Alberts: 'We have a job to do'

Sharks tackling machine Willem Alberts believes it’s time to go to work in the Currie
Cup Final regardless of World Cup disappointments.

Amid all the hype surrounding some returning Boks having a second shot at silverware, Alberts says you have to do well for your union before even thinking about being a Boks so it’s time for a Sharks attack.

“You have your union duties before you get the Springbok call and now that we’re back at the Sharks, we have a job to do and definitely looking forward to the chance to lift the cup,” Alberts said.

Alberts will be up against his former side the Lions on Saturday, who he played for in the 2007 Currie Cup Final.

“I was there when the union was struggling, we made a final in 2007, were up against the Cheetahs at one stage but lost the game, so that memory will sit with some of the players who were there,” he added.

The big forward believes the Lions have turned the corner and will make life very tough for the Sharks.

“This is a new [Lions] team, I don’t think the past will bother them too much because it’s a new campaign and a new era for them. They will be going out and giving it their all,” he said.

Alberts admitted that the Sharks were a bit rusty when it comes to playing together as a team, but believes the mistakes in the first half against the Cheetahs last week are behind them now.

“We were waiting for things to happen, we made a few mistakes and Free State made it difficult for us, but when we did what we had trained, it went well,” he said. 

“We know we have a big challenge ahead of us – from the starting whistle we need to pull together and play as a team.”