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S18 PREVIEW: ROUND 10, PART ONE

Can the Sharks become only the second team to lower the table-topping Chiefs' colours this season?

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Not since the Lions upset them (36-32) in Hamilton on March 5 has anybody been able to upstage the Chiefs.

The Sharks, however, will hope off-field distractions will aid their cause.

The Chiefs have been confronted with accusations of scrum skullduggery and a growing injury list.

Coach Dave Rennie strongly denied the injury to Siate Tokolahi, which caused uncontested scrums in the one-point win over the Hurricanes last week, was a feigned in order to give them the option of going to uncontested scrums – at a time when they came under pressure in the set [pieces.

The Chiefs were also dealt another injury blow when scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow was ruled out for about two months with a fractured hand.

Adding to Rennie's injury issues, wing James Lowe and midfielder Charlie Ngatai are again unavailable due to shoulder injuries. Also not considered for selection as a result of injuries are Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Augustine Pulu, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, Tevita Koloamatangi, Michael Allardice, Tom Sanders, Maama Vaipulu, Atu Moli and Glen Fisiiahi.

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In the other Friday match the Western Force will be hoping to end a six-match losing streak against a Bulls team that is unbeaten since their opening week loss to the Stormers.

We look at the Friday, April 29, matches below!

S18 PREVIEW: ROUND 10, PART ONEThis game is a contest between the tournament's best attack and one of the best defences in the competition.

The Chiefs have accrued 305 points and 43 tries in eight matches – well clear of the second best, the Crusaders, who have 260    points and 36 tries in the same number of games.

The Sharks have been the second most miserly team – conceding just 132 points and 13 tries in their eight games, bettered only by the Stormers (126 and 13).

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Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo said that while their defence gives them confidence, the game is not won defending and they are working hard at developing their attacking game as well.

"Obviously we pride ourselves on our defence and have worked very hard on getting it to the state it is," he said in an interview on the Sharks website.

"Our defence gives us a lot of confidence, but, in saying that, we are also working very hard on our attack.

"The Chiefs are one of the best attacking sides and we know it's going to be a titanic battle, but one we're up for."

Coming away with a positive result would be a fitting end to their tour, and something they believe would boost morale greatly for the future.

"It would be a huge boost for us. We lost a few games that we were really unhappy about, so winning on Friday would be great for the team. That means working hard all week, and working hard for each other."

The Sharks will be hoping to cause another big upset, as they did against the Highlanders last week, which will certainly put them firmly back in the play-off race.

"The win against the Highlanders was a great confidence boost for the players," Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold said.

"I'm proud of the fight and immense character they showed to grind out the win.

 

"We are playing the best team in New Zealand and it's going to be a massive game for us.

"Throughout this season they've shown their brilliance on attack and if you make a mistake, they will pounce on it and hurt you.

"We have a huge amount of respect for them and are under no illusions about the enormity of the challenge.

 

"We have an opportunity to create history in New Zealand and we need to be clinical and take our chances.

"Discipline is going to be key and we need to stay grounded.

"We believe we have the balance of the team right with the energy and exuberance of youth in players such as Daniel [du Preez], Jean-Luc  [du Preez], Garth [April] and Hyron [Andrews], as well as the experience of seasoned campaigners like Keegan [Daniel], Michael [Claassens], Odwa [Ndungane], Jean [Deysel] and JP [Pietersen]."

Recent results:

2015: Sharks won 12-11, Durban

2013: Chiefs won 37-29, Hamilton

2012: Chiefs won 37-6, Hamilton (Final)

2012: Chiefs won 18-12, Durban

2011: Chiefs won 15-9, Hamilton

2010: Chiefs won 19-18, Durban

S18 PREVIEW: ROUND 10, PART ONE

Prediction: The Chiefs have won five of their last six matches against the Sharks, though a one-point Sharks win in their last encounter snapped a five-game losing streak in the fixture for the South African team. Only once in the last seven fixtures between these clubs has the final points margin been more than eight (37-6 Chiefs win in 2012 Super Rugby Final). The Chiefs have won their last three home matches against the Sharks and haven't lost this exact fixture since Round 3, 2009. The Chiefs' only loss from eight matches so far this season came when they last hosted a South African team (Lions, Rd 2). Six of the Sharks' last seven matches have been decided by no more than an unconverted try with a one-point win in their last game snapping a three-game losing streak. The Sharks do have a real chance of causing an upset, but the smart money will be on a Chiefs win – by 10 to 15 points.

