Alberts: Why Sharks lost their cool
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Returning Springbok loose forward Willem Alberts has come out in defence of his under-fire Sharks teammates.
Alberts, who confirmed that he is available for selection for the Sharks trip to Johannesburg and encounter the high-flying Lions, backed the men from Durban to bounce back with a vengeance.
The Sharks have not had the best start to their Super Rugby campaign – losing three of their first four matches and saw the Crusaders put 52 points past them last week.
The Durban-based outfit's poor discipline has also resulted in several senior players getting slapped with l;enthy bans.
Bismark Du Plessis was the first to fall, with a four-week suspension – after a kick to the head of Chiefs No.8 Michael Leitch. He will return to play on April 19.
Frans Steyn was the second foul-play blow, with a five-week suspension for a spear-tackle on Chiefs flyhalf Aaron Cruden in the same match. He will return to action on May 3.
Jean Deysel, the latest guilty party, received a whopping seven-week slam – for a knee to the head of Crusaders flank Matt Todd. He will return on May 23.
This has resulted in the capabilities of the the brains-trust – Director of Rugby Gary Gold, head coach Brad Macleoud-Henderson and CEO John Smit – being questioned in the media.
Alberts suggested the slump in form could be atributed to a new set-ups and frustration of not meeting the high standards they set for themselves.
"It was frustration that was building up, and there were high expectations for the players and the team, and we haven't met those standards," Alberts said at a media briefing in Durban.
"It was also a new beginning for us again this season, with new coaching staff, as well as a few injuries.
"Then some bad decisions, which hurt us a bit, resulting in players [being banned] that will not be with us for some weeks."
Alberts is still positive though that the Sharks can regroup and clinch a play-off spot.
"We [the Sharks] are still in it, we had a hiccup last week, but luckily next week we get a new chance and we have to take that chance and go forward."
When things start to go bad, it feels like it's all going bad, but I think we are on the right track.
"We just need to regroup and believe in the guys who are playing, work hard for each other, and hard work will pay-off," Alberts added.In the rare bit of good news for the Sharks, surrounded by a cloud bad press, Alberts is feeling fresh and is ready for much-needed game time.
"Im feeling good, its been an up-and-down year so far, lots of training with no playing, it is good to be back and I am ready to play," Alberts said.
Alberts was struck down late last year with a hamstring injury, which saw him miss a large chunk of the 2014 season and the first few rounds of the 2015 Super Rugby.
After he made his much-anticipated return against the Stormers on March 7, Alberts lasted just 45 minutes before succumbing to another injury which saw him frustratingly spend more time on the sidelines.
"It was a set-back, but it is part of rugby, you have to deal with it and fight your way back to play, and if you get a chance you have to do your best"
Looking towards the Lions game this coming weekend in Johannesburg, Alberts acknowledges the strengths of the Lions team.
"They stay in the fight the whole game, they play for the full 80, all the guys coming off the bench inject some pace, it will be a tough game this weekend"
For the Sharks, they have gone back to the drawing board, following their humiliating defeat to the Crusaders at Kings Park.
"We need to get back to basics, and get our error rate down.
"In every game there are some errors either on defence or on attack, as well as individual errors, and we just need to cut them out, then we will get more ball and momentum and we can play," Alberts added.
@Rugby365com
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