Sharks wary of backlash
EXPLOSIVE: WP RIGHTWING HAS GRIQUAS IN HIS SIGHTS
As flat as the Golden Lions were last weekend in their hammering by Western Province, it would be silly to expect the visitors to King’s Park today to not be breathing fire when they play the Sharks in their Currie Cup clash.
An away win over another title contender could be seen as redemption for a home loss, and, after a heavy, humiliating defeat like they suffered at Ellis Park, the usual response is a backlash, and the Lions will be intent on starting well against the Sharks.
“It’s back to the drawing board for us and we need to play with a lot more energy and intensity. When we get off to a good start, then we tend to have better intensity, but that was not the case against Western Province.
“The only way we know is hard work and we just have to get our boots back on,” Lions lock Marvin Orie said.
While the Lions have such an experienced and quality backline – Ross Cronje, Courtnall Skosan (above), Howard Mnisi, Lionel Mapoe and Andries Coetzee are all Super Rugby stars – so much depends on what quality of possession they get, especially from the set-pieces.
The scrums will be an area of concern for the Lions as the Sharks boast current Springbok Thomas du Toit at tighthead, who will have plenty of pent-up energy to get rid off as he has not played for a while, while Coenie Oosthuizen, capped 30 times for the Springboks but out of rugby for such a long time due to a major knee injury, will also be raring to go when he comes off the bench.
By way of contrast, the Lions will have two relatively inexperienced starting props in Sti Sithole and Johannes Jonker.
The Sharks have made such a good start to the campaign with three successive wins, but with Western Province enjoying the same record and the Lions having only lost once in four games, Today’s match is vital in terms of home semifinals.
At Newlands tonight it could very well be a case of two dogs fighting over one bone but the third one walks away with it. This is not referring to a possible result in Western Province’s Currie Cup clash against Griquas because they are set to run away with it on course to their fourth straight victory.
It’s rather about the Province back three with fullback Damian Willemse being trialled at fullback with a view to start him or Cheslin Kolbe there for the Springboks next weekend against the Wallabies in Port Elizabeth.
After a friendly request from Bok coach Rassie Erasmus, Province coach John Dobson agreed to play the 20-year-old there, who passed his test when he played there in last season’s Currie Cup final.
But it is at rightwing where the explosive Sergeal Petersen could steal the show, with all the attention on Willemse.
Petersen could even fill the void at right wing in Erasmus’ team although his slender build does not convince everyone he’ll be solid on defence, but Dobson believed Petersen has grabbed his opportunities and is currently on fire.
“When Sergeal arrived here from the Cheetahs he was plagued for a long time with injuries,” said Dobson.
“But since he has shaken off all his injuries he has performed very well and he is, I believe, one of the best exponents of the high ball,” said Dobson of Petersen who stunned the Golden Lions last weekend at Ellis Park with a well-orchestrated interception try.
But for Province the next two weekends will be vital and they will be looking for full houses tonight and next weekend at home against the Sharks as they continue to place their dominance on the competition.
Despite earning their first win against the Free State Cheetahs last weekend, Griquas should find the going very tough at Newlands.
Kick-off: 7.30pm.