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Sharks tinker with front row again for Brumbies

Article Published: Thursday 11 March 2010

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The Sharks have named an unchange backline for their match against the Brumbies in round 5 with the Durban franchise still searching for their first victory.

Keegan Daniel and Odwa Ndungane have both been passed fit to play after initial concerns over some bumps and bruises but Daniel is rotated in favour of Jacques Botes.

The only other changes occur in the front row with captain John Smit moving to tighthead and Bismarck du Plessis returning at hooker, with Tendai Mtawarira coming back into the starting lineup at loosehead.

Craig Burden is named on the bench and gets his first opportunity on tour after being named as replacement hooker while Alistair Hargreaves who flew to Australia this week, has been named in the number 18 jersey.

Coach John Plumtree said on the Sharks site that the Brumbies will be tough opposition, "Obviously they are a side that can seriously hurt you if they get front foot ball for their game-breakers. "

"The thing with the new law interpretations is that you have to be clever with how you compete at the breakdowns.

"The ball can come out so quickly now that you don't want to have committed too many players to the ruck when they could be better used waiting in defence." he added.

Saturday's match is The Sharks' final game in Australia before heading back to New Zealand.

Sharks

15. Stefan Terblanche , 14. Odwa Ndungane , 13. Adrian Jacobs , 12. Riaan Swanepoel , 11. JP Pietersen , 10. Andy Goode , 9. Ruan Pienaar , 8. Ryan Kankowski , 7. Willem Alberts , 6. Jacques Botes , 5. Johann Muller , 4. Steven Sykes , 3. John Smit (Capt) , 2. Bismarck du Plessis , 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: , 16. Craig Burden , 17. Jannie du Plessis , 18. Alistair Hargreaves , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Keegan Daniel , 21. Rory Kockott , 22. Waylon Murray