After five gruelling weeks of Vodacom Super Rugby, the Cell C Sharks have won three, drawn one and lost one match to head up the Africa 2 Conference and this weekend enjoy a hard-earned bye.
Super Rugby is arguably one of the toughest competitions in world rugby. It is relentless and hugely physical, asking for much from the participants who play against some of the best club sides in the world.
For the Cell C Sharks, the first block of five matches has included three away games, massive derbies and a clash against the most successful team in the competition, the Crusaders.
Although it has been tough and it’s not going to get any easier, but the break this week affords the players and coaching staff the opportunity to contemplate what has been and what is required in the coming, demanding weeks ahead.
Cell C Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold, reflecting on what the team has accomplished so far, and their development over the last year, gives a solid thumbs’ up.
“I’m incredibly positive,” he admits.
“I think the potential of this team is fantastic and we just need more time in the middle; we’re getting that at the moment.”
He explains that at the beginning of the season, they wanted to change people’s mindsets about the team’s character and believes they have accomplished that.
“I think even the most disappointed Sharks fan can’t criticise our character. I want the players to know that they have a coaching staff that backs them, that rates them and enjoys working with them.
“It’s up to them to bring the character, and they’ve done that.”
While he acknowledged that there have been mistakes, these are things that can be fixed.
“I’m really proud of the players, proud of the progress we’ve made. However, we’re not remotely the finished business, but if we carry on showing the character we’re showing in our performances against teams as lethal as the likes of the Crusaders, we’ll grow in confidence.
“We have some things to fix, we know that, but I’m proud of the way the guys responded to what was a poor year in 2015. We decided we’d go back and rebuild and the guys have really put their hands up.”
The post Taking Stock appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
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