DURBAN – South African Super Rugby teams are notorious for struggling in Australia after having done well in New Zealand, but Sharks coach Sean Everitt is confident his team can kick this anomaly into touch when they visit the Reds in Brisbane tomorrow.
The Sharks beat the Highlanders in Dunedin on their first week on tour, but then lost by five tries to three in Wellington against the Hurricanes. Last week they struck back admirably in beating the Rebels in Ballarat, this time scoring five tries of their own.
“We are confident that if we stick to playing a positive brand of rugby we can finish off our tour with a win,” Everitt said.
The Reds have an impressive tight five that has been under the guidance of former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn, but that should not be a death knell for the Durbanites, according to Everitt.
Everitt said that if the Sharks can get on top up front early in the game they have the firepower to see off the Reds. To that end, and in the interests of refreshing his pack,
Everitt has benched both of his flanks, tearaway James Venter and blindsider Tyler Paul, giving starts to Henco Venter and bright young spark Dylan Richardson.
Reds coach Brad Thorn. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Both of these players are fiery customers who will more than state their case. In the backline, Lukhanyo Am will resume his captaincy after a break.
Am returns at outside centre for Jeremy Ward, who reverts to the bench, while Makazole Mapimpi takes a break.
The Sharks side is:
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am (capt), 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche.
Substitutes:
16 Craig Burden, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Jeremy Ward.