The Hollywoodbets Sharks 22-10 Vodacom United Rugby Championship victory over Ulster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday was an enormously satisfying outcome for the team.
Speaking after the match, Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree admitted that, “I’m really happy for the players, there’s been some pretty frustrating times for a lot of people here, so we’ll come to work on Monday with a few work-ons rather than having to pick the team up emotionally.”
The coach acknowledged the role of the returning Springboks in inspiring the team and how that motivated the young bucks to really put their hands up.
“That’s what those big players do, there’s a knock-on effect, they lift the team around them,” he pointed out. “All of a sudden we saw aspects in our game we haven’t had, our scrum was better, our mauling too.
“We did fluff some chances though, we got into nice places and didn’t finish them off, so we’re not completely accurate in that space and that’s something for us to work on.
“I’ve encouraged the leaders to really step up and own the team and bring the others along with them, so I was really happy that they did that. A lot of hard work has been done, particularly around the pack, to make them a lot better.”
For now, it’s a case of this team playing together, building momentum off this springboard as they launch into the latter half of the 2023/24 season.
“This match and the one against Edinburgh are building up towards the EPCR games, to grow the cohesion we need. That front row we ended with will probably be starting.”
Looking at individual contributions, Plumtree added, “Eben had a good 55 minutes after a fairly long layoff but it was disappointing to lose George Cronje so early in the game, he’s been going well. It looked like an MCL [knee ligament] injury which could be season-ending for him.
“I was also really happy with Ethan Hooker, I thought he played really well. That looks like the arrival of a good young player on the big stage which is great. I thought Eduan Keyter also looked good. It was good to see them shine, mixing up with the experience in the backline.”
With plenty of positives to look back on, Plumtree highlighted one area that really stood out for him as a major contributor to the team’s success on the day.
“It was good to see us able to build pressure through our set-piece. That’s been a missing ingredient for us. If you look at the Stormers and Bulls, they can all play rugby, but their big threats are what they can do upfront. They can build or relieve pressure through their set-piece and that’s the difference.
“We’ve struggled in that department, so if we want to win a game of rugby without our big boys upfront, we have to play a different style of game. But when you have your big boys, you don’t have to play that well to get a try because you get a scrum penalty, two drives and you score a try. It’s not much rugby, but it’s seven points and that’s something we haven’t had.
“So it was good to see that in this match, what we can do when we have the right personnel. And when we gel and get more cohesive, we’ll be even better.”
An important period of rugby has arrived and Plumtree acknowledged the boost this victory provides.
“This win gives us a lot of confidence. We’ve targeted four games: this one, another next week and then the EPCR game against Zebre that we want to do really well in to get a home quarter-final.
“This one is done, we know we have a tough one against Edinburgh coming up and then we can look forward to those EPCR matches coming up.”
The post Pleasing Outcome appeared first on The Sharks Durban.
MATCH REPORT: A Magnificent Effort:
Sometimes wins are easy, sometimes not, but victory is all about maximum effort, determination and character and of these qualities, there can be no denying that the Hollywoodbets Sharks were full value for their 22-12 Vodacom United Rugby Championship victory over Ulster on Saturday afternoon.
Perfect conditions greeted the two sides at Hollywoodbets Kings Park with a gusty wind adding to the challenge for kickers and receivers while a warm, late summer day would have been unseasonal for the visiting Irish, used to near zero temperatures back home.
It was an energetic and physical start for the Hollywoodbets Sharks although sadly they were to lose the services of eighthman George Cronje in the opening two minutes to a knee injury. But they ended the game as they started, with full energy and incredible effort.
The opening quarter was dominated by the Hollywoodbets Sharks who enjoyed the majority of attacking play, putting together some exciting and determined efforts, but Ulster brought a strong defensive effort that countered every foray the Durban side launched.
It was the Irish who struck first, the game approaching the second quarter and a strong maul and then sustained phase play close to the line resulted in a try under the posts for a simple conversion and a 7-0 lead.
With their confidence boosted, it looked like they might score again as the game headed for the half hour, but a loose ball was hacked ahead by Aphelele Fassi and then the chase was on. The ball was kicked ahead again and Phepsi Buthelezi showed his athletic prowess having made the run from his half and getting in the right place to pick up the bobbling ball and score his team’s opening try, with Siya Masuku converting to level matters.
Momentum had changed again and the Hollywoodbets Sharks kept up the pressure for the next 10 minutes, gaining ground and confidence as they game came together, their scrum dominating, the maul effective and the collisions mammoth.
Ulster did well to defend against immense pressure from the home side in the dying moments of the half, having to save their line and somehow managing to see out the close out the half with their tryline intact.
At seven points apiece at the half-time break, it had been a half of rugby that offered every element the fans hope for and promised even more in the second half.
Ulster lost their flyhalf inside the opening two minutes to deliver a similar blow to the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the first half, and were immediately under the pump from a fired-up home team who clearly came out of the changerooms with a plan and the determination to fulfil it.
Six minutes in, the Hollywoodbets Sharks scored their second try, Eduan Keyter chasing a Makazole Mapimpi grubber after Vincent Tshituka had broken through the defence and the ball was sent wide. The TMO was called on to confirm the try and he was happy with the end result. Masuku converted for a 14-7 lead.
14 minutes into the second half, the Irish were being smashed as they tried valiantly to defend their line before they conceded a penalty that Masuku converted to push his side into a 10 point lead. It also marked the entry of Ox Nche and Vincent Koch making his Hollywoodbets Sharks debut.
Ulster scored their second try, a forward effort of pick and drives until they managed to get over. The TMO was called on to adjudicate once again, and once more gave an affirmative call. The conversion went wide and the Irish trailed 17-12 with the final quarter left to play.
Ulster were completely under the pump and conceded a yellow card for a head high tackle in their 22 as they faced an onslaught from the Hollywoodbets Sharks they they were finding harder and harder to stop legally.
From the resultant penalty kicked to touch, Bongi Mbonambi took the ball at the back of the maul, his fellow forwards built the foundation and with backs climbing in to build momentum in the drive, the third try was scored for a 22-10 lead with 13 minutes remaining.
The game ended in a helter-skelter pace, neither side letting up.
Ethan Hooker was a worthy Man of the Match but it was a victory built off a team effort that every player deserves accolades for.
The post MATCH REPORT: A Magnificent Effort appeared first on The Sharks Durban.
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