Sharks charge forward to Super Rugby mode
SHARKS assistant coach Grant Bashford reckons it will resemble a happy family reunion when the entire squad return to training after this weekend’s bye and continue preparations for next Friday’s Super Rugby match against the Bulls in Durban.
“The Boks (that were involved in the Test series against England) have come back and undergone their medical assessments,” Bashford said. “They will now be able to have a rest until next week, and they need that break. For the remainder of the squad, they’ll have three hard days of training before going off.”
Particularly for the likes of the Du Plessis brothers, “Beast” Mtawarira, Marcell Coetzee and JP Pietersen, who started all three Tests, the extra week off will provide an opportunity to briefly take their minds off rugby and enjoy some much-needed rest.
It will also allow a bit more time for Pat Lambie (ankle) and Willem Alberts (knee) to recover from the injuries that kept them out of the final Test, with both expected to be fit to face the Bulls, although a final decision will only be taken next week.
Importantly, the players that weren’t on national duty over the last few weeks have kept busy and in shape with their own conditioning and gym programmes, while many enjoyed a good workout against John Smit’s World XV at the weekend.
Bashford said it would be a fresh start for the squad as they got back into Super Rugby mode. “I know when the squad returns to training next Monday it will be like the reuniting of the family. Nothing can be done about that game against the Lions (which the Sharks lost 38-28), it was a big disappointment, but we will regroup and focus on what we can control. “We are really in uncharted territory now after having this break during the competition,” Bashford added. “So it will be interesting to see how a side like the Bulls fare after getting a lot of Boks back who will now go straight into Super Rugby again.
The Sharks are lying in seventh place on the overall standings, and will closely watch this weekend’s matches as they collect a valuable automatic four log points while putting their feet up.
“If you look at the log, there are really nine teams vying for those six qualifying positions and we are one of them,” Bashford said. “Each game is going to be vital and there are some big derby games coming up, so it’s going to be a real fight for play-off positions that will probably go right down to the wire. For us, it’s just about getting our house in order and doing whatever we can to ensure we have the best possible chance of reaching the knockout stage.”