VIDEO: Sharks won't compromise URC to salvage Currie Cup
Humiliating back-to-back losses, more than 100 points conceded and an almost certain guarantee that they won’t retain their title.
Yet, after mortifying defeats to the Lions (5-46) and Bulls (0-64) in the opening rounds of the Currie Cup, the Sharks are happy to continue feeding their pups to the competition’s big predators.
This past weekend’s whitewash of the defending-champion Sharks by the table-topping Bulls showed the massive difference in class between the two teams – the Bulls having a host of seasoned players on their roster and the Sharks made up of talented age-group team members.
It was the proverbial contest of men against boys.
Sixteen turnovers, 12 penalties and 30 missed tackles by the Sharks tell a story all of their own.
Yet, Currie Cup coach JP Pietersen is adamant that the United Rugby Championship and Europe’s premium event, the Champions Cup, is where their focus and resources are.
Pietersen, looking for morsels of positivity, said they are looking forward to their first home game of the season when they host the high-flying Cheetahs at Kings Park this coming Saturday.
Describing their start to the season as a ‘tough one’, Pietersen said they will remain steadfast in their focus to develop players for the URC.
(WATCH as Sharks coach JP Pietersen explains why there is not a premium on salvaging a fast-failing Currie Cup campaign….)
“Our chief objective is to develop players,” he said in a post-match media briefing in Pretoria, adding: “The URC is a long season.
“The Lions and Bulls have gone about it in the Currie Cup in a different way, but one of our goals is to win the URC or the Champions Cup.”
He said head coach John Plumtree is looking for players who can hold their own on Europe’s biggest stage.
“Plum is looking for players capable of touring in the URC after the Currie Cup, with all the Springboks away [on international duty].
“It is what it is,” he said of the poor results at the domestic level.
The World Cup-winning former Springbok wing is adamant that the Sharks can improve their fortunes, but said they will not compromise on their main goal – the URC and Europe.
While such heavy losses are demoralising, they will continue to look for players who are up to that task in international competitions.
“You can break a player or build resilience,” the coach said.
“The bigger picture that everybody must understand is that Plumtree said to us the main goal is the URC.”
Pietersen said they won’t compromise their URC plans just to salvage the Currie Cup.
“If you bring in players from [the URC] pre-season that are not contact ready, then you risk injury and will be in bigger trouble.”
@king365ed
@rugby365com