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sam McNicol, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-captain), 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham.

Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Kane Hames, 19 James Tucker, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Shaun Stevenson.

Sharks: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel (captain), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Dale Chadwick.

Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jean Deysel, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Joe Pietersen, 23 Odwa Ndungane.

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

S18 PREVIEW: ROUND 10, PART ONE

The Western Force have been dismal this season, their only win in Round against a Reds team that is also not setting the world alight with their form.

In fact that loss was one of the key reasons why the Reds fired their coach in mid-season.

Force coach Michael Foley has wielded a heavy axe in the hope of turning the team's fortunes around.

"As a team, our opportunity to respond to a disappointing performance comes on Friday," Foley said.

"Every person in the team cares, but the way to best show that is on the field.

"While we've encountered some challenges this season it's important we look forward to attacking and enjoying every contest.

"A number of the men who've performed well over an extended period in training have been given the opportunity to either start, or come off the bench this week."

The Bulls are coming off a bye and have undertaken the shortest travel across the Indian Ocean, which means they should be in good shape.

"We are, in a way, still under the radar and that is a good thing I believe," Bulls coach Nollis Marais said.

"We are slowly starting to put a proper match together and as a unit is improving, no doubt.

"A coach cannot ask for more than that. We had soft moments and patches in a couple of matches, but overall, we are starting to find rhythm and some fluency in our game," Marais added.

Bulls captain Adriaan Strauss is only too aware of the fact that the Force have proved a very difficult opponent for the Bulls in Perth.

"Yes, they do have a good record against us here, but that is not something that we see as an important issue," Strauss said.

"A lot of our guys are first time tourists with the team and just want to go out and enjoy playing for the Vodacom Bulls.

"We have ambitions in how we want to approach the game and execute our game plan, but know very well that the Force will not make it easy for us.

"We will have to work very hard for a win, but I can tell you now, this team is prepared to do that."

Recent results:

2015: Bulls won 25-24, Pretoria

2014: Force won 15-9, Perth

2013: Bulls 36-26, Pretoria

2011: Force won 26-21, Perth

2010: Bulls won 28-15, Perth

2009: Bulls 32-29, Pretoria

S18 PREVIEW: ROUND 10, PART ONE

Prediction: The Bulls have won four of their last six matches against the Force and have never lost to the Western Australian team by more than six points. In none of their last eight matches at home against South African opposition have Force conceded more than 10 points in the opening half of a game. The Bulls have won their last four matches in a row, a fifth straight win would be their longest streak since a run of nine wins saw them reach the 2013 post-season. Western Force have the most accurate goal kicking of any team in the competition at 94 percent, more than 20 percent more accurate than the Bulls (73 percent). The Bulls have conceded only seven clean breaks per game so far this season, the fewest of any team while the Force have conceded more than double (14.8), the most of any team. No doubt the Force have a chance, but the Bulls will be strong favourites and should win by about 20 points.

Teams:

Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Marcel Brache, 13 Ammon Matuauto, 12 Solomoni Rasolea, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Ian Prior, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Sitiveni Mafi, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Harry Scoble, 1 Francois van Wyk.

Replacements: 16 Chris Heiberg, 17 Anaru Rangi, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Ryan Louwrens, 22 Kyle Godwin, 23 Semisi Masirewa.

Bulls: 15 Sarel Marais, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Lappies Labuschagne, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rudolph Snyman, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.

Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Dries Swanepoel.

Referee: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Rohan Hoffman (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)

TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)

Compiled by Jan de Koning

@King365ed

@rugby365com

* Statistical information provided by Opta Sports

S18 PREVIEW: ROUND 10, PART ONE

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