Sharks not looking for any favours
Sharks boss Jake White knows that his table-topping team still have plenty to do if they want to control their own destiny.
The Durban side are five points clear of the Waratahs at the top of the standings after a successful Australasian tour which saw them claim three wins out of four, but White knows that things can go south quickly in the run-in to the play-offs.
The Sharks mentor pointed to the big movements on the log this past weekend as evidence that they cannot afford to take anything for granted.
“In one weekend, teams that were right up there, like the Brumbies and Chiefs, dropped to sixth and seventh on the log. For me, that just shows how small the margins are and if you get it wrong, you can fall out.
"The most important thing about this competition is when you can control your own destiny. You don’t have to worry about this team beating that team, or bonus points; you just have to keep winning.
"As much as I talk about it and keep re-emphasising it, it showed this weekend. The log at the start and then at the end of the weekend looks completely different,” he said.
With away wins a scarce commodity in this year's competition, White knows that home advantage will be critical in the play-offs, which is why his side cannot afford to conced ground on their rivals at this late stage.
“If we win our remaining three games, we can have a home semifinal and a home final and we know the importance of having that, based on results not only in this tournament but the last few play-off games over the years – home ground plays a massive role,” he said.
White's side are up against an in-form Stormers team at Kings Park this weekend before the June international break, and there were no injuries to report this week.
“We’re 100%, which is fantastic. At this point in time, it looks like everyone is available from the Blues game, we have some players at the Bok camp and we have to hold thumbs that no-one gets injured there, but at this point in time, going into the last round before the June break, we’re looking quite positive,” said White.
He will also be hoping for the return to action of Marcell Coetzee who is currently at the Bok camp, although he hasn’t managed to meet with him as yet.
