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Coetzee leads Sharks to French double

The Durban-based franchise managed to remain calm in the face of some unsavoury behaviour by French giants Stade Toulousain to breach fortress Ernest Wallon and record a deserved 31-17 win.

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The victory followed the Sharks' equally impressive 29-21 win over European champions Toulon last week.

The game, which produced some sublime moments of play from the visitors and the traditional forward-based power play from the French outfit, descended into spitefulness in the final quarter as it became clear Toulouse were going to be on the receiving end of a loss on their home ground.

Joe Tekori lost his cool as he showed the ugly side of French rugby, sparking a number of scraps – one of which saw disgraceful behaviour by French international Imanol Harinordoquy, who ran onto the field from the sideline to get involved in a melee.

Despite the French thuggery, Coetzee showed his class on the very day that he confirmed he would be leaving the Durban-based franchise at the end of the season to join Irish province Ulster.

In fact he produced all the evidence of why an ambitious outfit like Ulster would want him.

The Sharks caused Toulouse all kinds of problems with the aggressive and physical nature of their rush defence – not allowing the home team any time and space in the opening half.

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Coetzee was at the forefront of that defensive display.

And the visitors also had an edge at the set pieces, causing the already under pressure Toulouse backs even more headaches – not to mention the lopsided penalty count against  French team with no respect for the laws.Coetzee leads Sharks to French double

With four players in the French starting XV for their Six Nations encounter with Ireland on Saturday, Toulouse seemed to lack the know-how and leadership to deal with the Sharks' high-paced game.

The introduction of numerous replacements after the break, including All Black Neemia Tialata, saw the French outfit gain some ascendancy in the scrums – which gave them confidence and spilled over into other aspects of their game.

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Their powerful forward rushes, the sort pick-and-go game, now gained some real momentum. However, they still struggled to breach the solid Sharks defensive wall.

As a result they resorted to some aimless kicking, hoping for a favourable outcome rather than planning for one.

The Sharks got off to a flying start, just as they did against Toulon last week, with Sibusiso Sithole benefitting from some sublime handling – a move that started with a turnover inside their 22. Garth April missed his first kick on his Sharks debut – 5-0 after three minutes.

When Springbok prop Gurthrö Steenkamp was penalised for illegal scrumming in the eighth minute, April had another shot at goal – again pushing it wide.

The Sharks continued their expansive approach, often at their own expense.

With Toulouse being heavily penalised at the breakdown, it wasn't long before April had another shot at goal – finally landing one to make it 8-0 after 17 minutes.

Toulouse finally broke the Sharks' resistance – a turnover by Steenkamp for the French tem, a hack ahead, a powerful ruck and quick hands allowed wing Alexis Palisson to stroll over. David Mele added the extras – 7-8.

The Sharks hit straight back – Garth April at the end of a great try, started by some great play in the air by Willie le Roux.  April added the conversion, 15-7.

Mele again narrowed the gap to 0-15 with a penalty just after the half-hour mark.

However, the penalty count continued to mount against the home team and on the stroke of half-time April had a shot from just over 40 metres out – stretching the lead to 18.10.

Toulouse looked for an early score in the second half, but a turnover in the Sharks half and some sloppy play – which allowed the Sharks to recover from a poor kick – allowed centre Johan Deysel to go over for the Sharks' third try, with April's conversion making it 25-10.

The flow of penalties now started going in the other direction, with Corey Flynn finishing off a sustained period of pressure by barging over from close range. Replacement Thomas Bouyxou added the extras to narrow the gap to 17-25, with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Toulouse continued to batter away at the harks line, but with Marcell Coetzee and the Jean-Luc du Preez at the forefront of their defensive effort, the Sharks managed to repel those raids.

With five minutes left on the clock April made it an 11-point lead (28-17) and then with just over two minutes remaining made it 31-17.

That is how it stayed to the end, much to the dislike of the locals.

The scorers:

For Toulouse:

Tries: Palisson, Flynn

Cons: Mele, Bouyxou

Pen: Mele

For the Sharks:

Tries: Sithole, April, Deysel

Cons: April 2

Pens: April 4

Teams:

Toulouse: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Timoci Matanavou, 13 Arthur Bonneval, 12 Jarrod Poï, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 David Mélé, 8 Gregory Lamboley, 7 Gillian Galan, 6 François Cros, 5 Edwin Maka, 4 Romain Millo, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Replacements – from: Vasil Kakovin, Christopher Tolofua, Julien Marchand, Dorian Aldegheri, Neemia Tialata, Joe Tekori,  Alexandre Manukula, Imanol Harinordoquy, Edgar Tuinukuafe, Franck Tebaldini, Thomas Bouyxou, Christopher Tolofua, Simon Bienvenu, Joseva Rauga, Semi Kunatani, Bonneval Billard.

Sharks 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Heimar Williams, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Garth April, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Christiaan de Bruin, 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Dave McDuling, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Juan Schoeman.

Replacements – from: Kyle Cooper, Gerhard Engelbrecht, Daniel du Preez , Jean-Luc du Preez, Cobus Reinach, Stefan Ungerer, Andre Esterhuizen, Paul Jordaan, Odwa Ndungane, Joe Pietersen.

Referee: Mathieu Raynall (France)

@rugby365com

Coetzee leads Sharks to French double

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