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Sharks coach promises Blues `physical match'

The South African Sharks' JP Pietersen, left, is tackled by the Queensland Reds' Andrew Walker during their Super 14 rugby match in Brisbane, Australia, on April 7. PHOTO: AP

Coastal Sharks coach Dick Muir has promised the Auckland Blues a "physical match" when the teams meet in a Super 14 semi-final at Absa Stadium today.

The Sharks, who finished on top of the points table after the round robin stages, are seeking to qualify for just their third final, while the Blues are looking to reach the final for the fourth occasion.

The Blues won the Super rugby crown in the competition's first two years, in 1996 and 1997 when they downed Natal (now the Sharks) 45-21 and the ACT Brumbies 23-7 respectively.

They lost to the Canterbury Crusaders the following year, but won their third title in 2003 after beating the Crusaders 21-17.

History tells us the men from New Zealand have a far better record in the southern hemisphere inter-provincial competition, but this has been the Sharks' year.

However, it didn't appear that way in the early stages of the league fixtures when the Blues led the table after a great start to their campaign.

A string of poor results towards the end of the league, combined with the Sharks' late run allowed Muir's men to top the log. In the end, David Nucifora's Blues had to settle for fourth spot.

Even though the Sharks got the better of the Blues in Auckland earlier in the competition, the teams are very evenly matched.

Both have powerful packs, and skillful loose forwards, while at the back, the Sharks rely heavily on scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar to keep them going forward. For the Blues, the strike force is in midfield where Isaia Toeava will pose plenty of questions for the Sharks defenders.

They, however, won't be able to call on All Blacks lock Ali Williams, who was sent home from the trip because of his alleged late-night partying before coming to South Africa.

Muir admitted on Thursday that there was very little separating the sides.

"We have similar styles, they are a very physical side as well and can move the ball around," the Sharks coach said.

"It's going to be about opportunities and converting them. We are mindful of what needs to be done, and although bonus points don't come into the reckoning, we will go out in search of tries," he said.

Muir further said all the pressure was on his side, something Nucifora alluded to earlier in the week.

"We've been under the radar in Durban," the Blues boss said.

"Of course we're underdogs. You don't do a few laps of the world and then turn up against the team that topped the log and expect to be made favorites. The expectation is certainly with the home team," Nucifora told reporters in Durban.

While most pundits here are confident of hosting an all-South African final next weekend -- the Northern Bulls face the Canterbury Crusaders in the other semi-final in Pretoria -- Nucifora said he was hopeful it's going to be an all-New Zealand affair.

"It's not as crazy as it sounds. Anything is possible in this competition," he said.

Teams

* Sharks: Percy Montgomery, Francois Steyn, Waylon Murray, Bradley Barritt/Adrian Jacobs, J.P. Pietersen, Butch James, Ruan Pienaar, Ryan Kankowski, A.J. Venter, Jacques Botes, Johann Muller, Johan Ackermann, B.J. Botha, John Smit (captain), Deon Carstens/Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira/Patric Cilliers, Albert van den Berg, Warren Britz, Bob Skinstad, Rory Kockott, Adrian Jacobs/Odwa Ndungane.

* Blues: George Pisi, Doug Howlett, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulff, Isa Nacewa, Steve Devine, Nick Williams, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Nick White, Angus MacDonald, Justin Collins, Taniela Moa, David Holwell, Ben Atiga.
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