Although the result of tonight’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton at Hollywoodbets Kings Park is important, it comes at a time when the team is chasing at least a top seven finish.
Speaking ahead of the game, Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell admitted just how vital the game is and how the team has prepared.
With a short turnaround from the team’s return from Toulouse and straight into a Friday night game, there hasn’t been as much time to train and prepare for this important match and the value placed on getting everyone in the right frame of mind has been a priority.
“It’s a case of making sure we have energy, at home,” Powell explained. “It has been tough, we haven’t had a lot of time to do our prep, so it’s more about the mental rather than the physical side of things, so a lot of our preparation has been done off the field.
“The guys know there will only be limited opportunities before we get on the field and we’ve tried to use that time wisely. It’s basically about having a strong mind and understanding that it’s about the mental side, about generating as much energy in preparation this week so that we can get the guys really looking forward to playing.”
As the tournament pool stages head to their conclusion with two rounds remaining, Powell emphasised the need to put in winning performances in both games, against Benetton this week and Munster next.
“We’re in a must-win situation over the next two weeks and looking at where Benetton sit on the log, this is a crucial game for them as well to remain in the run for the play-offs. We have no illusions that they will come here and throw everything they have at us.
“They have their Italian internationals back, they’re playing a good brand of rugby and beating Cardiff last week was a good result for them. We understand how important this game is for them, and it’s the same for us. We’re sitting in eighth spot and can finish anywhere from fifth to eighth if we win the next two games.
”The guys are really keen to be successful over the next two weeks to get ourselves a proper opportunity to firstly get into the knockouts of the URC as well as qualification for the Heineken Champions Cup next year. To do that, we will have to finish in the top seven.”
Providing an update on the injury to Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Powell confirmed that it wasn’t too serious. “He sustained a concussion and we will see how he is after the mandatory 12 day rest and recovery period and if he gets through that nicely, he will be available again for the Munster game.”
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