The Sharks hit the ground running this week. Having enjoyed a week’s rest after the Province match and then into training last Monday before truly getting some hard work under their belts ahead of the Absa Currie Cup match against Boland this Friday afternoon, the players are fit and raring to go.
Michael Marnewick writes for Sharksrugby.co.za that captain Johann Muller admits that despite the effect the three week break would have on continuity, it was a welcome respite from the weekly punishment meted out to the players’ bodies.
“The break came at a perfect time for us,” he explains. “It’s been quite tough over the past eight weeks, playing week in and week out which is always tough on the body, it’s great to have had a break.
“We had a whole week off and then started training last week again and you could see that the guys are really keen and fired up. They want to do well and train hard again. So the break did come at a great time for us, there were also one or two little injuries that the guys were getting over so the break has been really fantastic in that respect.”
The coaching staff should have just about a full squad to choose from to select a team for the Boland encounter which is an important away match that the Sharks need to win to remain in contention for the play-offs in October.
As mentioned, one thing about the long bye over the period of the home leg of the Vodacom Tri Nations is the break in continuity which in the case of the Sharks, came at a time when they were riding a wave of success and playing some impressive rugby, coming off the back of five pointers against the Griquas and Western Province.
“The break came at a time when we were really playing well,” Muller agrees, “but we did need it and at this stage we just need to maintain confidence and keep playing the kind of rugby we have been playing.
“Rugby is a confidence game. After the win against the Lions – and that’s a good side who beat the Bulls up at Loftus – and great wins against Griquas and Province, the confidence is up, the boys are really keen and looking forward to the rest of the competition.”
He admits that there will be no taking this week’s game or opposition lightly. Boland might be second-last on the log, but there is no doubt that they will be up for this match.
“Absolutely, there is no underestimating them,” says the Sharks Captain. “They are a really good side, especially at home. The Cheetahs only beat them 15-10, the Bulls only scored 25 or 26 points against them down there, the field is heavy and wet and will take us out of our comfort zone, so we are going to have to play really well to beat them down there and to get the points we need so badly.”
He adds that compared to the earlier part of the season, the position the Sharks find themselves currently, third on the log having played some really good rugby, shows a vast improvement. “Yeah, big time! The turnaround in the last few weeks has been fantastic. We got a few players back from injury and the Springboks, and confidence is up, that makes a big difference.
“But we made a decision after the loss to the Cheetahs that things had to change. We changed the way we played as well and that made a lot of difference. There were also individuals putting their hands up and playing some fantastic rugby and that also helps the team.”
Tweet
Let’s just hope the Boks leave our players alone.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : hmmm….
not liking the noises I’m hearing, though… Talk of losing Odwa
The Sharks actually have quite a good draw from hereon in.
Play Boland, Valke and Lions away and Bulls, Cheetahs and Griquas at home. Lions away could be the toughest, but at least we play the rest of the really tough ones at home. We could potentially pick up 18-25 points, especially when we get our Boks back after this weekend!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
On sencond thoughts, this is Boland, so we can include a few top notch swimmers if we lose players to the Boks and things should be fine.
@robdylan (Comment 3) :
He is not irreplacable though. We have some decent guys waiting in the “wings”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : yeah baby – Lwazi and Wes are more than good enough to play against Boland
SHARKS forever ! Hope they didn’t pick up any tricks from the Boks. Things were really starting to come together…
@Baldrick (Comment 4) :
Should we not hit them with the big guns to get the points difference to a higher level? 😉
Looking at the 5 day weather forecast Plum would be well advised to find a cold, damp and muddy environment to practice on in the run up to this game.
@robdylan (Comment 3) :
Seems you were right. From keo:
Bryan Habana is on the road to recovery but JP Pietersen’s hamstring tear has ruled him out of the Ellis Park Test.
The news was confirmed by Bok conditioning coach Niels Liebel on Monday and Sharks winger Odwa Ndungane has been called up as cover. Liebel said Habana is responding well to treatment and could be available this week after missing last Saturday’s game in Durban.
Victor Matfield (groin), Butch James (knee), Juan Smith (shoulder) and Bismarck du Plessis (shoulder) are all nursing niggles, but Liebel expects these players to be fit for the Boks’ final Tri-Nations Test.
Lock Danie Rossouw is also back in the mix after missing the Kings Park Test with a back injury.
Bok communications manager Rayaan Adriaanse said the result of CJ van der Linde’s judicial hearing with the Sanzar will be through later on Monday afternoon. The Bok camp aren’t too optimisitic given Van der Linde was cited for a headbutt, and coach Peter de Villiers said Jannie du Plessis will come into the reckoning if Van der Linde is banned
coach Peter de Villiers said Jannie du Plessis will come into the reckoning if Van der Linde is banned
So Jannie Dup is also going to Jhb 🙁
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 8) : Ice for National Coach! Excellent idea Ice! The more points the better, and the week after that our boks(including Jon) come back!
@Salmonoid (Comment 9) :
As long as he doesn’t squeal the way Naka Drotske did after their win then i will be happy with a 1 point victory.
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 12) :
Thanks Dudette…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) : Oh no! 😈 But then we have Pat Cilliers? or am I getting my loosehead and tighthead all confused again? 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) :
Geez – I just got happy for nothing – thought he’s moving to the lions!! 😐
😈
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 16) :
Flippen hell 😯 😯 😯 😯
i know most of us don’t read the whole article or ALL the comments but to only read HALF the comment……….. 😯 😯
And i kept it short on purpose 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : He he he, that’d be Ice at her best!!! 😆
Keep it to one word, maayyybbbbeeeee 2, it is Monday! 😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) :
@Silver Fox (Comment 18) :
You cannot say i dont provide entertainment value to the site…
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 20) : Yeah, you’re right, that’s why they are paying you so well. You’re priceless.
@Silver Fox (Comment 21) :
Pay?? Who said anything about Pay?? This is my charity contribution!! 😉
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 22) : Thanks a lot for the entertainment………… Sykes is a loser. 😆
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 22) : I did. Meaning they cannot pay you, you are without a price. 🙄
@blackshark (Comment 23) :
Say it to his face! 😈
@Silver Fox (Comment 24) :
Ag Silvy, man – stop pointing out all my mistakes…some people on here are way too clever – all your efforts in redirecting the attention away from your boo-boo’s to mine, will still get noticed…AND – I have a pretty darn cool excuse…whats yours?? 😈 😈
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 25) : Ok…guess you’re reading the entire post now…
Well according to IOL Plum is expecting to lose Odwa, Jannie and Ruan, and some players are still nursing injuries, especially Muller. Suddenly I am nervous 😐
Oh NO and Bissie has damaged his knee cartiladge 😈 Oh well just as well the Sharks have signed on Jon 😎