We all know The Sharks lost focus and structure against the Griquas. How are we going to remedy our second half woes against a young and maybe Vulnerable Bulls team?
We need to start off with a clear structure. Against the Griquas it seemed like it was play what you see; which clearly could have worked, if our forwards were stronger at the breakdowns during the second half against the Griquas. Against a well balanced Bulls line up, it will be foolish to play that way. We need a to use the very simple structure and game plan which has worked well against the Bulls in the past. Kick when in your 22 and deep as possible and come up in a formed line with one winger chasing up on the receiver. The Bulls back three(current) are not so good when put under pressure. Contesting at the breakdown is key. We need the whole pack to try and disrupt fast ball; in a legal manner that is; EG. counter rucks and forcing players off balance can really slow down quick ball and allow our ragged defence to communicate and get in position. On the defence topic; we need to spread alot faster and make sure of the first time tackles. It was a real problem in the second half of the Griquas game.
On the Attack side we should really try to keep ball in hand as much as possible when in their half. Building the phases is something the Sharks need to move towards, because the pressure it creates on Defences is perfect for our mobile looseforwards and Blitz and powerful wingers. When kicking from our half we need to try and target it towards the touchlines. Straight down the middle seems to be a problem when players from other side retreat slowly and create gaps in the middle of the defence.
Mainly we need to contest the breakdown more aggresively, rather kick the ball out than straight down the middle up and unders, Organize defence faster, Keep ball in hand in their half and build the phases with speed not haste. And most importantly take all points on offer in the early stages, eg. go for the 50 metre kicks…if we don’t get it over they kick it back anyway. We have a good enough side to Win this weekend, we must just stick to the structures and Gameplan. With some big players joining the squad from injury we should be alot better going forward; too many quality players not to. Take them Sharkies!!!!
As always…Sharks Forever!!!
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We really didn’t play that bad against thE Griquas we just went asleep one too many times.
Hopfully with a more clear approach, mistakes will also lessen as a result. Hope we do the job, it is important that we do.
The Bulls I fear are going to murder us in the forwards. Dereck Kuun and Deon Stegmann are going to have a field day with the light Sharks pack. Throw Flip vd Merwe in the mix and we are in deep trouble ….no comment on the backline
The Bulls have a winning mentality and passion for their team even with the Boks not there which has been lacking in the Sharks camp.
@JJR (Comment 2) : ‘With some big players joining the squad from injury we should be alot better going forward; too many quality players not to.’
Who’s back this weekend apart from maybe JPP?
@JJR (Comment 2) : I just don’t have any confidence in the Sharks playing ‘clever’ rugby when Rory is just Rory,Swannie only knows 1 way, and Stef….. 🙄
The Sharks are really lacking an ‘intelligent’ playmaker in the backline. I’m hoping it could be Steve Meyer but if he continous to get [email protected] service from Rory I doubt if we’ll ever know.
@Pokkel (Comment 3) : @Pokkel (Comment 4) : @Pokkel (Comment 5) : @Pokkel (Comment 6) : @Pokkel (Comment 7) :
Go Sharks 😳
And the bulls team isnt that good, had the Pumas not dropped every pass near the goal line the score would have been alot closer
@Pokkel (Comment 3) :
Flip might be flying to NZ soon as a replacement for Bakkies!!
I mean who else is there?? Hargreaves?? Nah, dont think so!! 😕
@wpw (Comment 10) : Let’s hope Flip goes…he a better bet than Hargreaves I think espesially in the 5 jersey.
Sharks will have Skeate this weekend as well, I suspect.
On a more positive note….I got my tickets to Soccer City for the AB’s game…it’s gonna be awesome 😎 😎 …the Boks must just get their act together now.
@Pokkel (Comment 13) : 😎
”How to Beat Young Bulls?”
Animal cruelty is not allowed 🙄
@Pokkel (Comment 13) : I hope it’s going to be warmer than it was last night!!!! Frick, it was FREEZING 👿
How much are they selling for?
@CS (Comment 16) : Mine was R500. Also some for R350. You at final last night? Awesome
Claytie will also be going to the game!!
I won’t be able to make it…..
……but i will send 22 representatives ! 😎
HH, what can you tell me about the haka the ABs performed on Sat? Was it a new one?
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Whatever it was, it obviously worked!
Good point, Balders 😉
Theres an arti with Hugh Reece Edwards. Sounds like he is blaming the players for the loss. Not good so early in the campaign. Already talking about ‘soul searching’ ❓ ❓ ❓
Hugh Reece who? 😉
@robdylan (Comment 24) :
Edwards.
Charl made a big difference coming on, surely we should look at playing him ahead of Rory.. I remember not so long ago when Macleod played almost the entire Currie Cup for the Sharks and he played really well.
Isn’t Odwa back this week as well?
@Big Fish (Comment 25) : what is it good for?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 26) : really? I have no idea… where did you hear that?
Is it going to be a repeat of the super 14 when we have to play catchup rugby.I think that a lot of teams will battle in Kimberley. Oom Stef am afraid is no center. the sharks have tried Hugh Reece Edwards before and it looks like we are going that way again.
@pete69 (Comment 29) : I see no appreciable difference in the way the backs play now that Reece-Edwards is involved. The last time the Sharks backline looked like anything was during the 2008 Currie Cup when Sean Everitt was skills coach.
Maybe we should give Monty a run? Wasn`t it Monty that took care of the bulls for us last year?
@robdylan (Comment 27) :
Absolutely nothing!
War! Huh! What is it good for?
@Big Fish (Comment 32) : glad you spotted that one 🙂