Sharks book semi-final spot
The Sharks claimed the last semi-final place in this year's Super 14 thanks to a 47-25 victory over the Chiefs in Durban late on Saturday.
Last Updated: 18/05/08 1:35pm
The Sharks claimed the last semi-final place in this year's Super 14 thanks to a 47-25 victory over the Chiefs in Durban late on Saturday.
Requiring a bonus point win to edge out the Stormers, the Sharks were always in command in front of a vociferous crowd, who enjoyed champagne rugby as their team sailed towards a clash with the Waratahs.
At 21-18 just after half-time the Chiefs scented a turn-up but Steve Sykes clinched the bonus point try in the 50th minute for the Sharks, who crossed three more times in 20 minutes to seal the victory.
In contrast to the Stormers earlier in the day the Sharks made full use of their scoring opportunities against a side determined to spoil the party.
After a cagey start the hosts finally opened the scoring in the 19th minute when stand-off Ruan Pienaar dived over after piercing the Chiefs defence.
Centre Adrian Jacobs followed suit shortly after with Rory Kockott adding the extras, but Faifili Levave responded for the visitors after a swiftly taken penalty caught Sharks on the hop.
But hooker Bismarck du Plessis ensured the Durbanites went into the break in the ascendency after the Waikato defence failed to deal with an up-and-under from Stefan Terblanche.
But thoughts of a one-sided second period were banished when the Chiefs came out blazing, Mils Muliaina going over in the corner before Stephen Donald added a penalty to the conversion.
But that was as good as it got for the Chiefs, as Sykes went over before Ryan Kankowski scored twice and winger Odwa Ndungane added a seventh in an orgy of running rugby.
Kockott failed with a couple of attempts to reach the half-century and it was left to replacement Viliame Waqaseduadua to complete the scoring for Chiefs by nipping through under the posts.
