Sharks v Blues Super Rugby Preview

Ma'a Nonu was still with the Blues the last time they played the Sharks
Ma’a Nonu was still with the Blues the last time they played the Sharks

The Sharks can keep their hopes of reaching the Super Rugby play offs mathematically alive by beating the Blues this weekend but they will also be playing for a proud record.

The Sharks have played the Blues 16 times in Super Rugby since 1998 and have won 12 of the matches. The Sharks have therefore only lost four times to the Blues and overall they have won 75% of their matches against the Blues.

Incredibly though the Sharks have won the last 8 consecutive matches against the Blues.

The Blues preparations for this match have not been ideal as their All Blacks only arrived from New Zealand on Monday and Tuesday as they played France on Saturday.

Keven Mealamu and Rene Ranger have been named on the bench for the Blues who say this is a must win match.

The Sharks have been in the headlines a lot this week as coach John Plumtree has left his position early and his assistants have taken over coaching of the team.

Sharks

15. Riaan Viljoen , 14. Odwa Ndungane , 13. Louis Ludik , 12. Butch James , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 10. Pat Lambie , 9. Charl McLeod , 8. Keegan Daniel (C) , 7. Willem Alberts , 6. Marcell Coetzee , 5. Franco van der Merwe , 4. Edwin Hewitt , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 2. Kyle Cooper , 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements : 16. Bismarck du Plessis , 17. Danie Mienie/Wiehahn Herbst , 18. Jandre Marais , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Jacques Botes , 21. Cobus Reinach , 22. Jaco van Tonder.

Blues

15. Charles Piutau,14. Frank Halai,13. Jackson Willison,12. Francis Saili,11. George Moala,10. Chris Noakes,9. Piri Weepu,8. Peter Saili,7. Luke Braid,6. Steven Luatua,5. Ali Williams (C),4. Anthony Boric,3. Angus Ta’avao,2. James Parsons,1. Tim Perry

Replacements : 16. Keven Mealamu,17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi,18. Kane Barrett / Culum Retallick,19. Brendon O’Connor,20. Jamison Gibson-Park,21. Baden Kerr,22. Rene Ranger.

-planet rugby

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