugby Mag which called ‘em JOKERS.
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:50 am
Too many games are decided through referring mistakes. Referees cannot be expected to be perfect. More needs to be done to assist them in making right decisions. The time has come to introduce one appeal against referree’s decisions per game for each team, as in American football. The coaches could make the appeals during the match and video replays could be used to reach the right decision. Commentators and viewers watching games usually see the errors. Why not make use of the technology? This HAS to happen, and happen SOON! It would reduce contentiousness in a big way and increase enjoyment of games. Keo, please take this forward and keep it in the news until it happens. It’s the right thing to do.
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:03 am
Sharkies – time heals. Great things happened in Durbs this year and you put massive pressure on the Bulls to step up!
Blue Bulls lost also in the last minutes vs the Cheetahs – so it takes time but you will get over it.
Great things will come out of this union/franchise in the years to come.
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:54 am
i agree Sharks can turn this into a positive. look forward. it is one of the finest rugby institutions in world rugby.
the talent that has come out of the sharks and is fantastic and long may it contiunue. rugby goes round in circles look at WP/Stormers going through turmoil and troubles but they too will bounce back and will be contenders so long as there is a desire to do so and of course so long as it makes commercial sense. As things stand SA rugby is in a strong position and we have a great chance this year to come out on top. I think the last time we had such a strong bunch of forwards we won the WC. Looking at our pack now it has huge talent and depth. Injuries aside we are in good shape. Time to look forward with an all SA final there was always going to be some disappointed South Africans. Roll on Tri Nations and WC
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:08 am
staal
As jy nog n hempie beskikbaar het – laat weet asb buddy! Ek sal hom koop ok! Gesien jyt op n ander thread gese jy hou een vir my. Thanx!!
dink jy het my mail – anders vra vir Grootblousmile. Thanx
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:34 am
Is anyone else starting to see nervous parallels between Frans Steyn and a certain Gaffie Du Toit 6-7 years back. A marvellous talent that couldn’t keep it cool when it counted…
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:39 am
PvZ.. Give the guy another season… He is talented and he did screw up in the final, no doubt. But hopefully he has leared a thing or two.
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:55 am
Next year the kiwis will be better, the sharks will be weaker, their tour longer and they’ll have only 6 home games. Everything was in their favour this year. The bulls winning the trophy is a far greater achievement, given the circumstances than a sharks victory would have been. Next year the sharks will have a much tougher task. The bulls on the other hand will be well placed to defend their title…
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 am
buying promotion out of B divisio rugby … R10mil,
buying a new rugby team and coach, R100mil….
watching the Sharks CHOKE in ANOTHER final …. PRICELESS!!!
Guess you can’t buy BMT!!
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:25 am
Tacitus
Not everything was in their favour – you forget that, by his own admission, the ref was definitely not in their favour.
I’m not really whingeing about the ref, I’m just reiterating what we all saw and what the ref admitted to.
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:39 am
Lets just wait and c what happens next year, the bulls played better this year due to some effort put into the backs and mixing it up a bit more than before. Both teams have shown that they can win away from home, specifically now with the demise of Aussie rugby.
I dont c the Bulls getting too much better with their current squad, some new blood is needed in certain positions, Julies needs more game time, I feel he is better than either current centers, Roets and Hougard are solid quality players, but if they want to take their back-line play to the next level they will need to improve on these positions.
If not they will have to stick to the SA tried and tested defend, defend, defend counterattack – which has proved to be a winning formula on this occasion.
Again, the bulls and sharks have shown that we have some good attacking flair amongst our ranks at times and times have looked great.
The Bulls decimated the Reds, but most teams in the top half could have put a cricket score against these guys if motivation was to get a home semi.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:04 am
Tacitus…
The Bulls have been in two consecutive S14 semi’s. They are by far the better team as far as recent history in the S14 is concerned, versus the Sharks. Two seasons ago, when the Bulls were playing an away semi the Sharks had just finished last on the log.
That kind of gives you some perspective as to how much the Sharks have actualy improved.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:05 am
Staal #10
Thanks Boet. We agree. A great Final one way or the other.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:16 am
Agreed tigershark. Sharks upward curve is the steepest. Will drop now, however, with ackerman, vd berg and aj approaching retirement, and monty and smit leaving for overseas…
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:18 am
Well Tac
I hope they dont drop, coz that just means a kiwi or Aus side will take their place. The Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions are not going to be pushing for the other semi place in the Sharks stead.
The Bulls will be fighting a lone battle again.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:30 am
Tigershark i agree but we must just keep our heads up and you’ll see the bulls will be history.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:32 am
Tacticus
If I recall correctly, the Sharks had the worst draw of the 2006 S14 season for a SA side, but they were still in contention for a semi-final right to the end.
