Michael Mentz
If Super Rugby semifinals were won on paper the Sharks would probably be booking their flights to New Zealand for a showdown with either the Chiefs or Crusaders.
The Keegan Daniel-captained Durban side has class, experience and is undoubtedly the in-form side in the competition, but then it won’t be the first match this season that skipper Jean de Villiers and the Stormers will enter with a team sheet that has fewer superstars than their opponents – and let’s not forget that the Western Cape unit finished top of the overall standings.
The real question for the men in blue and white will be whether they will be able to stick to what has worked well this season and show the same devotion to their structures.
If there has been one trademark of their showing this season it is that in every of the whopping 14 victories this season, there was always a sense of urgency to control the match situation.
From that platform the Stormers built several very solid innings and although not always pleasing to the purist’s eye, they did what was needed to ensure the results went their way.
In contrast, the Sharks were as bad at times as they were good in recent weeks.
Lapses in concentration against some very average teams have put them in this position where they will have to circle the planet to win the trophy.
Some of the similarities between the semifinalists include the benefits they have reaped from several youngsters coming through the ranks, while the return to form of some of the senior personnel was just as exciting to behold.
Heading into the contest, both sides stuck with what they knew best and as always, the respective coaches were only complimentary about their rivals.
Sharks coach John Plumtree was quoted as saying this week: “They have a real belief in what they do, their leadership is clearly very strong because they get out there and play consistent rugby each week.
“That’s why they finished at the top, that’s why they’re in a situation where, if they beat us, they get a home final.
“They also feed off the fact that they have a lot of good players but don’t have as many Boks as some of the other teams. That motivates them as well.”
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee in turn complimented what even he recognises as the “in-form” side.
Said Coetzee: “They are the in-form side – they have gone across to Australia and beaten the reigning champions, which says a lot about the Sharks.
“They are a team that can play the big matches and they will rock up here with a lot of confidence, but I can assure you that our preparations have gone well.”
michaelm@thenewage.co.za
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Article source: http://www.thenewage.co.za/57407-10-53-Super_15_giants_in_home_straight