Waratahs
Waratahs
25
SYDNEY FOOTBALL STADIUM
SATURDAY, 6 MARCH 2010
7:40PM (local time)
21
Sharks
Sharks
 
15
S Anesi
14
L Turner
13
T Carter
10
D Halangahu
8
W Palu
7
P Waugh
6
D Dennis
5
K Douglas
3
A Baxter
2
T Polota-Nau
1
B Robinson
16
D Fitzpatrick
17
S Kepu
18
W Caldwell
19
B Mowen
20
J Holmes
Preview: Waratahs v Sharks
By Steve Orme, Sportal

VENUE & TIME:Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Saturday March 6, 7.40pm (AEDT)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 15 – Waratahs 9, Sharks 5, Draw 1
LAST TIME: May 9, 2009 (Durban) – Waratahs 16-12 Sharks (round 13)
LAST TIME AT VENUE: May 24, 2008 (Sydney) – Waratahs 28-13 Sharks (semi-final)

Match Odds:
Luxbet: Waratahs: $1.35, Sharks $3.20

WALKING WOUNDED: Dean Mumm has been rushed back into the side at starting lock, with Dave Dennis moving into the No.6 jumper at the expense of the unlucky Ben Mowen who reverts to the bench. Tatafu Polota-Nau is expected to play despite missing the second half against the Bulls with a hamstring problem. Prop Benn Robinson will also take his place in the starting line-up after aggravating a shoulder injury in Pretoria. New Zealand born lock Cam Jowitt (ankle) is on target for a return next week, while veteran hooker Adam Freier is still at least a month away following off-season back surgery.
The Sharks have made several changes to the line-up that lost to the Crusaders last start, but none of them are the result of injury. Ruan Pienaar shifts from flyhalf to scrumhalf allowing Englishman Andy Goode to wear the No.10 jumper, while Rory Kockott has been dropped to the bench. Inside-centre Riaan Swanepoel returns to the starting line-up after an injury plagued start to the campaign in the other change to the backline. Keegan Daniel will start at flanker ahead Jacques Botes as part of a rotational policy, while Deon Carstens, captain John Smit and Jannie du Plessis complete a new-look front row.

FORM:
Waratahs Past Five:
Week 3: Loss , 48-38 v Bulls, Pretoria
Week2: Loss, 27-6 v Stormers, Cape Town
Week 1: Win, 30-28 v Reds, Brisbane
Week 14: Win, 38-33 v Lions, Johannesburg
Week 13: Win, 16-12 v Sharks, Durban

FORM:
Sharks Past Five:
Week 3: Loss , 35-6 v Crusaders, Christchurch
Week2: Loss, 25-20 v Cheetahs, Durban
Week 1: Loss, 19-18 v Chiefs, Durban
Week 14: Loss, 27-26 v Bulls, Durban
Week 13: Loss, 16-12 v Waratahs, Durban

The 11th-placed Waratahs produced an impressive display against the Bulls and probably deserved more than the four-try bonus point they received for their efforts. In what was a brutal yet entertaining clash against the defending champs, Chris Hickey's men more than held their own up front while the star-studded backline appeared to turn the corner after a stuttering start to the season against the Reds and Stormers.
Stephen Donald's kick after the siren in Round 1 which snatched victory from under the Sharks' noses, appears to have triggered a major unravelling for John Plumtree's men who are now languishing in 12th place. Having dropped their first two games to the Chiefs and Cheetahs at home, the Sharks kept pace with the Crusaders for the opening 69 minutes in Christchurch before conceding three late tries to spark rumours of serious discontent within the camp.

WHO'S HOT: Much-maligned scrumhalf Luke Burgess answered his critics with an impressive display against the Bulls. The 26-year-old, who relinquished his Wallabies jumper to Reds No.9 Will Genia last season, produced several sniping runs and vastly-improved service for his outside men to claim man-of-the-match honours in a losing side.
The Sharks have no fewer than 14 Springboks on their books, but none of them are playing like Test players at present.

WE THINK: It's make-or-break time for both teams but based on recent form the Waratahs should be far too strong for a Sharks side that has scored one try in three games so far this campaign. After being panned in the South African press all week, the visitors are sure to come out fired up and will more than likely be within striking distance with 20 minutes to go but the Waratahs will get home by about 10 points in the end.

