Coach reads the riot act to Sharks
DU PREEZ: WE HAVE TO REGAIN THAT EDGE THIS WEEKEND
In-form Bulls out to deny them a place in Currie Cup final.
Despite being besieged with requests from their coach Robert du Preez to make sure they were up for the “dead-rubber” game against Western Province at the weekend, the Sharks didn’t pitch up on the day, were well-beaten and now they know that anything less than their best will see them knocked out of a Currie Cup they have dominated when they host the Blue Bulls in Durban on Saturday in their semifinal.
If they don’t know, then Du Preez will certainly be banging home the message this week.
“In the first half, although they were up on the scoreboard, we had just gone through the motions and unfortunately, because of that, the guys thought they could still do that in the second half, Western Province started playing proper rugby and they put us away.
“There are no excuses, you can’t take any game for granted, you can’t just think you’re going to pitch up and win. It probably isn’t fatal, but quality sides, when they’re 13-3 up at half-time, they put the other team away. You need to take your chances. We’ve put in a lot of hard work and we have to regain that edge this weekend,” Du Preez said.
The good news for the Sharks is that outside centre Lukhanyo Am and wing Kobus van Wyk both showed they are 100% fine after their injury problems.
Two key forwards are doubtful, however, for Saturday’s semifinal, with powerhouse prop Thomas du Toit (ankle) and hard-working flank Jacques Vermeulen (ribs) both carrying niggles which they will have to prove they are over in training this week.
One player who will definitely miss the semifinal is centre Jeremy Ward, who has broken his collarbone, but Marius Louw has been a thoroughly reliable replacement in midfield.
Jean-Luc du Preez, who looked thoroughly at home for the Springboks this year, will be able to take Vermeulen’s place as he should be over the sore shoulder that saw him make a late withdrawal from last weekend’s game.
The Sharks will host the final if they beat the Blue Bulls in the semis, but they will need to be at 100% because John Mitchell’s team seem to have clicked at just the right time.