Sharks have a point to prove against the Blues

AFTER all the off-field goingson of the past three weeks, the Sharks will make a welcome return to Super Rugby action today, in what should be an enthralling clash against the much-improved Blues at King’s Park.

Behind-the-scenes comings and goings have overshadowed the build-up to today’s clash, but some much-needed respite from the boardroom politics will be provided when the rugby takes centre stage again at the Shark Tank.

The Durban side has more of a mathematical, than realistic chance of sneaking into the play-offs, but this game is about a lot more than the result.

It’s about playing for pride in the jersey, for the fans, and for ex-coach John Plumtree.

“Plum has been exceptionally successful at the Sharks, not only as a player, but as a coach as well,” Sharks captain Keegan Daniel said this week.

“He’s served us really well and we want to do him proud, but like I’ve said to the team, we are here as players and we need to focus on what our job is, and that’s to produce good performances on the field of play.”

The return of eight Springboks, and a few more from injury, have bolstered the Sharks for this clash, and there still seems to be a spirit of determination, desire and defiance within the camp.

“There’s a reason those guys are Springboks, so to have that calibre coming back is a massive plus,” Daniel said.

“But a lot of guys also stepped up against the Lions (in a friendly last Friday), and we have a few coming back from injury, and some playing in new positions. I thought some of the rugby we played was very exciting last Friday, so we can build on that.”

Daniel added that they wanted to embrace a positive style of play for the remainder of the competition.

“The Blues have had some good wins this season, but having said that, I think we need to focus on ourselves.

“Everyone is alluding to what’s been happening around us, and it has been tough, but we just want to go out there and express ourselves and play a great brand of rugby.”

Nevertheless, the Sharks captain said they’d taken cognisance of the Blues’ strengths.

“They’re a dynamic side and they have some excellent backs that can create opportunities from anywhere.

“The Blues like it when the game opens up and then they can be very dangerous, they are quick to capitalise on mistakes. We have looked at what they’ve got, but the set-pieces are going to be vital for us this weekend, if we can put pressure on them at first-phase then that will be a big step.”

In the absence of Plumtree, assistants Grant Bashford and Hugh Reece- Edwards will guide the team through the rest of the season, and the latter reiterated just how much there was still to play for.

“There have been circumstances (that have contributed to our current log standing), but by the same token, the bottom line is results, and those results haven’t gone our way. So the guys are really keen to turn that around and finish the pool stages off with three positives.

“Everyone has always rated the Blues, and they have a number of All Blacks in their squad. We also know they will target this as a must-win game – if they win, they’re still in the race for the play-offs.

“So for us it’s a massive game, one with a bit of emotion in it as well, but we also want to prove what we are capable of because we don’t believe we’ve been as bad as what the results have shown.” Sharks: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Louis Ludik, 12 Butch James, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (c), 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Edwin Hewitt, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: 16 Bismarck du lessis, 17 Daniel Mienie/Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Jandré Marais, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22. Jaco van Tonder. Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Francis Saili, 11 George Moala, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (c), 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tim Perry. Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Kane Barrett/Culum Retallick, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Jamison Gibson-Park, 21 Baden Kerr, 22 Rene Ranger