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Sharks v Western Force
Venue: The ABSA Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 7.10pm (local, 3.10am, Sat 15 May, AEST)
Referee: Pro Legoete
The Western Force might have missed out on the chance of recording three straight wins for the second time this season when they lost to the Cheetahs, but they can still finish off their South African tour with something new by beating the Sharks.
The Western Australians have lost at both of their previous appearances in Durban, and have won just one of four previous appointments with the Sharks.
The Force lost 25-41 on their first visit to The ABSA Stadium in 2006 with wingers Cameron Shepherd (Force) and Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), who will both feature again this weekend, each scoring two tries in that match.
Shepherd was a try-scorer again a year later, as the Force scored its sole win over the Sharks to date, 22-12 in Perth. On the Force’s most recent visit to Durban two years ago; their margin of defeat was seven.
Ndungane, who scored during the Sharks 20-14 win over the Stormers last weekend, picked up his third career try against the Force during last year’s 12-point win at Subiaco.
JP Pietersen and Rory Kockott were also try-scorers in that match, with the goal-kicking halfback Kockott certain to feature again this weekend after playing a starring role for the Sharks during their upset of the Stormers. Kockott has been in and out of the line-up this year, but his reinstatement at halfback, which moved regular custodian Ruan Pienaar out to flyhalf in the place of English import Andy Goode, allowed the Sharks backline to ‘come good’ last weekend.
The greater fluency that eventuated meant that the locals were always in control as they worked to the sixth win of their last seven outings. That includes four straight wins at home, after they opened with consecutive defeats against the Chiefs and Cheetahs.
Those losses looked like they would be costly at the time, and that impression has since been confirmed, with the Sharks’ conquerors now lying 10th and 11th respectively on the championship table. The Sharks are ninth, but could yet go higher should other results around them fall favourably. A finish in the top half of the field, which is still possible, would represent a remarkable comeback for a side which lost its first five games.
The Force has also experienced a revival after a tardy beginning which saw the side drop its opening six. The Western Australians have won four of the last six, which has given them a possibility of climbing as high as the 11th rung in the final standings. For that to occur, the Force needs to beat the Sharks, and then hope that the currently 11th Cheetahs falter at home to the Lions. Last weekend’s defeat at Bloemfontein, where the Force shipped some soft tries, was the Western Australians’ fifth loss on South African soil. They have won six and drawn one.
Overall, the Force have won 12 games against South African opposition, which includes wins over the Stormers and Lions this year, while losing 11 and drawing one.
Last Year – Sharks 22, Western Force 10 at Perth
The Last Time – They might not have won a Super 14 title, but the Sharks haven’t lost to the Stormers during the competition period either, completing the fifth straight win over their Western Cape rivals, 20-14. For the second time this year, the Western Force missed the opportunity for three straight wins, losing out to the Cheetahs 14-29 at Bloemfontein.
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Originally Posted by travelling_gerry
