Team Release: Brothers in Arms:
Two sets of brothers will run out for the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Saturday’s second Vodacom United Rugby Championship game on the road when they meet Dragons RFC in Newport, Wales.
Fresh off his Rugby Championship exploits for the title-winning Springboks, Jaden Hendrikse comes into the starting line-up, joining brother and fullback Jordan, with the Tshituka brothers, captain Vincent and Emmanuel both playing in the back row.
Jaden Hendrikse, in for Bradley Davids at scrumhalf, is the only change made by head coach John Plumtree to the starting XV, with Phepsi Buthelezi and Francois Venter returning to the side, both named on the bench.
With a 100% success record against the Dragons in the three VURC campaigns to date, the Hollywoodbets Sharks have history behind them. But, according to forwards coach Warren Whiteley, they take no expectation into this game based on past results.
“We have high standards for ourselves and regardless of who we play, we put that pressure on ourselves to perform. We were disappointed in our second half performance against Connacht, but what’s great about this competition is that we have another opportunity this week.
“The Dragons gave Leinster a good go last week and beat Ospreys in the first round, so they’re a quality side, particularly at home, and they’ll be determined to get a victory there, so we know what we’re up against.
“But we’re focusing on bettering our game, on improving the execution of our game model.”
Fortunately for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, this is more of a settled week after a short trip from Ireland into Wales as they prep for Saturday’s clash.
“We’ve had our first full week in quite a long time to prepare for this game, and that’s lekker because we’re nice and settled,” said Whiteley.
“What’s important for us is that we’ve taken lessons out of last week’s game and we really have to look forward to the challenge that the Dragons will bring to this match.”
He added that a crucial phase of the game is the early stages when the result can often be set up and this is a focal point for the team.
“They have some quality players and strengths in certain areas and we know how important a good start is. For us, it’s about being more accurate in the first 20 minutes and applying pressure, or transferring pressure if needs be, and then keeping ball in hand in the right areas to put points on the board.
“It’s a good challenge and it’s great to tour early in the season, you feel connected as a group.”
Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Ntuthuko Mchunu
- Dylan Richardson
- Ruan Dreyer
- Jason Jenkins
- Gerbrandt Grobler
- James Venter
- Vincent Tshituka (c)
- Manu Tshituka
- Jaden Hendrikse
- Siya Masuku
- Ethan Hooker
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Jurenzo Julius
- Eduan Keyter
- Jordan Hendrikse
Replacements
- Fez Mbatha
- Trevor Nyakane
- Hanro Jacobs
- Corne Rahl
- Phepsi Buthelezi
- Cameron Wright
- Lionel Cronje
- Francois Venter
Players not considered for selection due to injury:
Braam Reyneke
Diego Appollis
Emile van Heerden
IG Prinsloo
Khwezi Mona
Marnus Potgieter
Siya Ningiza
Thomas Dyer
Yaw Penxe
The post Team Release: Brothers in Arms appeared first on The Sharks Durban.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks had a gruelling build-up to their Vodacom United Rugby Championship game against Connacht on Saturday but refuse to lay the blame for their loss on travel and a busy match schedule.
Speaking from Wales where the team is now based ahead of their second tour match, against Dragons on Saturday, Hollywoodbets Sharks captain Vincent Tshituka admitted as much.
His team blew Connacht away in the first half, but a strong fightback from the Irish side saw them finish strongly.
“It was a disappointing second half from our side, there were quite a few factors that went into that, but nothing we tried to pay too much attention to,” Tshituka said of the fact that they had played two Carling Currie Cup knock-out games and then undertaking long haul travel to Galway.
“We know what we are expected to deliver in those games. Connacht stepped it up in the second half and we just didn’t match that and they got the better of us.”
Commenting on the 5G pitch which is no longer alien to the South African sides, but still presents its own set of challenges given that they may only play on those artificial surfaces once or twice a year, again, there were no excuses.
“It does play differently, but fortunately we were able to do some training on similar pitches during the week,” he said.
“We don’t want to blame it too much on external factors, it’s a lot more on us and something we’ve worked on going into this week’s game against the Dragons.”
The Welsh side have never beaten the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the URC in the three matches played to date. In the two clashes at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, the Durban side prevailed 51-3 and 69-14, although the last time they met at Rodney Parade, the Dragons lost by just one point.
Taking lessons out of a loss is always an important way to grow and learn as a team and Tshituka admitted that they have identified where things can improve for Saturday’s game.
“Reviewing the past weekend, they targeted us quite heavily at the breakdown and going into this weekend, that’s a big focus point for us. We also feel we can assert ourselves a bit more with our maul as a pack of forwards, also with our maul defence. That’s also been a big work on this week.
“We’re raring to go and to take our opportunities.”
Head coach John Plumtree recently handed Tshituka the captaincy role and he has grasped the opportunity with both hands.
“It’s been really good but challenging as well because I like to believe I’m a leader through actions rather than words. But it’s challenging me in the best way, I feel I’m growing every week, I’m learning how to navigate this role with the players and the coaches and how to cater to the team’s needs as a leader.
“It’s definitely something where I feel I’m growing every weekend and I’m enjoying the journey.”
The post No Excuses appeared first on The Sharks Durban.
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