A 100%-plus effort by an inspired and highly motivated Sharks pack of forwards piloted the Sharks to a most impressive 32-15 Vodacom Super 14 rugby victory over the Auckland Blues before 27 000 enthusiastic spectators at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
Their close-knit driving disrupted the New Zealanders time and again, and three times the Blues crumbled near their line to concede tries that they may have been expected to defend on any other given day.
The Sharks, after leading 20-5 at the break, take home a bonus package of five points as they scored five tries to two — three in the first half when the pack was dominant and two in the second as the Blues tired against the ferocious defence of the home side.
The Blues, however, were never out of the hunt even though they go home pointless from this Durban encounter as their ever-dangerous runners Doug Howlett, Anthony Tuitavake, Isa Nacewa and Joe Rokocoko in the backline were always a threat along with flyhalf Luke McAlistair and substitute scrumhalf Junior Poluleuigaga in the latter stages.
In a game of such intensity there were casualties, and one of these saw flyhalf tactician Tony Brown of the Sharks replaced by the mercurial Brent Russel who, operating from the fullback berth at first, showed some neat touches and intelligent cooperation with his fellow players.
It was not the best start for the Sharks. From the kick-off the Blues controlled possession, and with the ball whipped across from wing to wing, the speedy Doug Howlett was across the line for a try scored with the game just a minute old.
The Sharks pack then gained valuable ground with a forward rush of intense proportions, but when the ball was spilled on attack, the ever-dangerous Blues runners Anthony Tuitavake and Joe Rokocoko threatened mayhem.
But once again the Sharks pack came to the party and, after another great push up the left touchline, scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar popped a pass to wing Odwa Ndungane who got the equalising try.
With the Sharks pack dominating the tight phases, Pienaar was able to get over from close quarters and in similar vein Deon Carstens broke off the side of the scrum for a third Sharks try before half-time.
The early stages of the second half saw the Blues reduce the deficit by 10 points inside of the first quarter with a converted try to centre Anthony Tuitavake and a penalty to flyhalf Luke McAlister.
But once the Sharks forwards regained some momentum, they secured a bonus-winning try through lock Albert van den Berg who had come on as a substitute for Johan Ackerman.
Play became a trifle scrappy as the warm afternoon took its toll on the players as far as the big men were concerned. But the Sharks stood firm in defence with some solid hits over the torrid last 15 minutes as the New Zealanders threw everything into a series of concentrated and electrifying runs.
However, the Sharks rounded off in style when, from broken play, flanker Jacques Botes dived over for try number five for the Sharks. — Sapa