Sharks boss' take on scrum struggles against Stormers
REACTION: Sharks head coach JP Pietersen knows his side have work to do at scrum time after their 22-39 defeat to the Stormers at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
The Sharks fielded a formidable front row, featuring Springbok props Thomas du Toit and Ox Nché alongside hooker Eduan Swart.
However, the Durban side struggled during the Round Three clash, conceding multiple scrum penalties against the Stormers pack and handing the hosts a significant advantage.
The result leaves the Sharks with several areas to address, particularly after their scrum impressed in the Round Two victory over Leinster.
“It was probably two of the best scrumming packs in the competition, so it’s always going to go 50-50,” Pietersen told reporters when asked about the scrum battle.
“It was quite a pressure situation for the referee and the TMO, so it was definitely a proper contest at scrum time.”
Pietersen acknowledged that the contest swung both ways but admitted that the penalties conceded on their own put-in proved costly.
“Sometimes we got them and sometimes they came back and scrummed us. We will work on it, especially the two against us on our ball. I think that hurt us.
“We were just outside our 22 and defended well to get the ball back. You give yourself up and then a scrum penalty, not even a reset scrum penalty, they went in the corner. The maul was great from the Stormers.
“We must give credit. I think we must get better on our contesting. That’s something we need to work on.”
Technical issues under scrutiny
The Sharks coach also pointed to a possible technical issue at scrum time.
“I heard, it’s a technical thing. I think it was more the hookers.
“Eduan Swart stated it [the scrum penalty] was first his brake foot and he scrummed down.
“I will have to chat to the scrum coach.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but it’s technical things.
“[Nonetheless] it was Wilco Louw and Ntuthuko Mchunu, along with Andre-Hugo Venter on the [Stormers’] side, so it was a good challenge.”
The Sharks will now look to address those shortcomings as they prepare for the Challenge Cup opener against Lyon next week.
