AUDIO: 'Big week' for Sharks
LISTEN as Sharks assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher speaks about a “massive” week that awaits them, as they look to bounce back from two consecutive defeats.
Back-to-back defeats to the Stormers (11-16 in Durban) and Bulls (14-37 in Pretoria) have left the Sharks in a precarious mid-table position.
Coming off a bye week, they are desperate to get their campaign back on track.
Loubscher admitted that only time will tell if the break came at a good time.
“There’s been a lot of introspection and soul-searching from our side and there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes,” Loubscher told a media scrum at the team’s training ground in Durban.
He said, despite the two defeats, there’s still a “good vibe” in the camp.
“We have some things we want to fix,”Loubscher said, adding: “We are looking forward to a big week.
“The boys can’t wait to get out on the field, in front of our home fans.
“We have a score to settle in terms of getting back to winning ways again.”
The Sharks coaching staff had some “good meetings” in the wake of their two derby defeats.
He said “small mistakes” put them under pressure in the big moments.
The Rebels are also looking to bounce back from a defeat – having lost 33-36 to the Lions at Ellis Park this past weekend – having held a 33-5 lead early in the second half.
They won the first of their three matches – beating the Brumbies twice (34-27 & 29-26) and the Highlanders (24-19).
Loubscher readily acknowledges that they face an enormous challenge.
“They have huge experience at No.9 and No.10 – with Will Genia and Quade Cooper,” the Sharks’ assistant coach said.
“However, you can’t just focus on individuals.
“As a team, they will be a handful on attack – so we’re going to have to make sure we bring our A-game defensively and then come up with a plan on attack.
“It is a massive challenge for us. [They are] a team full of Wallabies, with a No.9 and a No.10 that have been around the block.”
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