Let’s face it. You just don’t like the Sharks, to the point that you will run them down against any other S14 team.
But that’s Ok. You’re entitled to your opinion.
In my opinion the Bulls is not a bad side, but some of their supporters sure sucks.
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 am
I believe Wonderbra are bringing out a new Bra called the SharkBra….
apparantly it has amazing support, but no CUP….
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:03 am
what do you call a Sharks supporter with a bottle of champagne?
Waiter!
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:07 am
How do you put a champagne cork back into the bottle?
Don’t ask me – I’m not a Sharks supporter!
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:13 am
24 Shark in Africa
Sharks did not have the worst draw – in fact they had the best ever draw. All the stars were aligned for a Sharks win if you look at the draw. We will have to see how good they are next year when they have the Bulls’ draw. Every second year is a draw from hell. This year it was the Bulls’ turn to have a draw from hell, which was complicated by losing against the Western Force. That is why the Bulls’ business plan was to win the S14 in 2008, not in 2007 already.
The Sharks had the following tough away games:
Force, Chiefs, Blues
The Bulls had the following tough away games:
Crusaders, Brumbies, Sharks, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Waratahs (the latter faded this year after having been perrennial semi-finalists)
we don’t count away games against Cheetahs, Lions and Stormers
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
William Shakespeare…
Shark In Africa said in 2006, not this year, 2007.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:32 am
What do you do after you draw the CC? Kiss your sister.
Thats the Bulls for you…
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:40 am
ha ha ..let me pitch in here.
Who is the backup kicker for the Sharks ?
John Smit.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:40 am
Sharks coaching staff ignore the basics.
Sharks/Bulls
1. penalties conceded 5/10
2. missed tackles 19/11
3. handling errors 12/7
4. turnovers conceded 11/3
Despite Lady Luck being with the Sharks all the way, they botched it (a gifted intercept try and Albert’s try that should never have been awarded).
Not finding touch, missing easy conversions (they have 4 international kickers in the team).
The Bulls, on the other hand, have BMT and they scored 2 well-worked tries. All odds were against them (compare the draws).
But most important of all, the scoreboard says the Bulls were the better team.
The Sharks staff would be well advised to analyse the stats above and the positive impact of the favourable draw. Then the result would not be such a big surprise…
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:44 am
29 quite right.
I apologise unreservedly.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:47 am
I am not a fanatical fan of the Sharks but for the final I was cheering for them. When Habana scored that try I switched off the television and have avoided this keo.co.za; sports sections of newspapers and will avoid Boots and All because I am very disappointed.
What about you guys who were directly involved, it must be the worst feeling that might even deprieve you your sleep. Hard luck, perhaps as they say everything happens for a reason – those young heads in your team need to know and experience how it feels to lose in those circumstances.
It might just mean winning the Super 14 Cup for the next two to three years.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:50 am
Was at the game on Saturday. Bulls supporters at the game were very humble in winning. Obvioulsy most of the Bulls that blog here weren’t at the game, ‘cos you oakes are sure not humble!!!
William Shakespeare last year the Sharks had the worst draw in history, having to cross the Tasmin 3 times and the Bulls still had to thank theirs and the Stormers sponsors for getting into the final.
Pieter #13 it was Mallet that stuffed up Gaffies and Dave Von Hoesselin’s career by blaming them for losing to New Zealand. Give Steyn a break the oak isn’t even 20 yet.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:52 am
#35 sorry semi final
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:20 pm
AS my tannie ballas gehad het was sy my oom….as….as….as!!!!!!Liefling!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:37 pm
31–anvil==i seem 2 miss ur joke-care to explain it?
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:39 pm
32-william—where did u suck those stats from-??reveal ur source pse
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:41 pm
35-wise words there cape shark
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:42 pm
37-ernest–gaan suig jou bal, flou tril
May 23rd, 2007 at 2:09 am
They don’t need to ‘watch the tapes’ just cast your minds back and you’ll dredge back memories of Butch James, gifting possession to the Bulls with an idiotic chip chick straight into the middle of the field & into the run on approcahing hands of the Bulls fullback.
I could not believe it!
It’s a good thing this game has come at the end of the season for fear of the team imploding with blame.
May 23rd, 2007 at 3:40 am
Gerhardt,
Go watch the final again and you just might get what I ‘m talkin about.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:53 am
jonnow (#25)
Classic man!!!
Also I thought Matfield’s after-match comment about the Sharks being the better team for 79 minutes were well spoken. Humility and respect – makes the world go ’round.
