AUDIO: Sharks' positives outweigh the negatives
REACTION: Although his side suffered a pre-season defeat to Stormers, Sharks coach Sean Everitt was left very content in Soweto on Sunday.
Unlike his counterpart John Dobson, Sharks new coach Everitt was very satisfied with his team’s display during their 19-21 defeat. And with good reason.
The Durban side conceded three tries, but with great forward dominance in the first-half and impressive backline, they managed to score three tries as well.
In the end, it was only a conversion that separated the two teams.
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“We happy with the outcome of the match and what it produced. This is a warm-up game for us and there were a lot of positives,” Everitt told reporters after the match.
“From an attack and defence point of view, our set-piece functioned well in the first half. Unfortunately, from some weak maul defence, we leaked a soft try and another opportunistic try in the second half,”
He added: “Our breakdown was good, think the work that we put in during the preseason came to fruition and as far as that concern we are happy, don’t think I will look too much into the results it was three tries a-piece,”
The Springbok-laden backline with Lukhanyo Am and wings Sbu Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi certainly gave the Sharks supporters something to smile about. Mampimpi scored two tries, one perfectly set up by Am’s timely kick.
Fullback Aphelele Fassi was another lethal attacking option for the men in black, unfortunately for the rising star, his brilliant solo try was ruled out after the TMO spotted an obstruction in the build-up.
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While the pack powered by new signing Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nche, Thomas du Toit and Kerron van Vuuren dominated the Stormers’ upfront.
Far from a complete performance – giving nature of a warm-up – the Sharks would nevertheless take some momentum into their Super Rugby opener against the Bulls on January 31.
“It was not easy conditions, coming from Durban and playing in the Highveld is never easy, but our guys did well and the replacements kept the same energy.
“We made a few mistakes but very happy with the personnel and individual performances,’
“There were certainly more positives than negatives,”
He explained: “One of the big positives about our performance was the set-piece at scrum time,” said Everitt.
“We were definitely the dominant pack in the first half. I wouldn’t say that is surprising because we have worked really hard and we have two very good props playing for us plus Kerron van Vuuren at hooker who is now coming through nicely.
“Le Roux Roets adds bulk in the second row and Hyron Andrews is now an experienced player. Add in the play of a couple of experienced loose-forwards and it was overall a good performance that we should be happy with,”
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Photo credit: @TheSHarksZA
