Gold frustrated despite victory

 

The Sharks' four victories in this year's Super Rugby competition have been far from convincing, with a single point victory of the Chiefs last week followed up with a dour six point victory over the Force.

 

Gold is obviously happy that his team is picking up some winning momentum, but he is frustrated that the Sharks keep getting themselves into tight situations which call for great escapes.

 

"We may be good at winning close ones, but I feel like we should not be in these close ones," Gold said after picking up a third consecutive victory against the Force.

 

"The penny has to drop, and we have to understand that we cannot be putting ourselves in these pressure situations."

 

One of the benefits of the pressure situations the Sharks keep finding themselves in is the chance for their character and determination to grow, all the while churning out victories.

 

"I am happy with the character, and one or two aspects of the game – the defense was courageous, and the scrums are improving week in and week out.

 

"We are doing a lot of work at scrum time – especially with the reserves. 

 

"There were enough opportunities for us in the first half to really capitalize, we should have done enough to be out of range by half-time."

 

Gold was frank about his team's overall performance this year, stating that they are a team that should be competing with the best

 

However, at the moment, they are not there yet.

 

"We are not nearly playing well enough by our standards," Gold continued.

 

"We all know what is coming next week [a match against the Crusaders in Durban] so the improvements are going to have to be incredibly vast."

 

Gold did take some positives out of the Sharks' run of three consecutive victories.

 

"I am happy for small mercies at this moment – nobody got sent off, that is a good start!" he said dryly

 

"Nobody got injured, and we won the game. 

 

"I know this group of players can play a lot better, and if we have this kind of character, and our set-pieces function, and we start playing well, we can be a competitive team at the top."

 

Force coach Michael Foley was another disappointed man as his team failed to finish off the many opportunities they was presented with.

 

"I thought the guys fought very well in the game, and they created a lot of opportunities," Foley said after the match.

 

"I take my hat off to our blokes for that.

 

"But we did not finish the job.

 

"It is one thing to do all the hard work and create the opportunities but you have to finish them.

 

"There were key moments in the game where our basics let us down a bit.

 

"We had moment where we had to push ahead, and against a Sharks side in Durban, those opportunities do not come easily,

 

"So when you get them, you have to take them, and if you do not, then all that hard work is to no avail.