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:59 am
Gerhardus …..41
Liefling…………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As jy nie `n verloor kan hanteer nie hoe gaan jy nie aangaan AS julle wen nie….as as…..as as……..Liefling…!!!!!!!!
May 24th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Bulls ‘achieved the impossible’
24/05/2007 10:45 – (SA)
JJ Harmse
Trust the Bulls to achieve the impossible. Again, they defied the odds, as they did in all of 2007 and for that they will be remembered. They created their own destiny and stuck to their unbelievable spirit to win the Super 14.
Again, unfortunately, there was controversy that overshadowed their victory and the unbelievable achievement of the trendsetters in South African rugby.
The way the ball was won back to enable Bryan Habana to score that final try, is now suddenly the focus in many a newspaper and Steve Walsh is quoted as saying that he got it wrong.
Yes, he did, just two minutes earlier when Albert van den Berg’s try was awarded. It was clear that there was no way that he could have awarded the try, yet no one is doubting that call or why Walsh did not go to the TMO.
There is no doubt that Habana deserved a yellow card early in the game and to be honest, if the final was played in Australia or New Zealand, a red card would have been the most likely outcome.
However, there were also other calls where Walsh and the officials got it wrong. Just as everybody was wondering, why Frans Steyn rushed his last kick, but forgets that Percy Montgomery missed two sitters as well.
And as Habana is the real hero, everybody seems to forget that it was a conversion that won the game, not the try. If Hougaard missed, he would have been ostracised, but he succeeded and now Habana is the hero!
The Bulls know how it feels to lose out in the last minute. They have been waiting to jump on the crossbar, Jaco van der Westhuyzen-style, for three long years.
In 2005, that last gasp try by the Cheetahs ripped the Currie Cup away from the Bulls. Last year, during the drawn Currie Cup final, the Bulls had to sit and wait for the Cheetahs to complete their victory lap around Vodacom Park before they could lay their hands on the Cup they came to reconquer.
During this year’s competition, the Bulls shaped their destiny week after week. Remember, they had a home game less than the Sharks and dropped one of those when a really bad call by a touch judge cost them the match against the Force at Loftus.
And a week later, when Habana scored the winning try against the Chiefs, again after the buzzer, it was the moment that finally launched them towards the title.
Their three victories in Australasia were a fantastic first for South Africa, as was that memorable day against the Reds.
Sixth on the log
That game showed fans that this team would not give up. Remember, they started that game sixth on the log and finished it second.
I suppose one can write a glowing report on the Sharks as well. But in the words of Tiger Woods, second place is first loser. And that is unfortunately the way the Sharks will be remembered by those without any affinity for the black and white cause.
It was their big chance and they could not do it. Next year there will be no AJ Venter, Johan Ackermann, Percy, Bob Skinstad, Warren Britz, Albert or even John Smit, all who deserve to go out winners. Their departure is a huge, huge loss to **** Muir. He will be back, no doubt, to fight another battle, but somehow I feel he will not be as confident in his arsenal as he was in 2007.
The Sharks fans are in despair, the Bulls’ ones ecstatic, but even it if was the other way around, you can be sure that both teams will again have massive support in 2008. Even more than the Springboks.
But then, they are not continually undermined by politicians and edgy administrators. The Bulls and Sharks coaches, Heyneke Meyer and Muir are tipped for the national set-up. I could understand if both were reluctant to leave the empires they have built for what can only be described as organised chaos.
The Bulls fan or Sharks fan is totally committed to his/her team. The mess at national level will not make those fans jump ship to join the Springbok cause.
The success of last year’s Currie Cup, rated by many as one of the best yet, and the fantastic way the Super 14 ended, should have had fans flooding Bloemfontein to see the Springboks beat the hell out of the English. After all, Bok van Blerk has been reminding us how bad the English treated us in his song De La Rey. There is a reason why the N1 past Bloemfontein has no traffic jams.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates fans do not miss a game their teams play, but somehow Bafana Bafana does not hold the same attraction. The rugby fan feels the same way at the moment about the Springboks. Both sporting disciplines have the same problem: meddling politicians and unsure officials.
Chiefs and Pirates were established in the bad, bad days of segregation and separate development. Yet, in the new, democratic South Africa, their fan base is bigger than ever before. Does this mean their fans are still supporting the past, the old system or are racist? Of course not.
Maybe it is time for politicians and administrators to understand that like soccer fans rooting for Chiefs and Pirates, and rugby fans that support the Springboks (or the Bulls and Sharks for that matter) are not clinging to something that was good in bad days. They just want to feel proud and part of something special that speaks to the core.
And if any politicians or administrators with those values can step up, we will be proud of them too. Until then, it seems the Bulls, Chiefs or De La Rey will have to do.
Read JJ every Sunday in Rapport