Everitt covers all bases with Sharks' leaders
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt does not want “lack of leadership” to be a topic that comes up during his team’s Super Rugby campaign in 2020.
Centre Lukhanyo Am was named squad captain for the season, but he will be assisted by a core leadership group consisting of Thomas Du Toit, Louis Schreuder, Andre Esterhuizen, Curwin Bosch and Makazole Mapimpi.
Everitt hopes the leadership group will take some of the pressure of Am’s shoulders.
“In the past the Sharks have been spoken about as a team with lack of leadership, so we felt that there was a need to grow the leadership group in the squad,” said Everitt.
“It’s very difficult for Lukhanyo to oversee everything on and off the field, so we felt as management that he would need some assistance in that department.
“I think because we are a new squad and a youthful squad, it would be necessary to get leaders around him to support the youngsters and the new players in the team, so we brought in five leaders to help Lukhanyo with the job on the field.
“They each got responsibilities and they are really important responsibilities if we want to be a player-driven organisation.
“Thomas du Toit comes in to look after the set-piece, Louis Schreuder will look after the game management and organisation, Andre Esterhuizen will look after the defence. Curwin [Bosch], who is growing as a general on the field, will be looking after the attack and the man [Makazole Mapimpi] that scores the tries will be looking after the transition because that is where the majority of the tries come from.”
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Although this try was ruled out for obstruction at the Vodacom Superhero Sunday, one can’t help but appreciate the exceptional skill shown by Aphelele Fassi 🏉#OurSharksForever #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/yCI2jEb2Rd
— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) January 23, 2020
A lot of the spotlight will be on Curwin Bosch in the flyhalf role this season and Everitt believes he can take over from Am in the future.
“The team looks at the No.10 for leadership,” Everitt added.
“Curwin has grown as a leader within the group – he is an outspoken person at team meetings and rightfully so because that is his job on the field.
“We feel that we can develop him further and hopefully one day he could take over the reins from Lukhanyo.”
