Sharks sniff bonus point against Rebels

The Sharks are eyeing off a valuable bonus-point Super Rugby win when they host the Melbourne Rebels in Durban on Sunday morning (AEST).

The Sharks will be hunting a valuable bonus point when they host the struggling Melbourne Rebels in their Super Rugby clash in Durban early on Sunday morning (AEST).

The rampant Sharks, who are second in their conference, have won their past seven matches at home while the injury-ravaged Rebels are yet to crack their first win on South African soil.

Coming off the bye, Sharks coach Robert du Preez said that despite his team's dominance, they couldn't afford to be complacent against the Australians.

"Definitely not, the Rebels are defensively very good and with two big wings, they like to get the ball out wide," du Preez told the Sharks' website.

"They've been a bit unlucky at times this season so we're certainly not taking them lightly."

While his side was eyeing a bonus-point win which could help them secure a Super Rugby finals berth, du Preez said that simply winning had to be the main goal.

"I've said right from the start that we want to play ball in hand rugby, we want to score tries," he said.

"That hasn't really materialised, but it's definitely top of mind.

"But their win over the Brumbies showed that on the day, anything can happen so we're going to have to bring our 'A' game."

Mebourne's upset win over the Australian conference leaders was their first of the season, but they have had to make five changes to that starting team.

Three of those were forced with versatile forward Lopeti Timani suspended, lock Dom Day (back) injured and in-form flanker Colby Faingaa remaining in Melbourne ahead of the birth of his first child.

Will Miller will make his Super Rugby debut at No.7 while former Reds back-rower Jake Schatz will start for the first time this year.

Rebels coach Tony McGahan was frustrated to have to make changes to his winning side.

"A little bit disappointing to get a good result last week and then try and create some momentum and go back-to-back and that is disrupted," he said.

"It's always important to go back-to-back and have some consistency in your play."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world