Sharks need to be ferocious on attack
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Sharks can’t afford to sit back and rely on defence in their Super Rugby quarterfinal clash against the Crusaders.
That was the message from Sharks head coach Robert du Preez ahead of the clash in Christchurch on Saturday.
If the Sharks are going to pull off a massive upset against the defending champions, they will have to find ways of getting a fair share of the ball. They will also have to be accurate in the strike zone, which is something they have struggled with during the season.
They are currently the third bottom team in terms of tries scored this season, while the Crusaders are currently the joint leaders in that area.
“It going to be important to make sure that we don’t go out there just to defend,” said Du Preez. “We have to get the ball in hand, put phases together and really go in there and attack.
“We have absolutely nothing to lose and on Saturday we are going to do just that. Every player in the team is going to be up for it.”
The Sharks have a 75 percent success rate against New Zealand teams this year but playing the Crusaders in a play-off match in Christchurch is a totally different challenge.
The Sharks have not played the Crusaders this year and have only ever won once in Christchurch.
“The guys like playing against New Zealand teams, its brought the best out of the team.
“We are playing against a formidable side who have been playing really good rugby the whole season. Their record speaks for itself, but this is a one-off game and we are going to give it our best shot and we are there to beat the odds on Saturday,” Du Preez added.
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