Preview: The Cell C Sharks vs Chiefs – Featured Durban Blog

The Cell C Sharks take on the table-topping Chiefs at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth on Friday morning (9.35am SA time) in their final Vodacom Super Rugby tour match of New Zealand, looking to depart on a high.

The Chiefs have been a dominant team in recent years and this year are looking like the team to beat. A good challenge for the Cell C Sharks, but a particularly difficult one. However, for a team who defeated the Highlanders – the 2015 champions – last week, this is a challenge they accept.

“With the form the Chiefs are currently showing, there’s no shortage of respect from us,” admits Director of Rugby Gold. “We know that if we make mistakes at crucial times, they’re a team that will definitely hurt us.

“But we know that when you do look after the ball and build pressure, there are opportunities that will arise. And against New Zealand teams, you want to hold on to the ball and build pressure.”

The Cell C Sharks know that against the Blues, they were never out of the game and it was one they could have tasted victory, which they did last week against the Highlanders, and that win was a boost for them.

“The guys are feeling good, we’re working hard on fixing the things that we feel we aren’t good enough with yet. We’re the first to admit that we’re not the finished product but we are looking to continue to improve and build our confidence. And winning does help with confidence.”

There has been much talk of the Cell C Sharks’ defence, as well as their desire to grow their attacking game, and Gold believes that they are enjoying development in this facet of play, something they know will be crucial against the Chiefs.

“We want ball in hand, we don’t want to be defending too much. We got through some pretty good phases [against the Highlanders] and some very good passages of play leading to a few penalties. With this, the confidence grows because we feel we can play with more ball in hand. So it’s all about getting the balance right between our defence and attack.”

Scrumhalf Michael Claassens, who takes over from the injured Cobus Reinach, warns that they will have their work cut out for them, but suggests, on the flip-side, there are always opportunities which they will look to exploit, should they arise.

“The Chiefs are showing great form at the moment, especially on attack and they’re willing to have a go from anywhere on the field. You have to expect anything and everything from them and that makes them very dangerous.”

Together with the Stormers, the Cell C Sharks have conceded the fewest number of tries in the competition (13 in eight games) and offensive defence can force turnovers and opportunities to counter.

“We’ve spoken about that,” he explains. “Defence has been a strong factor for us this season, and they’re quite loose, so if we can force turnovers, we’ll create the opportunity to turn defence into attack.”

It’s their last match of tour and certainly eyes are not on Durban as they look to finish the tour on a high.  And what better opportunity to prove themselves?

“With the opportunity to play the best side in New Zealand, everyone gets up for the game. We’re very excited about the challenge.”