Saturday, 14th April 2007 at 3:43 pm

Could Sharks be the real deal?

It was fractious, far from fluid, and punctuated by a refereeing display that confirmed Stuart Disckinson as the most indecipherable referee in rugby. But for the moments of luck, the unhelpful rain, and constant niggle at the breakdown, Saturday goes down as one of the definitive days in the building of Dick Muir’s rugby empire. The 32-25 over the Blues was more than just a crucial upset in the race for the semifinals: it was also a definitive statement of intent from a team that showed something special in North Harbour.

A week earlier, and a runaway performance in Australia showed what Muir’s team can do in dry conditions conducive to the running game - the Sharks were breathtaking, and close to ruthless in their execution. The Blues was a totally different game, in totally different conditions, and tactics changed accordingly; usually we lament South African teams kicking games to death (usually suicide), but this was the best tactical kicking display we’ve seen from one of our sides in years.

Add in a quite outstanding defence - led by a new-look Bob Skinstad, razzle-dazzle of youth replaced a blindside performance of remarkable work ethic - and the outrageous boot of Francois Steyn, and the Sharks, late wobble notwithstanding, have every reason to awaken on Sunday with a collectively tender constitution. Steyn made the occasional error, but at 19 looks as exciting as anyone to have hit the game since Dan Carter, and while Percy Montgomery’s boot had a touch of rust, there was a steadying hand at the back that did more for the team’s composure than was evident from the stands.

The Crusaders remain top, after a clinical second half performance against the Chiefs, and the Blues cling onto second place, a late bonus point something that could haunt the Sharks when home semifinals are decided upon. And the Sharks have another tester next week away to the Chiefs, who destroyed the Force in a 100-point basketball match. But a win in Auckland is huge, particularly for a South African team, and two very different wins over two weekends of Super 14 will have told the Sharks that this is a competition they have a serious shot at. Crusaders remain favourites, but Dick Muir has blended a hell of a rugby team out of Durban.