Sharks primed for heavy fire
8 Oct 2007
The Sharks’ best performances are still ahead if assistant coach Grant Bashford is to be believed.
The Durban union will face the Lions in the semi-final at Kings’ Park this Saturday. They’ve got a 50% record against Loffie Eloff’s charges this season, succumbing to a superb defensive effort at Ellis Park then gaining retribution in the home match, albeit via a below par performance.
Injuries to key players have stifled any continuity they may have built up since then. But Bashford said that if they continue to progress in the manner they have this season, one could yet see the best of the youthful side.
“I can’t say we’ve hit our best form yet because for us it’s been a continual process of growth,” Bashford told keo.co.za.
“We knew that we’d lose a lot of players to the Springboks so it was always important for us to get youngsters coming through and then get them gelling with the more experienced guys to get a cohesive unit.
“We’re pleased with the way that process has played itself out and we’ve seen a number of really good youngsters come through, like Pat Cilliers, Robbie Harris and a couple of others. They’ve been tested and the rewarding thing for us is that they’ve stood up well.
“So at this stage of the competition we’re happy about where our game is at,” he continued. “I think there are still areas of our game where we can be more accurate but I’m confident we’ll switch on when it matters most and hopefully you’ll see a very clinical team.”
One of those areas the Sharks will look to remedy against the Lions is their set phase work. They’ve struggled in this facet of play against competent sides, and the Lions will no doubt look to target them here. Bashford agreed that their performance at scrums and lineouts fell below expectation but predicted an improvement.
“Our set phase work could have been more accurate, and it’s has had an [adverse] effect on our attacking play. But our forwards have made up in other areas, and we’ve always kept ourselves in games which says a lot about this team’s character.
“The goal is obviously a complete performance and I’m confident we’ll move closer to that [against the Lions].”
The Sharks will welcome the return of AJ Venter and Brad Barritt, who are both expected to start. Venter will restore some balance to the back row and his experience will be crucial in a pressure match. Barritt’s leadership, organisational skills, defence and composure under pressure will be an asset to a side who have missed those characteristics at flyhalf.
By Ryan Vrede
13 Comments
8 Oct 2007, 07:02 am
Go Sharks!!
8 Oct 2007, 07:36 am
First!! The joys of living in a different time zone!
8 Oct 2007, 08:15 am
Die Leeus gaan die vissies kou!
8 Oct 2007, 08:58 am
Die Leeus are going to drown in the Shark Tank!
8 Oct 2007, 09:03 am
Nee wat die vissies is te flou!
8 Oct 2007, 09:23 am
4 – No, it’s going to be like a sardine run. A mad fishing free-for-all. Chuck a few lions in there and just sit back and watch the carnage.
How do you even plan to face a team that just demolished Boland 75-0? Specially since you could only scrape a 43-29 against the abysmal Valke?
Lions for a home final against the Bulls. Bring it on.
8 Oct 2007, 09:52 am
#6 …dit gaan ‘n probleem wees as die finaal by Ellispark plaasvind, die ouens het reeds met bouwerk begin, klaar ‘n bietjie van ‘n gemors by EPS.
8 Oct 2007, 10:17 am
Katman, I like that optimism. We will be in the finals, but I am not sure whether it will be Cheetah’s or Bulls, but bring them on. Would prefer the game at EPS, but will be happy to see the boys finally win the CC.
Walter are you back? How was France?
8 Oct 2007, 10:31 am
Ek dink die Leeus het nou net begin peak op die regte oomblik.
Hulle lyk skielik na ‘n goed gedissiplineerde span, en veral hul verdediging lyk goed. Nie enige span kan twee weke in ‘n ry keer dat niks punte teen hul aangeteken word nie, veral as die een wedstryd nog teen GW is in Kimberley.
Wat in die Haaie se guns tel, is die passie waarmee hul speel, tuisveldvoordeel en hul skrumskakel wat ‘n wedstryd kan omkeer.
Wat die Vrystaat en Bulle betref, dink ek die wedstryd sal (weereens) taai wees tot en met 15 minute oor, en dan sal die Vrystaat se ondervinding, tuisveldvoordeel, en de Waal se skopskoen die oorhand kry.
Finaal: Vrystaat teen Leeus
8 Oct 2007, 11:08 am
Man, ek is so trots op hierdie Leeus. Kom manne, doen dit nou vir ons.
Ek wil bietjie Bloem toe ry vir ‘n finaal.
8 Oct 2007, 13:00 pm
Ek dink dis hoog blerrie tyd dat die leeus weer bietjie in die finals speel. My bek is nou al te lank droog hier in Joburg. Tyd vir die haaitjies om bietjie op hul neuse te kyk en vir die flou-bulle om van hulle perdjie af te val.
8 Oct 2007, 17:55 pm
I am a LION. But a real one … the ENGLISH LION. Otherwise I am a Shark, the last outpost! Crunch the cruchies then onto the finals. GO SHARKS!!!!!!!
8 Oct 2007, 21:17 pm
What time are the currie cup semi finals being played?
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