Jake: Job not done yet
The Sharks put in another defiant defensive performance to cement their place at the top of the Super Rugby standings.
Playing a quarter of the match with 14 men, the Sharks ground out a 29-23 win over the Blues in Albany on Friday.
The Sharks will now return to South Africa having proven they're genuine contenders for the title.
Tries from skipper Bismark Du Plessis and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and 16 points from the boot of Francois Steyn kept the visitors ahead on the scoreboard, but it was their resolute defence that won them a 10th straight victory over the Blues.
The Blues, who had been unbeaten at home this season, enjoyed the majority of possession and matched the Sharks' try count with scores from flank Luke Braid and wing Tevita Li, but were unable to break through in a tense last 10 minutes.
Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White said the result – which gave them a record-equalling three wins from four starts on their Australasian tour – is a big confidence boost.
However, he warned they still need to cap it off in the remaining rounds.
"It's still the same – there's a lot of rugby still to be played," White said.
"I mean, we're mindful of the fact there's a lot of good teams out there.
"We're under no illusions that it's difficult, but at the same time it's a massive boost to know that if you keep winning you can control your own destiny and I suppose that's what we're all aiming for."
Reduced to 14 men twice in the second half, the Sharks showed courage to weather several attacking bursts from the Blues, and still hold a five point lead at the top of the competition.
White said they showed plenty of courage to be down players and still win.
"You know, those are the sorts of things I suppose as a coach that you obviously get really proud.
"And they'll obviously take a lot of confidence from that sort of performance.
"It's not ideal, you don't want to be playing with 14 men, but I've got to say it's a massive boost to get out of that one with 14 men."
Blues coach John Kirwan conceded his side's hopes of making play-offs are virtually over.
The defeat, their seventh of the season, leaves them firmly rooted to the bottom of the New Zealand conference and 10th overall with games against the Hurricanes, Force, Crusaders and Chiefs to come.
"We needed to take a bit of pressure off," Kirwan said.
"We are really under the pump.
"We've sort of been keeping our head above water all year and haven't really had a break from that.
"But now it's pretty desperate really.
"We were hanging on to multiple phases and thought we'd done enough to win it at times," lamented Kirwan.
"But a couple of dumb penalties and a soft try and the game's gone."
