Niggly Bulls to test Sharks' resolve

 

The Sharks have faced a torrid time with their discipline, three red cards and three suspensions to senior players have blighted the Durban outfit's season.

 

Two of these incidents have been reactions from off the ball niggles – Bismarck du Plessis kicked Michael Leitch of the Chiefs in the head after he was held back from a ruck in Round Six.

 

Jean Deysel dropped a knee on to Crusaders flank Matt Todd's head when he was lying on the wrong side of the ruck in Round Eight.

 

However, these foul play reactions first surfaced against the Bulls in Round Three, where Du Plessis was thrown to the ground from a ruck and grappled with by Bulls lock Victor Matfield.

 

This incident seemed to rattle the Sharks in that game, and it was clear that Matfield was purposefully employing spoiling tactics to get under the Sharks' skin.

 

The coastal boys now welcome back the Bulls for their South African derby replay this weekend, and things have escalated in terms of disciplinary issues since then.

 

Sharks boss Gary Gold was questioned as to how the Sharks might react should the Bulls employ the same tactics, especially after being hit so hard by referees and in judicial hearings for their discipline.

"If the Bulls are going to employ that tactic, then we just cannot respond – it is a non negotiable. " Gold said ahead of the derby match on Saturday.

 

"We have seen what happens when we do respond. It is a difficult place and a difficult scenario to be in when players are being niggled off the ball.

 

"But unfortunately that is the way it is.

 

"It is a tough sport, but we will have to take the rough with the smooth.

 

"Our issue is that we cannot react, we can't respond and it is unacceptable for us to respond negatively."

 

Gold was obviously hopeful that the derby would be a tough, physical, yet clean, game and that the Bulls would not feel the need to antagonize his team.

 

"I hope the Bulls won't do that, but if they do – then so be it."

 

The Sharks are in a precarious position with respect to referees and judicial officers, due to the 'dirty-team' image that has been attached to them.

 

If there was to be an incident of foul play, that could go one way or another, it is likely that the poor disciplinary record of the Sharks would mean the decision going against them. However, Gold hopes that will not stunt his usually physical team.

"I do not want the players to play with any fear," Gold added.

 

 The coach then deferred the issue of referees taking a harder line on his team to captain Marco Wentzel.

 

"We are not a dirty team, there has been one or two incidents off the ball," Wentzel explained.

 

"But it becomes my responsibility, as the captain, to manage the referee.

 

"If the Bulls want to niggle, then that is how it is.

 

"The ref will referee it, and I will manage that on the field.

 

"We are here to play the game, and to rather focus on our own stuff."