Jimmy Gopperth, (centre) will be feeling the pressure of mustering the Blues' game in the centre of the park against the Sharks' more experienced midfield pack. Photo / Dean Purcell
Jimmy Gopperth, (centre) will be feeling the pressure of mustering the Blues' game in the centre of the park against the Sharks' more experienced midfield pack. Photo / Dean Purcell
Rain, softer grounds, cooler temperatures - must be time for rugby.
It is time for rugby in Auckland tonight; and a pre-dinner kickoff, too, when the unbeaten Sharks challenge the Blues at their Eden Park headquarters.
The Sharks have had a fortnight to acclimatise to New Zealand conditions after theirlonghaul flight from South Africa while the Blues are still having interrupted sleep patterns after their return this week from the Republic.
Who will cope best? Toss the coin like the Herald tipster.
The Sharks have a stream of quality throughout their side and the luxury of being able to leave Springbok captain John Smit on the bench while the Blues have collected a great points haul from their opening three matches abroad.
The Blues front five will be asked to shoulder much of the demands for productivity in this match with Kurtis Haiu the only member of that quintet not to have won the black jersey.
There is backup from Jerome Kaino on the blindside and other national reps like Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko and Anthony Tuitavake out the back.
But it is in the middle of the park that there must be concerns, the 8, 9, 10, 12 axis for the Blues where they must get hold of the game to control the territory and flow of the match.
When you match Chris Lowrey, Taniela Moa, Jimmy Gopperth and Jamie Helleur against Ryan Kankowski, Rory Kockett, Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn, the reputations and output would seem to favour the visitors.
This is the hub of their side, where they find the rhythm of their attack, kick goals and organise the defences which were so solid last week against the Chiefs. They know how to deal with wet conditions which can hit them on their home track and they will recall how well they dealt with that and the Blues here a couple of years ago.
They have a workmanlike tight five and a steady back three where consistent performances from the ageing but ever-lively Stefan Terblanche make you wonder how he has been unable to crack the Boks squad since his return from rugby in Europe.
The Blues will want him to show the foibles tonight which the Springbok panel have clearly identified at their selection meetings. Getting that result will mean quality ball from the forwards and precision kicking games from either Moa or Gopperth.
This is a huge game for Gopperth. Promised equal action with the now injured Tasesa Lavea in the first bracket of matches, Gopperth flew home early from Africa to prepare and recover better for this contest. If his work is modest because of his flaws rather than the lack of flow generated by his forwards, then Hobbs may be whistled up again.
However if Gopperth plays with the accurate elan he has shown, if he can claim the middle of the park for his side then the Blues will have a decent show unless they bow to fatigue.
