Sharks are over the travel barrier

 

After slipping down the table to third, and missing the margin against the Stormers in their final pool game, the Sharks doomed themselves to a travel-packed path to the Final.

 

However, having won three out four on the road in the regular season, including a spectacular 13-man victory over upcoming opponents the Crusaders, the Sharks are less perturbed by the thought of packing their bags again.

 

Sharks' Flank Jacque Botes spoke to Darryn Pollock about his teams mental strength in over coming the travel barrier that plagues many teams.

 

"As all players say, it's a cliche, but we do take it week by week," the Sharks stalwart said.

 

"Traditionally we do not mind traveling and this year we had an excellent tour winning three out of four, and the other one being within seven points.

 

"We are over the mental and psychological block of traveling being a barrier.

 

"I think what is different in this year, compared to the past, is that we head to New Zealand now and we can stay that side depending on results – there won't be this back and forth like in 2012, that was difficult."

 

The Sharks were able to enact some revenge when it really mattered against the Highlanders with their 31-27 victory and Botes puts it down to Jake Whites tactical awareness of other teams.

 

"In hindsight it is good that we lost to them, when they beat us back in April we were coming off a five or six game winning streak so they brought us back to earth there.

 

"One thing Jake [White] is renowned for is his tactical awareness and how to approach a game, he is exceptionally good at that.

 

"He understands how we want to play and he is good at analyzing how the opposition plays

 

"That is one of his big things he has brought to the Sharks this year."

 

Botes was clear that the Sharks were not at their best prior, and just after the international window – but he is sure that they are back to their best.

 

"Pervious to this, our game has not been up to form – the game against the Stormers really saw us back on track.

 

"As a team what we have shown this year is that when the pressure is one we are able to absorb it and come up with the results when it matters."

 

The Sharks now take on the Crusaders who have had a week off after securing second place on the log and an automatic semifiinal berth.

 

Meanwhile, the Waratahs await the Brumbies in Sydney with the victors of these two matches going onto the Final to contest for the trophy.