Reds v Sharks, preview

April 05, 2007 - 4:06pm
Story by: Sportal

Venue & time

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Saturday 19.40 (AEST)

Head to head

Played 12: Reds 9, Sharks 3

Last time

April 1, 2006 (Durban): Sharks 36 - 28 Reds.

Walking wounded & team changes

Finally the Reds injury list is growing shorter instead of longer. Five Queenslanders are set to make their return with Wallabies lock Hugh McMeniman, fullback Clinton Schifcofske, centre Andrew Brown, hooker Sean Hardman and utility back Berrick Barners are all back this week. Schifcofske goes to fullback, Andrew Walker moves to the wing while Barnes comes back at inside centre.

Sharks coach Dick Muir is delaying naming his team until he is certain of the weather forecast. The extra time may give Springbok veterans, lock Johan Ackermann and fullback Percy Montgomery a chance to pass fitness tests. Ackermann would go into the second row and AJ Venter going back to his usual role in the loose forwards. If Montgomery does play, he would possibly take over at fullback with Francois Steyn moving to the wing and Odwa Ndungane going to the bench.

Form

The Reds may have lost seven games on the trot but they have been in the contest for many of the matches. They have been stricken by injuries for most of the season but have five top-line players back and are stronger than they have been for some time.

After starting the season with seven straight losses, the Sharks have lost two consecutive games to the Brumbies and the Western Force. They haven't been beaten by too much however and are still racking up the line breaks but their finishing has been a bit off. It is hard to see such a quality team lose three in a row.

Who's hot

Andrew Walker has been in dazzling form for the Reds in attack while Mitch Chapman and John Roe have been outstanding up front.

Sharks teenage fullback Francois Steyn had a massive game against the Force and was equally impressive against the Brumbies the week before. The kid is a freak and is a star in the making. Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar continues to shine while the Sharks loose trio of Jacques Botes, Bob Skinstad and Ryan Kankowski looked ominous last week against the Force.

Teams

Reds

1. Tama Tuirirangi,
2. Stephen Moore,
3. David Te Moana,
4. Hugh McMeniman,
5. James Horwill,
6. Mitch Chapman,
7. David Croft,
8. John Roe, (capt),

9. Nic Berry,
10. Quade Cooper,
11. Peter Hynes,
12. Berrick Barnes,
13. Ben Tune,
14. Andrew Walker,
15. Clinton Schifcofske.

16. Sean Hardman,
17. Herman Hunt,
18. Ed O’Donoghue,
19. Tom McVerry,
20. Will Genia,
21. Andrew Brown,
22. Brando Va'aulu.

Sharks (probable line-up)

1. Deon Carstens,
2. John Smit (c),
3. BJ Botha,
4. Johan Ackermann,
5. Johann Muller,
6. Jacques Botes,
7. Bob Skinstad,
8. AJ Venter,

9. Ruan Pienaar,
10. Butch James,
11. JP Pietersen,
12. Grant Rees,
13. Waylon Murray,
14. Francois Steyn,
15. Percy Montgomery.

16. Bismarck Wilhelm du Plessis,
17. Tendai Mtawarira,
18. Albert van den Berg,
19. Ryan Kankowski,
20. Keegan Daniel,
21. Odwa Ndungane,
22. Adrian Jacobs.