Sharks 38-12 Highlanders Match Report & Analysis- Poor Lima Sopoaga performance in Durban

The Sharks produced one of their finest performances of the 2018 Super Rugby season as they swatted aside the Highlanders 38-12 in Durban. The visitors, who had upset the Bulls in Pretoria the week before, would’ve fancied their chances against Rob du Preez’s men, but the home side dominated from the word go and were a totally different side from the one that had got mauled by the Bulls before the bye week.

Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga had a poor outing for the Highlanders. He was first beaten to an early box kick by Ruan Botha, which allowed Akker van der Merwe to score in the first minute of the game. For the Sharks next try, he was unable to stop Makazole Mapimpi in a one on one, and when the score was 14-7, he made an error in claiming a high ball that resulted in a scrum to the Sharks, and a subsequent penalty that flyhalf Rob du Preez scored.

Du Preez set up some scintillating tries, with his brothers Jean-Luc and Daniel in equally good knick. The loose forwards’ hands did let them down a bit in the first half, but the offloads stuck in the second, and the Sharks were even able to get a bonus point at the end, something that could help them in what’s becoming a crowded looking SA Conference table.

How important is Tendai Beast Mtawarira to the Sharks?

They tend to look a bit lost without him, and his reassuring presence at scrum time again helped them establish set piece dominance over the Highlanders, whose hopes of winning the NZ conference were dealt a huge blow with this loss.

SBW BNZ Sponsor Logo Covered- Sonny Bill Williams Collar Logo on Blues Shirt Tape

Sonny Bill Williams made his return in a Blues jersey today against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr and it appeared that he had the BNZ logo on the collar covered. Reason unknown, but perhaps Williams’ faith does not allow him to endorse banks that charge interest?.

Check out the BNZ logo blanked out on SBW’s jersey Continue reading “SBW BNZ Sponsor Logo Covered- Sonny Bill Williams Collar Logo on Blues Shirt Tape”

Australian Super Rugby Attendances 2017- SR 2017 Crowds in Australia Conference

Click here for Australia Super Rugby Crowds & Attendances 2018 season

Here is a page that details attendances from Australian Super Rugby home fixtures for the 2017 season. Will be regularly updated- last update done after Brumbies vs Hurricanes playoff game game on 21 July, 2017.

Please note that on several occasions, teams do not release official attendance figures- especially in the case of the Rebels, so we’re unable to add crowds for those games. Continue reading “Australian Super Rugby Attendances 2017- SR 2017 Crowds in Australia Conference”

GIF Video Jaco Kriel vs Matt Faddes | Kriel shows great pace & saves try in Lions-Highlanders Super Rugby Semifinal

Fantastic pace shown from Lions flanker Jaco Kriel to effect this try saver on Highlanders centre Matt Faddes in their Super Rugby semifinal at Ellis Park on 30 July, 2016 Continue reading “GIF Video Jaco Kriel vs Matt Faddes | Kriel shows great pace & saves try in Lions-Highlanders Super Rugby Semifinal”