VIDEO: 'We have a score to settle'
Phepsi Buthelezi is unyielding in his belief that the Sharks will not be distracted by the looming Challenge Cup face-off with Clermont Auvergne when the Durban side tackles Scarlets in a United Rugby Championship outing on Friday.
With the big Twickenham Stoop date (Saturday, May 4) just over a week away, it would be easy to forgive the Sharks if their focus is not on Friday’s Parc y Scarlets encounter.
After all, the Durban-based franchise is no longer in the running for a URC top-eight spot, so their only route back into Europe’s premier league is winning the Challenge Cup.
However, Buthelezi is adamant that their most recent encounter – a 20-32 loss at the same Llanelli venue is what is driving them this week.
“We are 100 percent focused on this game against Scarlets,” he told @rugby365com.
There is a familiarity with the stadium and the surroundings, giving the Sharks a more relaxed build-up to the game.
Scarlets, like the Sharks, are well outside the top 10 on the standings – sitting in 15th place with 16 points and three wins, just two points behind the 13th-placed Sharks (three wins).
Buthelezi described Scarlets as “a bit of a mixed bag” team.
The Welsh region’s pack of forwards – with Tonga locks Vaea Fifita and Sam Lousi – makes them a big threat.
(WATCH as Sharks loose forward Phendulani Buthelezi explains how they manage to focus on the URC with a #BIG Europe date looming….)
“Those guys have been around for a long time,” the Sharks loose forward said.
“They have also been unlucky with some of their results and will be looking to get another one over us.”
He added that it is a “nice challenge” for the Sharks, with last year’s result a big motivating factor.
“We have a score to settle down here.”
That is their focus now and they will switch to the Clermont challenge ‘next week’.
“Performing against Scarlets will give us momentum going into [Europe] next week.”
@king365ed
@rugby365com
