Depth not a problem for Sharks
Comments
0
Despite losing players to national duty, injuries and overseas commitments, The Sharks still have a number of experienced and exciting young players to call on for their Currie Cup campaign.
In the past the Durban side lost a large amount of their playing stocks to the Springboks, however, with the massive injury toll the team experienced in this year's Super Rugby campaign, a number of younger players had to be thrown into the arena to be tested.
"I'm very excited about the team, about the balance between the young players who are so enthusiastic and a couple of older guys we have," head coach Gary Gold told reporters in Durban on Wednesday.
"We have plenty of experience in Jean Deysel and Marco Wentzel, and Philip van der Walt has joined us now and he's looked particularly impressive. Michael Claassens has been very impressive too, likewise Joe Pietersen, and [backline coach] Sean Everitt must be licking his lips with the backs that we have.
"We have such an exciting backline with Andre Esterhuizen who played so well, S'bura too, Odwa, I thought was very good; to name a few. We have a really good balance this year with a little bit of experience but a lot of youth. We also have the SA Under-20 players coming back in. It's exciting times at the moment."
Gold also feels that he has the right mix of players that will adapt to the fast paced nature of Currie Cup rugby
"If you take just one position – lock – Etienne Oosthuizen will go to second row, he's played back row in Super Rugby, you have those kinds of mobile players in the second row which can only stand you in good stead.
"Then there's Philip van der Walt, Jean-Luc and Daniel du Preez, Khaya Majola and Jean Deysel to pick from in the back row, we have quite a mobile team. I think it can lead to some exciting rugby" Gold added.
Continuity in the Sharks coaching setup is one area that might put the team in good stead for the domestic competition after Gold announced he will continue to the coach the team before a new Super Rugby coach is named.
"There is such a short space of time between Super Rugby and the Currie Cup, it made sense to continue with the same setup," said Gold.
"Brad Macleod-Henderson chose to move on so it made perfect sense for Ryan Strudwick to step up. His experience speaks volumes; not only did we work together in the UK, he was our captain and we won trophies together, but he's been an outstanding coach in KwaZulu-Natal for a number of years, recently winning the Varsity shield. 
"For me it's a very exciting prospect to take Durban boys and be able to bring them through. Sean Everitt's experience is fantastic, he was a rock in the Super Rugby competition, he's coached at club level and been successful there and he's done very well with the juniors. It's great continuity to be able to bring these guys through and I'm very excited for this Currie Cup campaign."
Although 'pre-season' training only commenced this week, already there is a clear plan to develop a competitive squad, one that can win trophies.
With The Sharks opening Currie Cup game against the Pumas still over a month away, Gold already has a clear plan to develop the squad competitively.
"Our planning and preparation has been pretty good and precise, there are a few new things we’re looking to introduce that I'm excited can make a big difference to our campaign and to the way we manage this young squad.
"It's a real blooding-in period with a lot of youngsters who will be given a chance. With losing so many, this presents an unbelievably exciting opportunity to put our young guys out there," said Gold.
Source: sharksrugby.co.za
ADVERTISEMENT
