Super 14 Preview: Blues vs Sharks

Blues (fifth, two wins, one loss) vs Sharks (third, three wins)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 5.30pm (local), 3.30pm (AEDT)
Head to Head: Played 16: Blues 8, Sharks 8

Last year: Sharks 22, Blues 17 at Durban

One of Super Rugby great rivalries continues.  The early matches between the Auckland Blues and the KwaZulu Natal Sharks were classic matches, with the sides meeting in the 1996 Super 12 final, and again in the semi finals a year later.

Certainly, the status of this match will not be lost on either team, as the home team—whom are three time champions—and the visitors—who were runners up in the 2007 Super 14 and arrive as current Currie Cup champions—both of these sides can challenge for the title.

The home team return to Auckland, and they may be somewhat travel weary having starting their campaign with three consecutive away matches. 

But, nothing inspires confidence and form like winning, and while the Blues psychologists would have worked hard to erase their 59-26 stampeding by the Bulls, 10 competition points from three games is an excellent return.

Furthermore, while Tasesa Lavea and Anthony Boric are injured, the slow return of the Blues front line All Blacks is giving the team a formidable look.

Five All Blacks in their pack are headlined by Jerome Kaino, Tony Woodcock and the returning Ali Williams.  These are three players who would be a certainty in a World team. 

In the backs, three All Blacks buttress their attack, but it has been the form of Taniela Moa and Paul Williams that has made the Blues look as if they may be the real deal this year.

The typical “Polynesian” flair is present, and their hard hitting offensive tackling style was magnificent against the Stormers last week.

But most importantly, after getting smashed by the Bulls, they came into Newlands with their heads up, lesson learned, and ready to move on as a good team should.

The term litmus test is overused in sports, but this game will be one for both of these sides and the winner will be able to proudly boast that they are in good shape for a finals tilt.

The Sharks roll into town though in imperious form.  They won 11 straight games to take the Currie Cup title, and in their last three Super Rugby regular seasons they have lost only 15 matches from 41 matches. 

While questions marks still exist over their attack; as such queries did last year.  But there is no doubting their brilliance at the set piece, and their outstanding defence.  There 2009 evolution has continued with an immaculate kicking game, looking far beyond any other side so far this season.

A test representative pack looks so impressive, that World Cup winning captain John Smit warms the bench.  But with Springboks from 10 to 15 in the backline, it will take a special effort from a special team to dent the momentum that looks to carry the Sharks to their third straight top four spot.

While the Blues have won five of eight against the Sharks in Auckland, the South Africans won 32-25 on their most recent visit.  In fact, the incoming visitors have won their last four against the Blues—although the last time they played at Eden Park, the Blues won 36-13.

This will probably be the tightest match of the round, but while the Blues may be travel weary, I think home advantage will give them the edge by six points.

Blues:15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Paul Williams, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Onosa'i Auva'a, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements:16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Jay Williams, 19 Josh Blackie, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 Benson Stanley.

The Sharks:15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (c), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements:John Smit, Deon Carstens, Alistair Hargreaves, Skholiwe Ndlovu, Ross Cronjé, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu.