Sharks hatching a plan for dangerous Blues
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Blues sent a clear warning to future opponents in this year’s Super Rugby tournament, despite going down to the Crusaders in their opening match.
The Blues outplayed the Crusaders for large periods of their match Eden Park. However, a few missed kicks at goal saw Leon MacDonald’s team go down 22-24.
The Sharks will know that a Blues team featuring the likes of Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu will represent a much tougher challenge than the Sunwolves, a team the Durban side smashed 45-10.
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“We’ve watched that game [Blues v Crusaders] and we’re busy putting a plan together,” said Sharks attack coach David Williams.
“Personnel-wise, they [Blues] are a great team. But we have seen some things that we can possibly exploit and playing in front of our home crowd gives the guys an extra 10 percent.
“The first game at home is going to be fantastic.”
For the Sharks, a bonus-point win in difficult conditions in Singapore was mission accomplished.
“It was the outcome we wanted. Five points, a few tries scored – the driving maul tries scored by the forwards especially were fantastic,” said Williams.
“We went with a clear plan to be aggressive and dominant, taking into account the humidity and the early stage of the season, and we got exactly what we wanted out of the game.
He added: “I think people sometimes underestimate the Sunwolves, they come with massive intent and they have good processes in place, possibly still needing to build talent-wise, but as far as attitude goes, there is no faulting that, they’re a tough team to play against.”
Williams was also pleased with the way his team played with the ball on attack.
“Watching the Sharks as a fan from afar and looking at their mindset, it’s that bravery with the ball that I appreciate,” he explained.
“I love a team that sees opportunities to be brave on attack. I always temper that with not being stupid with the ball. Perhaps with the Sunwolves the execution wasn’t quite there, but the bravery and mindset to create something was.”
Source: @TheSharksZA
