The Cell C Sharks are back on the training field following this past weekend’s bye, preparing for the Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders at JONSSON KINGS PARK on Saturday.
With the tournament having reached the halfway point roughly (a few byes here and there mean some teams have played more games than others), centre Marius Louw feels the team are tracking along fairly well.
“It’s gone well for the team although things haven’t always gone according to plan,” he explains, “but we feel that we’re on an upward curve which is a positive.
“Personally, I’ve been very happy with getting game time, the coaches have trusted me and put me on in the last few minutes and I really appreciate that and I’m hoping to get more time on the field to prove them right.”
The style of play embraced by the team is one he enjoys and embraces, stressing that the team strive for constant improvement.
“I’m enjoying the brand of rugby we’re playing, the Sharks have always been a team that play exciting rugby. We’re playing with good game management at the moment and it’s something we need to continue growing, making sure that when we have the ball, we hold it for more phases.”
Having enjoyed the bye last week, the players can come back in one of two ways, with showing rustiness or returning energised. Fortunately as Louw confirms, it’s the latter.
“Everyone has come back feeling fresh, we all got away, had a change of scenery and it brings a positive mindset coming back.”
Turning his focus to this Saturday’s opponents, he feels everything is on track for the Highlanders.
“We’ve watched some clips of them, mentally we’re well-prepared to face them this week and as the match gets closer, so we’ll be even better prepared for this game.”
Playing a New Zealand team, having played well against two others already brings a certain confidence to the team, not because of any perceived weaknesses, but because the challenge seems to lift the players.
“Playing a New Zealand side is always a big step up, they will know that we’ve performed against other New Zealand sides this season and that we played well against them. We’re expecting a very tough game.”
“I don’t think there is necessarily a target on our back,” he explains. “The New Zealand teams respect all opposition and that’s what makes them such good sides. But we know we need to step up and man up.”
Looking at the log, the Highlanders jumped into fifth place overall following their 29-28 defeat of the Bulls at Loftus over the weekend, with just two points separating teams two through five in the South African Conference (the Lions are currently in first place, 11 points ahead of the second placed Jaguares who have won their last three matches in Australasia).
“No-one really likes an ugly win, but we will take a win any way we can get it, the log is congested and we know that it’s become pressured now between the teams in our conference.”
Saturday’s game will be won on accuracy, discipline and determination, but, as he explains, it’s also about making sure when we have possession, we close out those opportunities.
“It’s about game management, we’ve controlled that well in the past, we know they are a deadly side on the counter, which is something we’ve taken note of and we’ll focus hard on keeping our hands on the ball and not letting them pick up scraps and punishing us with them.
“Then on defence, we’ll have to make sure of our one-on-one hits.”
The post Back in Action appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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