OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Thursday 1.10pm.
THE Sharks can expect a warm welcome from the Wellington Hurricanes when they clash in a Super 12 match at the new WestpacTrust Stadium in Wellington on Friday night.
The home-side is expecting a sell-out 34500 crowd for the match, and the Hurricanes also sport two new coaches in Graham Mourie and Bryan Williams.
The Hurricanes, however, have not been the most consistent performers in the Super 12, and have lost three of the four matches they have played against the Sharks, traditionally South Africa’s strongest team in the tournament.
The Sharks are missing some of their old stalwarts like Gary Teichmann, Henry Honiball and Andre Joubert, with Former Springbok Hugh Reece-Edwards replacing the retired Ian McIntosh as coach. The side is fairly new, but still highly formidable, with a massive troop of forwards.
The Sharks will be looking to dominate up front and keep the game as tight as possible. Their inside-centre/flyhalf combination is a strong one, and they are likely to play a tight game.
There are expansive runners in the side, but they cannot compare to the Hurricanes’ back three of Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu and Tana Umaga. All three players are capable of turning the match with one break, and Lomu thundering down the touchline is virtually unstoppable.
The Hurricanes will certainly be looking to play the game fast and wide, denying the Sharks opportnity to dominate their smaller forwards. If the Sharks have it their way, the ball will be turned over quickly and played with the forwards until the backs get within striking range.
The scene is set for an interesting tussle, and while the Hurricanes have home-support and some very good runners, the Sharks will be too strong in the forwards and should get the win.