Sharks can't afford to have Jekyll and Hyde mentality

SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: There is something about New Zealand teams that just brings out the best in the Sharks.

That was the case in 2018 when the Sharks won three out of their four matches against New Zealand teams in the league phase, which included a 63-40 win over the Blues in Auckland.

They ran the Hurricanes close at McLean Park before going down 37-38

It was a different story against the weaker Aussie teams with the Sharks suffering disappointing defeats to the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels and drawing with the Waratahs.

Ahead of their Super Rugby Round Two encounter against the Blues in Durban, Sharks flyhalf Robert du Preez knows that his team needs to bring the same intensity to each match if they are to mount a challenge for the Super Rugby title.

“The opposition brings the best out of you, but I don’t think we had a specific plan against the Kiwi sides,” said Du Preez.

“We obviously knew that they were really big games, but we have got to change our mindset a little bit. We can’t be up for a Kiwi game and then be down for an Aussie game.

“All the games are the same and I think there are no easy games this year. We will be looking to build on what we did last year. It’s a new year, and a new team – they [Blues] got some new signings, so it’s going to be a good battle out there on Saturday.”

The Blues travelled to Durban with a host of big names for Saturday’s clash and Du Preez is relishing the opportunity to come up against All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu.

“He [Nonu] is an experienced campaigner, he still has a lot of good rugby in him.

“He is physical with ball in hand and physical on defence, so we are looking forward to the prospect of playing against him,” said Du Preez.

He added: “That is where we need to start thinking about ourselves and not too much about them.

“I think we’ve got more than enough in our arsenal to handle whatever they throw at us. I think against teams with big names, you got to worry about yourself and I think that is what we are going to do this week.”

@rugby365com