Sharks loosies out to bully Province
CURRIE CUP FINAL SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Robert du Preez is banking on his loose forwards to help his team get a physical edge in Saturday’s Currie Cup Final against Western Province.
Daniel Du Preez and Tyler Paul have both been in excellent form and the inclusion of Daniel’s brother, Jean-Luc, to the starting team has given the Durban side some added power and physicality up front.
“Tyler has had an unbelievable season, he has played some great rugby,” said Robert du Preez. “He is a great guy to have in your team. He does the unseen hard work.
“It’s good to have JL [Jean-Luc du Preez] back in the mix. We know it’s going to be an abrasive battle, so that is why we selected him.
“We know what we have in Jacques [Vermeulen] and also Luke Stringer, so when they come on they will definitely make a difference.”
The Sharks reached the final after a hard-fought 33-24 victory over the Golden Lions, while Province needed extra time to edge the Blue Bulls 35-32 in a thrilling clash in Cape Town.
Du Preez believes that extra 20 minutes of high-pressure rugby played last weekend could have a negative effect on WP’s performance in the Final.
“I think it could potentially have an effect on them.
“They played an extra 20 minutes, it was a stressful extra 20 minutes and they played late so it’s all going to come down to all those one percenters on the day,” he added.
On the flip side, that test of character could also stand Province in good stead heading into the final.
“The game for me just showed that you can’t underestimate anyone,” said the Sharks coach.
“The previous week [in Pretoria in Round Eight] the Bulls were down and out by half-time and then they came back and put in a fantastic performance [in the semi-final] and they were unlucky not to win that game, so I am sure they {WP] have done their reflection on that game.”
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
We head into a massive clash this Saturday…
A ‘hall of fame’ of greats has worn the black and white jersey for #OurSharks over the decades.
They stand together behind our boys as they prepare to join this legacy of legends in the upcoming Currie Cup final!#OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/rKDs7bUFxC— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) October 25, 2018
