The Sharks billing as Super Rugby champions-in-waiting faces it’s toughest test this weekend in Canberra as the highly anticipated clash as the Brumbies and the Shakrs face off.
The match is being pitched as Jake White’s return to Canberra, but surely it should be billed as the grand final preview? This is where one of the teams can claim early bragging rights and a psychological edge for a potential grand final match-up.
The Sharks hopes have received a set-back over the last two rounds when they were dumped 34-18 on their home ground by the eighth-placed Highlanders during the 11th round. And in round 12, had an unconvincing 22-16 win over the 11th placed Rebels.
The Sharks hold on to a precarious five point lead at the top of the table, with the Brumbies and Chiefs closely nipping on their heals. The Sharks’ lengthy reign in first place now looks shaky with three games left on their four-match trip to New Zealand and Australia, where they still have the Brumbies, Crusaders and Blues yet to play.
The Highlanders delivered the Sharks’ first home loss of the season, ending their run of five wins at Kings Park and making more significant their apparent vulnerability in away games.
Three-time champions the Bulls may provide an object lesson to the Sharks in their recent tour to Australia and New Zealand. The Pretoria-based Bulls lost all four matches on their Australian tour, making a severe dent to their finals hopes and confidence – which was apparent on their return to home against the Lions last weekend.
Where as the Brumbies have this match at home against the Sharks, they then travel to South Africa where they play this seasons strugglers, the Stormers and Cheetahs. Where the Sharks next three games looks anything but straight forward, the Brumbies run home looks relatively easy.
Standings in the New Zealand conference have been shaken up in the last two weeks, with the back-to-back champions dropping from the top spot, only to reclaim it last weekend. With the Blues gaining a victory against the Reds, Crusaders over the Brumbies, the Chiefs over the Lions, and the Hurricanes falling to the Waratahs in arguably the best match so far this season, the race for top spot in the Shakey Isles is too close to call. All five Kiwi teams are with-in a bonus point win of each other.
The Highlanders and Hurricanes have rushed into playoffs contention with recent wins, though the Chiefs — hard-hit by injuries — have struggled with three losses, two draws and two wins in their last seven games.
In the South African conference, there is little doubt over who will take the top spot, the Sharks are still in first place but there is an 11-point gap back to the Bulls in 10th.
The title race has really heated up, and based on current form, and with fixtures to come, at this stage, the Brumbies have become the Rugby Banter Page’s tip to take out the title in 2014.
Who do you think will win?