It’s been an interesting start to Vodacom Super Rugby, and following on from our win over the Brumbies on Saturday, the Cell C Sharks will be looking to take that momentum into this weekend’s clash with the Waratahs.
Week one’s narrow loss to the Reds helped to identify small issues, which were fixed for the Brumbies game, and along with what they got right in their play, they now take confidence into the round three clash.
“From the perspective of going into a game where we trained so hard and worked so hard to get the result, and not getting it against the Reds, knowing that we left so much on the field, then getting the win against the Brumbies, that was something really special,” prop Coenie Oosthuizen reflects.
“Every guy out there truly felt it. The win really generated a lot of belief. Going into the game against the Waratahs, we need to build on that momentum because Vodacom Super Rugby is a long tournament and it’s a huge competition. We need every player to be at his best, not only physically, but also mentally.”
Although they will have played three Australian teams on the trot, the benefit is understanding the opposition better each week.
“The Australian teams want to play the same brand of rugby. What the Reds did in the first game was to attack our breakdown which meant we couldn’t get quick ball and this led to a situation where we couldn’t attack. We corrected those mistakes in the Brumbies game and will look to make sure we continue that this weekend.
“We have a mindset to play an attacking brand of rugby, and the belief that we had last week really amazed us.”
Pat Lambie’s belief in the pack led to him kicking to the corner a number of times to opt for the attacking lineout, rather than going for the three points. And while he had confidence in his forwards, they too throw their complete support behind him.
“We have an experienced captain, one of the best in my mind, and when he makes a decision, we back it 100%,” Oosthuizen explains.
“One of his strongest attributes is that he is clear headed and very calm. He truly knows what to do at the right time of the game, he’s something really special. He gives everything every game and we support him.”
He is expecting a backlash from the Waratahs after their loss to the Lions, but given our team’s result last week, there’s no way we will be slacking off, but rather looking to continue the great form shown against the Brumbies.
“Vodacom Super Rugby is an unbelievable competition and rugby is an amazing game. You can be on top one weekend and hit rock bottom the next. But there is always another weekend, and they have that this weekend, an opportunity to correct their mistakes. And we, as a team, see that as a challenge. We know what to expect. The Waratahs weren’t up to their own standards, they are one of the best teams in Australia and we know that. We are ready for the challenge, we know they will come out fighting, they will give it their all.
“But we’re at home at Growthpoint KINGS PARK and playing in front of our home crowd; what more could we ask for?”
This match holds all kinds of promise for the spectator. The Waratahs will be looking to bounce back, while our boys will be looking to build on last week’s fantastic result against the Brumbies.
“It’s going to be a great game, the fans, the atmosphere – you can’t ask for anything more!”
The post Building and Growing appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
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