TEAMS:

Waratahs:
15. Sosene Anesi, 14. Lachie Turner, 13. Tom Carter, 12. Berrick Barnes, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Daniel Halangahu, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh (c), 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Al Baxter, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Will Caldwell, 19. Ben Mowen, 20. Josh Holmes, 21. Kurtley Beale, 22. Rob Horne

Sharks: 15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 12. Riaan Swanepoel, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Andy Goode, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Johann Muller, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. John Smit (c), 1. Deon Carstens
Reserves: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Tendai Mtawarira, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Rory Kockott, 22. Waylon Murray.


REFEREE: Paul Marks
 
Preview: Waratahs v Sharks
By Steve Orme, Sportal

VENUE & TIME:Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Saturday March 6, 7.40pm (AEDT)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 15 – Waratahs 9, Sharks 5, Draw 1
LAST TIME: May 9, 2009 (Durban) – Waratahs 16-12 Sharks (round 13)
LAST TIME AT VENUE: May 24, 2008 (Sydney) – Waratahs 28-13 Sharks (semi-final)

Match Odds:
Luxbet: Waratahs: $1.35, Sharks $3.20

WALKING WOUNDED: Dean Mumm has been rushed back into the side at starting lock, with Dave Dennis moving into the No.6 jumper at the expense of the unlucky Ben Mowen who reverts to the bench. Tatafu Polota-Nau is expected to play despite missing the second half against the Bulls with a hamstring problem. Prop Benn Robinson will also take his place in the starting line-up after aggravating a shoulder injury in Pretoria. New Zealand born lock Cam Jowitt (ankle) is on target for a return next week, while veteran hooker Adam Freier is still at least a month away following off-season back surgery.
The Sharks have made several changes to the line-up that lost to the Crusaders last start, but none of them are the result of injury. Ruan Pienaar shifts from flyhalf to scrumhalf allowing Englishman Andy Goode to wear the No.10 jumper, while Rory Kockott has been dropped to the bench. Inside-centre Riaan Swanepoel returns to the starting line-up after an injury plagued start to the campaign in the other change to the backline. Keegan Daniel will start at flanker ahead Jacques Botes as part of a rotational policy, while Deon Carstens, captain John Smit and Jannie du Plessis complete a new-look front row.

FORM:
Waratahs Past Five:
Week 3: Loss , 48-38 v Bulls, Pretoria
Week2: Loss, 27-6 v Stormers, Cape Town
Week 1: Win, 30-28 v Reds, Brisbane
Week 14: Win, 38-33 v Lions, Johannesburg
Week 13: Win, 16-12 v Sharks, Durban

FORM:
Sharks Past Five:
Week 3: Loss , 35-6 v Crusaders, Christchurch
Week2: Loss, 25-20 v Cheetahs, Durban
Week 1: Loss, 19-18 v Chiefs, Durban
Week 14: Loss, 27-26 v Bulls, Durban
Week 13: Loss, 16-12 v Waratahs, Durban

The 11th-placed Waratahs produced an impressive display against the Bulls and probably deserved more than the four-try bonus point they received for their efforts. In what was a brutal yet entertaining clash against the defending champs, Chris Hickey's men more than held their own up front while the star-studded backline appeared to turn the corner after a stuttering start to the season against the Reds and Stormers.
Stephen Donald's kick after the siren in Round 1 which snatched victory from under the Sharks' noses, appears to have triggered a major unravelling for John Plumtree's men who are now languishing in 12th place. Having dropped their first two games to the Chiefs and Cheetahs at home, the Sharks kept pace with the Crusaders for the opening 69 minutes in Christchurch before conceding three late tries to spark rumours of serious discontent within the camp.

WHO'S HOT: Much-maligned scrumhalf Luke Burgess answered his critics with an impressive display against the Bulls. The 26-year-old, who relinquished his Wallabies jumper to Reds No.9 Will Genia last season, produced several sniping runs and vastly-improved service for his outside men to claim man-of-the-match honours in a losing side.
The Sharks have no fewer than 14 Springboks on their books, but none of them are playing like Test players at present.

