Ungerer starts in Sharks overhaul
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The Sharks have made a number of changes for the Hurricanes match, with a new front row, loose forward trio, half back pairing and centre pairing, as well as a reshuffle in the back three.
Director of Rugby Gary Gold has been able to select his Springbok front row for the first time in six weeks to bolster the pack up front, while also returning Francois Steyn and Renaldo Bothma back to the starting line-up.
The big, physical are players expected to play a big role on the weekend against the log-leaders.
Young Stefan Ungerer is given a shot in the No.9 jersey with Lionel Cronje lining up outside him at No.10.
There is a positional switch as Lwazi Mvovo swaps with Odwa Ndungane to pick up the No.15 jersey in the back three.
“The Hurricanes are a team on an absolute high at the moment, their performance against the Crusaders was outstanding and this is probably going to be a big challenge for our players at this moment in time, with our backs against the wall,” explains Gold.
“We’re playing the best team in the competition, it’s going to be an unbelievable challenge, but one that’s going to make us grow as a group.”
“From our point of view, we need to concentrate on the things we can do well, we know we have the ability to do well, even though we haven’t done it very often.
"But we’re a proud bunch of guys and this is an opportunity against the odds to step up to the plate.”
Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Marco Wentzel (Captain), 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Kyle Cooper, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Waylon Murray.
Date: Saturday, 9 May
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SAST, 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Michael Lash
TMO: Aaron Paterson
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