Focusing on the Challenges Ahead – Featured Durban Blog

Although the Cell C Sharks had to depart from Durban with a loss to the Lions, as good travellers and tourists – as they’ve proved over the years – they will put that behind them and look to produce the goods in New Zealand.

Compartmentalising is the mental process of, simply put, stashing incidents and fears in a little box and using them for motivation and learning, but not dwelling on the negatives.  For the Cell C Sharks, touring is an opportunity to put everything behind them and focus on the job at hand.

“The guys are upbeat, although obviously very disappointed after the weekend,” said Director of Rugby Gary Gold from the team’s base ahead of Saturday morning’s 09.35am (SA time) Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Blues.

“A bit of game management against the Lions could have helped us, but at the end of the day, like a win, we can’t linger long after a loss; we have an unbelievably tough challenge ahead of us and all our focus is now on the Blues. What’s in the past is in the past.”

Gold admitted that there is pressure on the team to perform on tour, but that it’s no different from the pressure they’ve been under to perform for the first five games anyway.

“This is an exciting opportunity, we know there are people who have and who will write us off, but we are confident that we tour well and hoping we can really surprise a few people with some improved performances.”

With the February weather behind them, the cooler climate of New Zealand could well be where the Cell C Sharks really show their potential. But cooler weather doesn’t necessarily translate into perfect conditions and

“The heat’s not the issue, it’s the humidity in Durban. And going to New Zealand, there’s a very good chance it’s going to rain. But depending on how you see things, and if you’re an optimist – which we choose to be – then you’ll see us as having had good practice for the conditions.

“From a ball in hand perspective we should find it more comfortable to play without the humidity and slippery ball.”

And coming up against a team that, like the rest of their compatriots, love to attack, Gold is aware of the need to play attacking rugby too.

“It’s well-documented that the pace of the New Zealand teams is around an attacking plan with a very high skill-base, particularly around the off-loading game and using the full length of the field.

“When they do have ball in hand, we need to manage that and when we have possession, it’s for us to make the very best of it. To build the phases and put them under pressure. One thing about the New Zealand teams is that they don’t want to come out and defend, they much prefer being on the attack.”

Gold believes that under Tana Umaga, the former Hurricanes and All Black great, and now Blues coach, that this is Blues team that seem to be more settled than in recent years.

“I think the Blues have turned the corner this season, I thought they played really well against the Chiefs on the weekend and they will be very disappointed not to have won that game.

“They will be a real threat.”