How to beat Sharks: 'Just tackle them'
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Waratahs are determined to make the most of their newfound momentum, when they host the Sharks in a crunch Round 11 encounter.
The Waratahs could claim the lead in the Australian conference – and a top-three spot – if they beat the physically imposing Sharks at the newly opened Western Sydney Stadium in Parramatta on Saturday.
The Tans put on display their ability to muscle up to bruising opponents when they beat the Rebels last week.
Lock Tom Staniforth said they are not overawed by the size of the South African visitors.
Staniforth recognised that all the Tahs forwards would be tested and would need to match the physicality of what he described as a typical South African pack.
“Big, strong, physical,” the 24-year-old said.
“We’ve just got to front up, there’s no two ways about it,” Staniforth added.
“They are going to try and run over us and we’re going to do our best to stop them.”
Defence will be key in a game where collisions will be brutal and key.
“You just tackle them,” he said.
“They run at you and you try and put them down.
“In terms of everything, technical, tactical, it’s all the same – they’re just bigger bodies and just got to tackle them – there’s not much to it.”
The Sharks, one of the most erratic and unpredictable teams in the competition, will be a tricky prospect for the Waratahs – coming to Australia off two consecutive losses, one to the Jaguares and one to the Reds.
Staniforth said they couldn’t take the Durban side lightly at all.
“In terms of that [South African] conference, it is always difficult to judge – because they have to do so much travel.
“Whether you play them away or at home, you’ve just got to take them as they come and if you underestimate them that’s when they’ll burn you.”
The second row forward said it was a goal of the forwards to stamp their authority on the opposition.
“I think as a pack we really want to stand up and take on the game,” he said.
“Our backs are awesome as everyone knows, but unless we’re giving them that clean ball what are they going to do?
“So, we have to provide that platform and then just sit back and watch them do their stuff.”
@rugby365com