WE THINK: It's make-or-break time for both teams but based on recent form the Waratahs should be far too strong for a Sharks side that has scored one try in three games so far this campaign. After being panned in the South African press all week, the visitors are sure to come out fired up and will more than likely be within striking distance with 20 minutes to go but the Waratahs will get home by about 10 points in the end.

TEAMS:

Waratahs:
15. Sosene Anesi, 14. Lachie Turner, 13. Tom Carter, 12. Berrick Barnes, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Daniel Halangahu, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh (c), 6. Dave Dennis, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Al Baxter, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Will Caldwell, 19. Ben Mowen, 20. Josh Holmes, 21. Kurtley Beale, 22. Rob Horne

Sharks: 15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 12. Riaan Swanepoel, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Andy Goode, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Johann Muller, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. John Smit (c), 1. Deon Carstens
Reserves: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Tendai Mtawarira, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Rory Kockott, 22. Waylon Murray.


REFEREE: Paul Marks
 
80:00 Waratahs have won 25-21.
 
76:30 Only some huge Tahs defence has kept the Sharks out, and a cheeky Beale hand has stopped a definite 5 pointer. He's been yelling carded, and Sharks camped in Tahs territory.
 
72:45 Sharks hot on attack, could be the game right here. A bit of concentrated pressure on the Tahs line, a lot of pick and drives being employed.
 
69:00 There's been some confusing refereeing decisions in this match, and he's just missed some of the most blatant forward passes of the season. Game still on a knife edge.
 
65:20 This game is still up for grabs for both teams, the side to score next will most likely go on to win it with the momentum their way. Tahs forwards probably have the dominance right now.
 
61:25 Couldn't really say one team was dominating, both sides are in good form. Goode missed a 50m penalty, but otherwise no real scoring opportunities.
 
57:30 CONVERSION SHARKS - Goode makes a good kick. Tahs lead 25-21.
 
56:00 TRY SHARKS - Sharks get the ball in Waratahs half for the first time in a while, and the Tahs simply don't D up well and Jacobs finds the overlap out wide.
 
53:20 CONVERSION WARATAHS - Another easy one for Barnes. Tahs lead 25-14.
 
51:50 TRY WARATAHS - Tahs retain a bit of possession finally and Polota-Nau gets the pill at full pace to score right between the sticks.
 
48:00 Game has turned into an old fashioned kickfest, plenty of them are pretty aimless however. Anesi doing very well under the high ball.
 
43:55 Both teams have started strongly in the second half, looking to hold on to possession for as long as possible. Handling has been very good in the game, with perfect conditions overhead.
 
40:00 Half time here in Sydney with the Tahs leading 18-14.
 
38:20 Barnes misses an easy conversion (a bit of justice perhaps?), but the Tahs have taken the lead 18-14.
 
37:20 TRY WARATAHS - Don't no what to make of that TMO decision, but they've given Carter the try after he barges over some poor Sharks defence.
 
34:00 CONVERSION WARATAHS - Easy points for Barnes from right in front. Sharks lead 14-13.
 
32:30 TRY WARATAHS - Tahs finally get some possession in Sharks territory and the Africans are overun on defence. Halangahu finds some space and barges over near the posts.
 
31:20 PENALTY SHARKS - Waratahs infringe on their own line at the breakdown, and Pienaar slot a great kick from out wide. Sharks lead 14-6.
 
28:30 The difficult conversion is missed, and the Sharks lead 11-6.
 
27:00 TRY SHARKS - You won't believe it, but the 13 men have scored! A horrific lineout throw gets intercepted and Kankowski runs the length of the field to score.
 
23:30 ... and now it's a 2 man advantage. Goode gets some cardboard for slowing the ball down on his own line. Dubious call at best.
 
21:10 du Plessis gets yellow carded for a blatant trip after a Barnes chip kick. Waratahs hot on attack with a man advantage.
 
17:55 PENALTY SHARKS - Waratahs give away a stupid penalty (I can see a pattern...) right in front of the posts, and Goode obliges. 6-6 halfway through the first period.
 
14:00 Neither team really stamping any authority on this match, a lot of aimless kicks being put in. Very open game it must be said, could be a high scoring affair.
 
