Pienaar sparks Sharks to victory over Blues

Doug Howlett of the Blues is tackled by Tony Brown. Touchline / Getty Images

Sharks 32 Blues 15 

DURBAN, South Africa - Halfback Ruan Pienaar inspired the Sharks to a comfortable 32-15 win over the Blues overnight. 

The rangy Pienaar scored one of the Durban-based Sharks' five tries and had a hand in several others until he was replaced in the second half. 

The win keeps alive Sharks' hopes of making the semi-finals while the Aucklanders have probably missed out this year. But Sharks coach Dick Muir refused to look beyond the next game. 

"We're not talking about semis, we're just focused on playing the Bulls next week," Muir told a news conference. 

Hooker and captain John Smit said the Sharks operated to a simple gameplan. 

"It's really exciting what's happening in this team," he told reporters. "We're going places because the guys are doing the basics so well. That means we're able to create an attacking platform to bring the backs into the game." 

For Keven Mealamu, Blues' hooker and captain, the visitors lost the match up front. 

"The Sharks pack just outplayed us, and once they got the score ticking they were difficult to stop," he said. 

"It was difficult to stop the Sharks' rolling maul, especially with big boys like Jon Smit and AJ Venter in their ranks." 

The Blues burst upfield straight from the kick-off with the ball skipping through their backline, and right wing Doug Howlett crashed over for the try. 

The Sharks kept their composure and replied with a try by right wing Odwa Ndungane in the 14th minute. 

Ten minutes later Pienaar gained 30 metres with a touchfinder. The Sharks won the lineout and Pienaar smuggled himself through the defence to score. 

Loosehead prop Deon Carstens spun out of a loose scrum and scored just before the break.  

First five-eighths Tony Brown made up for two missed conversions with a drop goal that stretched the home team's halftime lead to 15 points.  

The Blues narrowed the gap to eight points in the 50th minute when centre Anthony Tuitavake scored after the visitors had repeatedly stretched the Sharks defence. 

First five-eighths Luke McAllister slotted the conversion and his penalty in the 55th minute cut the Sharks lead to five points. 

But replacement lock Albert van den Berg was driven over the line for his team's fourth try and fullback Percy Montgomery converted to put the Sharks 27-15 ahead.  

Flanker Jacques Botes then intercepted a wayward Blues pass to score with the final movement of the match.

Sharks 32 Tries: Odwa Ndungane (14), Ruan Pienaar (23), Deon Carstens (35), Albert Van Den Berg (59), Jacques Botes (80); Conversions: Tony Brown (24), Percy Montgomery (60); Drop Goal: Tony Brown (38)
Blues 15 Tries: Doug Howlett (1), Anthony Tuitavake (50); Conversion: Luke McAlister (51); Penalty Goal: Luke McAlister (55)
Half Time: 20-5

Standings after round 11:
CRUSADERS Played 10 Points 42
Waratahs 10 38
HURRICANES 10 34
Brumbies 10 32
Sharks 10 27
CHIEFS 10 27
Bulls 9 23
HIGHLANDERS 10 22
BLUES 10 22
Cheetahs 10 20
Stormers 10 18
Reds 10 17
Cats 9 6
Western Force 10 4

- REUTERS