Blues promised a tough time in the Tank

If the Blues expect another free ride on South African soil then they are going to be in for a rude surprise when they enter the Shark Tank this Saturday.

The Auckland-based franchise have run amok over their SA counterparts in the Super 14 thus far, as they have posted a brace of half centuries against the Lions and Cheetahs in consecutive weekends.

However, they haven't run into the Sharks who have promised them a royal welcome in Durban.

"They're coming into our backyard and we're certainly going to the take the game to them," said Brad Barritt.

The Sharks hold the blueprint to beating the Blues.

It's a simple strategy which revolves around flat defensive lines and hitting them hard in the tight exchanges, effectively what the Sharks did last year they beat the Aucklanders 32-25 at North Harbour Stadium.

"You have to soak up the pressure the Blues exert and that's why the right defensive lines are important," explained Barritt.

"Then get in their faces and meet them with controlled aggression, that's what it takes. The New Zealand teams don't like it when you get physical."

Contenders

The Sharks certainly showed themselves to be worthy contenders for this year's title when they secured a sweet 29-15 win over the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday night.

The Sharks really turned the heat on the reigning champions during the final 12 minutes when Bulls centre JP Nel had been yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Frans Steyn.

With Nel in the cooler for 10 minutes, the visitors scored three ravishing tries to wrap up the game and add an extra bonus point for scoring four tries.

"Especially during the earlier rounds it's important to accumulate as many bonus points as possible. And to get one at a venue like Loftus is priceless," said the Sharks centre.

The Sharks are confident, as are the Blues after scoring maximum points in every outing this year.

The Blues top the Super 14 log with this weekend their last on tour.

"The Blues are the form team at the moment, so we are under no illusions what it's going to take to beat them," Barritt said.

"They have a good loose trio and use (Jerome) Kaino as one of the strike runners. In Nick Evans the Blues have a good decision maker at flyhalf and then there's Joe Rokocoko, who's always a threat out wide."

While the Sharks will fancy themselves to dominate the Blues up front the retirement of veteran lock Johan Ackermann will mean the coastal side will lose some experience in the engine room.

"Ackers" left Loftus on a cloud of glory, even though the "dark angel" copped a yellow card in the second minute of the derby in Pretoria.

With Ackermann now officially out to pasture, at 38 years of age, the the door has opened for either Springbok Albert van den Berg or Steven Sykes to start regularly in the run-on XV.

However, the Sharks also have the option of slotting AJ Venter in the second row with Jean Deysel coming in on the blindside flank, until Tongan import, Epi Taione, joins the franchise.

This week the Sharks are expected to be bolstered by the return of scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar (collarbone) and hooker Bismarck du Plessis (ribs).

- Kick-off: 7pm; TV: SS1/M-Net