No excuses for Sharks defeat
Team loses Currie Cup momentum at critical time
THE Sharks have lost momentum at a critical time, while the Currie Cup’s other three remaining teams all go into this weekend’s semifinals with confidence buoyed by good wins.
Western Province are still beaming after fighting back from 13-3 down against the Sharks to win 31-20‚ which booked a home semifinal against the Golden Lions.
The Blue Bulls have also sneaked into the last four after beating the Pumas 52-32 on Friday‚ which also gives them an extra day of rest before facing the Sharks in Durban.
The Sharks won 10 matches in a row before losing to WP‚ and while it was a dead rubber for them with a home semi already sewn up‚ coach Robert du Preez was unimpressed with how they let a healthy half-time lead slip.
“Although we were up on the scoreboard‚ we were just going through the motions‚” a disappointed Du Preez said after the WP match.
“That obviously resulted in going into the second half thinking we could still go through the motions and then they started playing proper rugby, putting us under a lot of pressure.
“We have no excuses. You can’t take any game for granted and just think that you can pitch up and go through the motions. That’s the bottom line.
“Quality sides‚ when they’re 13-3 up at half time‚ put other teams away.”
WP coach John Dobson praised his team’s fighting spirit but wasn’t getting too carried away and said he knew the Sharks were already looking ahead to the semis.
“I was impressed with the Sharks’ intensity‚” Dobson said of their first half showing.
“It was a dead rubber for them‚ so we were in a lot of trouble with the sheer physicality and momentum they were getting.
“I thought we got a bit bullied early on and we weren’t getting yards in our carries.
“With the way the Sharks were playing so directly‚ we needed to get more direct and that happened in the second half.
“Neither side played with much fluidity on attack‚ it was always going to be a big‚ physical fight and I’m pleased with the way we stayed in it.
“We were just more desperate than them because we had to get a home semi.
“I was really pleased with the way we survived the onslaught from what I think is the best team in the competition.”