VIDEO: Everitt addresses Sharks' set-piece posers
Sharks coach Sean Everitt was quick to pour cold water on any overzealous celebrations in the wake of their Rainbow Cup victory over the Stormers in Cape Town at the weekend.
In a drama-filled match – which saw two red cards and a hat-trick of tries by lock Reniel Hugo – the Sharks edged the Stormers 33-30.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi lined up against his former franchise teammates at the Cape Town Stadium, where the KwaZulu-Natalians managed to pull off a three-point win thanks to a rousing second-half comeback.
Form was on the side of the Sharks who had won four of the last six encounters between the coastal rivals and they made it five from seven with a five-try victory.
However, for Everitt, there was plenty to work on as they shift their focus to a Round Two encounter with the Lions.
He said he was not happy with his team’s performance – after they went trailed 0-17, before rallying to score 21 unanswered second-half points to take a 33-23 lead.
A late Stormers try resulted in a tense finish, but the Sharks held on for an away win in the opening round.
“It is the sign of a good team when you don’t play well and still get the win,” Everitt said.
He said the positive to come out of the game was the character his team showed.
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“The workrate and the effort they put in, on the field, can’t be questioned.”
However, ser pieces remain a concern for the Sharks coach.
“In the line-outs, we gave away quite a few penalties early on.
“However, the guys found a way and were able to get the ball across the chalk [score tries] in the second half, which is really pleasing.”
Everitt admitted they will need to work on their line-outs.
“We knew we were going to face a Stormers pack with a number of Springboks, which was always going to be an uphill battle,” the coach said.
“However, we need to be better than that.
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