When the Sharks beat the Blues at Eden Park last year, I thought they were certain to win the 2009 Super 14 competition. Unfortunately, they wilted away in the final stages of the competition, ending in a sub par 6th on the log. The same happened to them in the 2009 Currie Cup, where they topped the log, then ended up being knocked out by the Cheetahs in the semi’s.

The Sharks will be wanting to live up to their capabilities and the expectations of their fans this season. The Sharks certainly have the players to do it. With Springboks, including the likes of: 

• Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira
• John Smit
• Bismark Du Plessis 
• Jannie Du Plessis
• Johan Muller
• Jean Deysel
• Ryan Kankowski
• Adrian Jocobs
• JP Pietersen
• Ruan Pienaar

Just to name a few, a well as other superstar names like Jacques Botes, Rory Kockott, Kegan Daniel etc. The Sharks certainly have the players to take them all the way. The challenge will be to keep things together and for their big name players to play to their full potential. The Sharks have a good balance between experience and youthful exuberance which should add to their chances of performing well this season.

Players to watch:

• The Sharks have 3 try scoring machines in the loose, Keegan Daniel, Jacques Botes and Ryan Kankowski always allow for open, exciting, running rugby.
• Juan Martinez Hernandez will be looking to make his mark on his 1st Super 14 season.
• Ruan Pienaar will want to get his confidence back to a level where he can just concentrate on enjoying his rugby again.
• JP Pietersen is always unpredictable.
• Stephan Terblanche will, as always, b cool, calm and collected at the back.

This is what they will be looking to keep going all season: [AucklandRugby]

Possible concerns:

• John Smit needs some time off from the rugby field to avoid a possible burnout. He has been playing rugby non stop since RWC 2007.
• The Sharks becoming their own worst enemy when the going gets tough.

BSR’s prediction for the Sharks’ best possible finish: definite playoff contenders