10:10 PENALTY WARATAHS - More sloppy play from the Sharks gives Barnes another easy 3 pointer from right in front. Tahs lead 6-3.
 
06:15 DROP GOAL SHARKS - 45m out, nothing really happening until Goode decides to hack an attempt at goal which barely fly's through the posts. What a kick! 3-3 here in Sydney.
 
02:30 PENALTY WARATAHS - Sharks make an absolute hash of the kickoff and Barnes collects the first points of the match from 22m out. Tahs lead 3-0.
 
00:01 Welcome to the Sydney Football Stadium where the Waratahs are taking on the Sharks.
Waratahs
Sharks
0%
Possession
100%
 
 
 
0
Scrum Wins
0
0
Lineouts Wins
0
0
Rucks & Mauls
0
0/0
Tackles / Missed
0/0
0
Turnovers
0
0
Penalties Conceded
0
 
 
80:00 Waratahs have won 25-21.
 
76:30 Only some huge Tahs defence has kept the Sharks out, and a cheeky Beale hand has stopped a definite 5 pointer. He's been yelling carded, and Sharks camped in Tahs territory.
 
72:45 Sharks hot on attack, could be the game right here. A bit of concentrated pressure on the Tahs line, a lot of pick and drives being employed.
 
69:00 There's been some confusing refereeing decisions in this match, and he's just missed some of the most blatant forward passes of the season. Game still on a knife edge.
 
65:20 This game is still up for grabs for both teams, the side to score next will most likely go on to win it with the momentum their way. Tahs forwards probably have the dominance right now.
 
61:25 Couldn't really say one team was dominating, both sides are in good form. Goode missed a 50m penalty, but otherwise no real scoring opportunities.
 
57:30 CONVERSION SHARKS - Goode makes a good kick. Tahs lead 25-21.
 
56:00 TRY SHARKS - Sharks get the ball in Waratahs half for the first time in a while, and the Tahs simply don't D up well and Jacobs finds the overlap out wide.
 
53:20 CONVERSION WARATAHS - Another easy one for Barnes. Tahs lead 25-14.
 
51:50 TRY WARATAHS - Tahs retain a bit of possession finally and Polota-Nau gets the pill at full pace to score right between the sticks.
 
48:00 Game has turned into an old fashioned kickfest, plenty of them are pretty aimless however. Anesi doing very well under the high ball.
 
43:55 Both teams have started strongly in the second half, looking to hold on to possession for as long as possible. Handling has been very good in the game, with perfect conditions overhead.
 
40:00 Half time here in Sydney with the Tahs leading 18-14.
 
38:20 Barnes misses an easy conversion (a bit of justice perhaps?), but the Tahs have taken the lead 18-14.
 
37:20 TRY WARATAHS - Don't no what to make of that TMO decision, but they've given Carter the try after he barges over some poor Sharks defence.
 
34:00 CONVERSION WARATAHS - Easy points for Barnes from right in front. Sharks lead 14-13.
 
32:30 TRY WARATAHS - Tahs finally get some possession in Sharks territory and the Africans are overun on defence. Halangahu finds some space and barges over near the posts.
 
31:20 PENALTY SHARKS - Waratahs infringe on their own line at the breakdown, and Pienaar slot a great kick from out wide. Sharks lead 14-6.
 
28:30 The difficult conversion is missed, and the Sharks lead 11-6.
 
27:00 TRY SHARKS - You won't believe it, but the 13 men have scored! A horrific lineout throw gets intercepted and Kankowski runs the length of the field to score.
 
23:30 ... and now it's a 2 man advantage. Goode gets some cardboard for slowing the ball down on his own line. Dubious call at best.
 
21:10 du Plessis gets yellow carded for a blatant trip after a Barnes chip kick. Waratahs hot on attack with a man advantage.
 
17:55 PENALTY SHARKS - Waratahs give away a stupid penalty (I can see a pattern...) right in front of the posts, and Goode obliges. 6-6 halfway through the first period.
 
14:00 Neither team really stamping any authority on this match, a lot of aimless kicks being put in. Very open game it must be said, could be a high scoring affair.
 
