Hollywoodbet Sharks v Saracens Champions Cup Report

Last weekend’s game at a Rain-sodden Kings Park produced a forward-dominated, error-prone contest. Sorry this was such a late report folks, but nonetheless its here now. It was an entertaining contest and yet a highly frustrating one at the same time. Sharks struck early from a maul through Siya Kolisi and then weathered Saracens’ period of possession dominance in which the Wolfpack scored twice through forward platforms and kicking opportunities. The Sharks regained control early in the second half with two further tries (including van der Merwe and Williams) and Whitehead’s perfect kicking kept the scoreboard ticking. Saracens pressed late — piling on territory and possession and slotting penalties to narrow the gap — but a frantic last-ditch Saracens drive was defended and repelled and Sharks held on for a 28–23 win.

It was always going to be a difficult one what with the lengthy flight, terrible weather conditions and 25 degree humid heat when we have been used to near zero degree temperatures and frost pitches. So be it, sarries were always going to give this one their best shot and see what happens.

First Half

•  Early Sharks pressure. Sharks win a penalty and kick to the corner; from the ensuing rolling maul Siya Kolisi powers over and is awarded the try. Whitehead converted and it was already 7-0. As per usual, a slow sarries start. Saracens responded with tactical kicking, trying to pin Sharks deep. Saracens’ pack begins to dominate in mid-field scrums and lineouts and this did show. It didn’t take us long to build into the game though, eith Theo Dan (from Saracens build-up) crossing from a driving maul 15 minutes in. Fergus Burke was unable to convert however but the score was a more respectable 7-5 to the Sharks. Things got better for Sarries not long after. After a clever Elliot Daly grubber kick, Fassi fumble the wet bouncing ball and allowed Sam Spink to gather and, much to his and his teammates delight, cross for 12-7 to Sarries on 27minutes. Saracens continued to find those territorial advantages — kicking intelligently to touch with terrible conditions for running rugby and making phases count. Lineouts were well executed and provided a stable foundation for first phase play. Sarries were able to win a scrum penalty on 32 minutes which Burke happily kicked over to make 15-7. Sharks were not about to go down without a fight though. George Whitehead converted a Sharks 38 minute score from Aphelele Fassi thanks to s barnstorming run from Andre the Giant Esterhuizen and sustained forward pressure. Things got better for Sharks when, after Andy OC collapsed a driving maul and an advantage was given, the ball was spun wide to find Edwill van-der Merwe who could dot down untouched. The conversion was kicked and now it was 21-15 and we were in danger of losing touch with a previously subdued opposition. A half time reset was required.

Second Half

The second half started with saracens pressure and as we pushed for territory; phases became more and more difficult and testing in rain-soaked conditions. Sharks defended resolutely and with grit, holding the wolfpack away from the try line. Saracens win territory and work phases, but handling errors slowed progress. A Fergus Burke penalty (Saracens) narrows scoreline to 21-18 and we kept mounting the pressure. Unfortunately, a reckless and clumsy high tackle from Theo Dan on back Makazole Mapimpi earned him 10 minutes in the bin — Sarries went down to 14 men and this was where our problems really started to mount. Ethan Hooker broke the sarries defensive line and offloaded to Grant Williams who got the sharks a 3^rd score under the posts. 28-18 and we were now in danger of taking nothing from this game with just 20 minutes to salvage points. On the 65^th minute, and to their credit, the Sarries players were able to drive Angus Hall over the line to make the score 28-23 and give sarries a fighting chance of stealing a late win in monsoon like weather. We kept pushing until the end, and won a penalty (plus sharks also had Nick Hatton sent to the sin bin) that led to a 5m lineout  Hadfield’s throw led to a contest and the Sharks managed to scramble possession and clear. Final phases saw Saracens come close but unable to score the decisive try. A disappointing  loss, especially since the game was far closer than 5 point margin suggested.

Key statistics — set piece & team metrics (EPCR official match centre)

Set piece

• Lineouts won: Sharks 16 won; Saracens 12 won.
• Lineout success: Sharks 100%; Saracens 80%.
• Scrums won: Sharks 5; Saracens 8.
• Scrum success: Sharks 83%; Saracens 89%.

General match stats

• Possession: Sharks 44%, Saracens 56%.
• Territory: Sharks 43%, Saracens 57%.
• Carries: Sharks 72, Saracens 102.
• Metres made: Sharks 230 m, Saracens 196 m.
• Clean breaks: Sharks 7, Saracens 4.
• Defenders beaten: Sharks 13, Saracens 16.
• Tackles made / success: Sharks 130 (82% success), Saracens 98 (84% success).
• Turnovers won: Sharks 4, Saracens 7.

Those numbers show the match nuance: Saracens had more possession, territory, carries and offloads, and won more scrums, but the Sharks were highly clinical from lineouts and mauls. They effected more clean breaks and crucially converted their try opportunities btter than Sarries — and their lineout/maul success (100% lineout success + effective maul scores) made the difference. They, in my opinion, played the conditions better than Sarries too.

Tactical/technical takeaways

• Sharks’ set-piece & maul efficiency: The Sharks converted a lineout/penalty to a close-range rolling-maul try early (Kolisi) and their 100% lineout success under wet conditions removed a potential Saracens avenue to pressure. That platform converted to points at pivotal moments.
• Saracens’ territory and pressure: Saracens dominated territory and the majority of possession and put the Sharks under sustained pressure, generating penalties and scrums; they also secured more turnovers (7) and more scrums won (8). However, in slippery conditions they couldn’t finish a last-gasp lineout drive.
• Kicking & discipline: Burkes’ penalties kept Sarries in the fight but Whitehead’s perfect kicking for conversions for the Sharks (4/4) was decisive. Wet weather increased handling errors and made the kicking game / set pieces decisive.

Notable players

• Siya Kolisi (Sharks) — early maul try and strong leadership in heavy conditions; influential in close quarters.
• George Whitehead (Sharks) — 4/4 with the boot, accurate in testing conditions; pivotal to reaching 28 points.
• Fergus Burke (Saracens) — steady with penalties and the long-range kicking option that kept Saracens within reach.

I don’t think we can read too much into that one, apart from some dodgy decision making and a moment or two of madness from a couple of players, we probably should’ve and easily could’ve won that match. Onto next weekend vs Exeter back at StoneX, hope to see many of you there cheering loud for that one. Well done to all the sarries family who made the trip out to Durban, your efforts and cheers did not go unheard.