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South Africa: Sharks, Stormers Hoping to Cast a Spell
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Business Day (Johannesburg)
16 May 2008
Posted to the web 16 May 2008
Zeena Isaacs
Johannesburg
THE Hurricanes and Waratahs will enter the final Super 14 league stage this weekend under a bad luck spell if the Stormers and Sharks get their way.
The Stormers and Sharks -- in fourth and fifth place respectively on the log standings -- will be glued to their television sets when the second-placed Hurricanes face the Blues in Auckland today, and the Reds host the third-placed Waratahs is Brisbane tomorrow, as defeats for those teams could benefit SA's semifinal hopefuls greatly -- should they win their respective games.
At best, defeats for the Hurricanes and Waratahs could earn the Stormers or Sharks an invaluable home semifinal and at worst -- depending on victories for SA's teams -- it could guarantee them semifinal spots.
The Stormers face the Lions at Ellis Park tomorrow in an emotionally-charged match and the Sharks battle it out with the Chiefs in Durban.
While the Stormers might find themselves having to wait for the conclusion of the Sharks' match to know their fate in the competition, the Durban-based team will have the luxury of determining their own destiny as they will know exactly what needs to be done to book their place in the play-offs when they run onto the field.
Stormers centre and captain Jean de Villiers admitted yesterday that their main objective at Ellis Park would be to win the match, rather than focusing too much on winning with a bonus point and big margin.
"The Lions are a quality team, so it is not going to be easy," said De Villiers. "We have to win the game, so four points is our goal. But we will see what happens because our destiny is not entirely in our own hands."
The Stormers will start the game as favourites because of the high stakes in this game and the quality of their side.
However, the Lions proved last week against the Chiefs that they could beat some of the top teams when the pressure is on, especially since they plan to use this game to build toward a good Currie Cup season.
The Stormers will have to overcome the intimidating presence of the Lions looseforward combination of flanks Cobus Grobbelaar and Joe van Niekerk and No8 Willem Alberts, in particular, to keep alive their semifinal hopes.
But given the quality of the Stormers' backline with halfbacks, scrumhalf Ricky Januarie and flyhalf Peter Grant and centres De Villiers and Gcobani Bobo in good form, the Lions' defence has to be solid.
Sharks coach Dick Muir expected an equally fierce contest against the Chiefs, who are also in the race for a playoff place.
But he was delighted that unlike a few other teams, they would know exactly what to do to earn a place in the top four.
"This game is going to be a massive challenge for us because the Chiefs are a classy outfit," said Muir. "We are expecting a massive onslaught from them, especially with everyone writing them off after coming unstuck against the Lions last week. But we relish challenges."
Commenting on the fact that the Sharks will play the last pool game, Muir said: "It is a huge advantage for us because our destiny is in our own hands. We have been working toward earning a place in the semifinals all season and we have a chance to achieve that."
Given the quality of the sides and the permutations of a victory for both teams, the game should be a humdinger.
However, counting in the Sharks' favour is the fact that a few of the Chiefs star players -- including No8 Sione Lauaki (hamstring), wing Sitiveni Sivivatu (ankle) and Steve Donald (neck) -- were sidelined with injuries this week, which could rob the visitors of key players.
Coach Ian Foster is expected to delay the call on their fitness as late as possible.
In other games, the Western Force meet the Brumbies in Perth today, while the Crusaders play the Highlanders in Christchurch and the Cheetahs and Bulls do battle in Bloemfontein tomorrow.
n SA Rugby's strategic communications manager Andy Colquhoun confirmed that the national selectors would be announced after next Friday's presidents' council meeting and that former Bok coach Jake White's selectors, Ian McIntosh and Peter Jooste, met new Bok coach Peter de Villiers yesterday to finalise the 45-man training squad to be announced tomorrow after the Sharks' game.
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In another development, former Cats and Pumas coach, Chester Williams, has been named Emerging SA team coach. He will guide the team in their title defence in Romania.
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