10:10 PENALTY WARATAHS - More sloppy play from the Sharks gives Barnes another easy 3 pointer from right in front. Tahs lead 6-3.
 
06:15 DROP GOAL SHARKS - 45m out, nothing really happening until Goode decides to hack an attempt at goal which barely fly's through the posts. What a kick! 3-3 here in Sydney.
 
02:30 PENALTY WARATAHS - Sharks make an absolute hash of the kickoff and Barnes collects the first points of the match from 22m out. Tahs lead 3-0.
 
00:01 Welcome to the Sydney Football Stadium where the Waratahs are taking on the Sharks.
Waratahs
Sharks
0%
Possession
100%
 
 
 
0
Scrum Wins
0
0
Lineouts Wins
0
0
Rucks & Mauls
0
0/0
Tackles / Missed
0/0
0
Turnovers
0
0
Penalties Conceded
0
 
 
Waratahs sneak home
By Steve Orme at the SFS, Sportal
The Waratahs have withstood a late onslaught from a desperate Sharks line-up to post an unconvincing 25-21 victory in slippery conditions at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

Despite enjoying a two-man advantage midway through the opening stanza after two Sharks players were issued with yellow cards, the hosts somehow trailed on the scoreboard before tries to Daniel Halangahu and Tom Carter saw them take a slender lead into the interval.

Chris Hickey's men threatened to run away with the contest when man of the match Tatafu Polota-Nau scored early in the second half, but the Sharks, winless in their first three games of the campaign, hit back through Springbok centre Adrian Jacobs to close within four points with 25 minutes on the clock.

The visitors were clearly the stronger side in the final quarter and looked destined to steal the points when Kurtley Beale was sin-binned for a deliberate knock down that denied them an almost certain try in the 78th minute.

But the lacklustre hosts were granted a reprieve when referee Paul Marks controversially penalised the visitors for obstruction in the final lineout of the contest to hand the Waratahs their second win of the campaign.

The defeat leaves the Sharks' season in tatters while the Waratahs now sit mid table on nine competition points through four rounds.

Berrick Barnes' early penalty was cancelled out by a long-range drop goal from former England international Andy Goode in the fourth minute of play.

Barnes added another three points soon after but the Sharks again drew level on 17 minutes when Goode slotted a penalty goal after a sustained attacking raid from the visitors.

Momentum swung firmly in favour of the Waratahs when Sharks prop Jannie du Plessis was yellow carded for tripping Halangahu in the 21st minute before Goode joined him in the sin bin three minutes later after a professional foul.

But the Waratahs, who produced six handling errors in the opening 30 minutes of the match, inexplicably failed to cross despite their two-man advantage.

And the Sharks made them pay when explosive No.8 Ryan Kankowsi swooped on a terrible pass from Luke Burgess and sprinted 50 metres to put the visitors ahead 11-6 after 26 minutes.

Ruan Pienaar increased the buffer with a penalty goal on the half-hour after Kankowski almost scored his second try moments earlier.

Pienaar quickly turned villain when he allowed the ensuing kick-off to bounce to gift the hosts ideal field position.

It wasn't pretty but the Waratahs finally took advantage of the extra man when Halangahu crashed over for a converted try to cut the deficit to a solitary point before Carter restored the lead.

A lack lustre start to the second half attracted boos from sections of the crowd, but they had reason to cheer when Polota-Nau torpedoed over the line 11 minutes in, with Barnes adding the extras for a 25-14 lead.

But a badly botched re-start from the Waratahs let the Sharks back into the contest, as Adrian Jacobs crossed untouched after a sustained attack, to trim the deficit to four points with 25 minutes remaining.

Waratahs 25
Tries: Halangahu, Carter, Polota-Nau
Cons: Barnes 2
Pens: Barnes 2

Sharks 21
Tries: Kankowski, Jacobs
Cons: Goode
Pens: Goode, Pienaar
Drop goals: Goode

@ Sydney Football Stadium, 6/03/10. Crowd: 20,651
Waratahs
Sharks
0%
Possession
100%
 
 
 
0
Scrum Wins
0
0
Lineouts Wins
0
0
Rucks & Mauls
0
0/0
Tackles / Missed
0/0
0
Turnovers
0
0
Penalties Conceded
0