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Match Highlights - Sharks sneak play-off spot, Lions secure second
By Peter Hanson
The Sharks booked their spot in the Super Rugby play-offs thanks to a workmanlike victory over the Jaguares in Durban on Saturday.
A costly defeat for the Rebels against the Highlanders earlier in the day left the door ajar for the South African franchise, who duly took the invitation with a 20-10 win.
Tries from Akker van der Merwe and Kobus van Wyk, coupled with three penalties from Robert du Preez, whose brother Dan was sin-binned in the first half, helped the Sharks to a 17-point cushion by the 53rd minute.
Sebastian Cancelliere's converted score reduced the arrears, but the Jaguares were unable to bring themselves back into the contest.
The Sharks' dubious reward for making the quarter-finals is a tie with the Crusaders, who dominated the regular season.
A 38-12 victory over the Bulls at Ellis Park ensured the Lions finished second behind the Crusaders in the overall standings.
The Waratahs' defeat to the Brumbies allowed the Lions to take advantage and Ruan Combrinck's brace, scores from Malcolm Marx, Courtnall Skosan and Aphiwe Dyantyi, and a penalty try secured a comfortable win and a possible home semi-final.
Swys de Bruin's men will face the Jaguares in the last eight.
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Latest Comments
Were you shocked by Sexton trying to rip Barrett's head off when he scored that final try in that return game?
Sexton once again the beneficiary of incredible double standards. Some of the rules simply didn't apply to him. The referee even watched that replay about 5 times in slow motion to see if he grounded the ball. If an NZ player had made that tackle it would have been a yellow card.
Ireland led by Sexton were the biggest bunch of whingers to ever play the game. NZ's dislike of Ireland was not caused by losing to them, it was caused by the Irish players, commentators and media being such giant crybabies.
I genuinely think Ireland are the best team in the world, and I think they will beat the ABs on Friday, but they are by some distance the team I like the least, and I know many people, not just from NZ, who feel the same.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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