It was supposed to be a massive try gorge and disappointing turned out to be a somewhat unexciting display from two sides that desperately need to score bonus point wins. But the faithful will say that a win is a win and technically the Sharks can still keep the dream of a playoff spot breathing yet it is now firmly in the hands of the other team's results. Needing to score a win with 4 tries the Sharks only managed to cross the line once and seemed pretty content to take the win without too much creativity in evidence when it came to running the ball.
For the past 2 years in the Super 14 a total of 41 points has been enough to secure a fourth place spot but even if the Sharks play out of their skins and record wins against the final three teams, which include the Bulls and Stormers, and score a bonus point for tries it will only leave them on 40 points which is not looking like enough at this stage.
How on earth can we believe they can get a maximum of 5 points in the remaining three matches though when they have only done that once since 2008 and that was against the porous defense of the Lions a couple of weekends back? There does seem to be a severe lack of originality amongst the backline players to invoke some sort of method to make consistent incursions over the advantage line. And although their defense improved greatly against a good Blues side you just felt that even with the ball in hand the Sharks were going to struggle to do anything miraculous. At the start of the second half it was apparent that the players themselves lacked belief and seemed happy to secure the win through kicks at the poles. Nobody seemed to play badly, in fact it is heartening to see the Sharks scrum looking so solid and settled, no problem with the forwards. Probably it is the lack of ability in a backline that might be without the services of JP Pietersen in the next match that requires the most attention.
Still It is difficult to feel unhappy about a win especially considering the way the Sharks started the season and loads of recognition need to be give to the Sharks and Plumtree for turning around what was looking like their very own “annus horribilis”. Yet with the Super 14 drawing quickly to an end Sharks fans will be hoping that they don’t look back on the season and say “what if…”
With what is promising to be the tightest finish to the Super 14 in history the Sharks are gallantly holding on and trying to stay part of the tournament for as long as possible. It is going to be touch and go but as Shrek so aptly put it “…Now I’m a believer…Not a trace of doubt in my mind.’’
Purely hypothetically speaking:
Sharks in theory could qualify with 39 points but it all depends on the results of other matches and it is impossible to predict it. But if the die hard Sharks fan was writing the script this is what they would want to see happen:
Week 12
Sharks v Bulls: Sharks win with a bonus point 5 Points
Hurricanes v Chiefs: Chiefs win 4 points
Brumbies v Reds: Reds win 4 points
Waratahs v Highlanders: Waratahs win 4points
Crusaders v Stormers: Crusaders win 4 points
Points Standing at the end of Week 12:
| 1. | Bulls | 39 |
| 2. | Crusaders | 38 |
| 3. | Reds | 38 |
| 4. | Waratahs | 37 |
| 5. | Stormers | 34 |
| 6. | Sharks | 30 |
| 7. | Brumbies | 27 |
| 8. | Hurricanes | 27 |
Week 13
Sharks v Stormers: Sharks win 4 points
Hurricanes v Reds: Hurricanes win 4 points
Brumbies v Highlanders: Brumbies win 4 points
Waratahs v Chiefs: Waratahs win 4 points
Bulls v Crusaders: Bulls win 4 points
Points Standing at the end of Week 13:
| 1. | Bulls | 41 |
| 2. | Waratahs |
41 |
| 3. | Reds | 38 |
| 4. | Crusaders | 38 |
| 5. | Sharks | 34 |
| 6. | Stormers | 34 |
| 7. | Brumbies | 31 |
| 8. | Hurricanes | 31 |
Week 14
Sharks v Force : Sharks win 5 points
Hurricanes v Waratahs: Waratahs win 4 points
Brumbies v Crusaders: Brumbies win 4 points
Reds v Highlanders: Reds win 4 points
Bulls v Stormers: Stormers win 4 points
Final Log Positions
| 1. | Waratahs | 45 |
| 2. | Reds | 42 |
| 3. | Bulls | 41 |
| 4. | Sharks | 39 |
| 5. | Stormers | 38 |
| 6. | Crusaders | 38 |
| 7. | Brumbies | 35 |
| 8. | Hurricanes | 21 |
Mission Impossible ? What other possibilities are there?
