Sharks must covet consistency
13 Mar 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes that the Sharks’ territorial supremacy set the platform for a win over the Lions but a higher degree of execution will be required in the coming clash with the Reds.
I wrote last week that the Sharks would need to minimalise the basic errors that had hampered their momentum in the earlier defeats to the Bulls and Stormers. I said that a more disciplined performance at the breakdown would be required against a Lions side that thrives off turnover ball, as their broken-field runners are capable of making something out of nothing.
The statistics will show that the Sharks were guilty of the same errors in the match against the Lions. The significant difference is that they dominated territory and made more of their scoring opportunities, as the four-try bonus point will confirm.
The Sharks had 58% of the territory against the Stormers, and 59% of the territory against the Lions. They failed to score a try against the Stormers and scored four against the Lions, so it’s obvious that they’ve improved immensely in that department.
The Stormers have one of the best defences in the competition, while the Lions don’t boast the same kind of reputation. Nevertheless, John Mitchell’s charges defended well on Saturday against the Sharks, and so credit again should go to the Sharks for keeping the Lions pinned in their own half for long periods and applying the pressure.
Flyhalf Pat Lambie had his best game of the season, varying his play between kicking and passing. His tactical decision-making was much improved and his line kicking played a big part in the Sharks’ strive for territorial dominance.
While the Sharks should take heart from these improvements, they must realise that handling errors and ill-discipline continue to hold them back. Last Saturday was the most errant of the Sharks’ three performances in 2012, and the bonus-point win shouldn’t overshadow the fact that there is still plenty to sharpen and polish.
The Sharks were guilty of 21 lost possessions against the Bulls and coughed up just as much ball against the Stormers. While they beat the Lions by a comfortable margin, they had as many as 28 lost possessions, notably nine handling errors, five turnovers at the point of contact and three lineouts lost on their own throw.
It’s a record that doesn’t make for good reading, and unless these problems are addressed they will cost the Sharks in future.
The Lions have developed a reputation as an exciting team that plays with a lot of heart, but they are also perpetually undone by their own errors and ill-discipline. So while the Sharks’ first win should be commended, it also needs to be viewed in context, as the Lions’ loose approach often works in the opposition’s favour.
The Sharks’ lineout problems also persisted in this match, and news that Ross Skeate is sidelined with injury won’t help their set-piece aspirations. The Sharks will need to make do with the players they have available for the match against the Reds, and ensure they secure the ball off their own throw.
Ironically, it was from a lineout where the Sharks produced one of their more clinical attacking displays in Saturday’s win over the Lions. Right on full time, Bismarck du Plessis found his jumper and the Sharks pack proceeded to maul their way over the Lions’ tryline.
There was also a beautiful build-up at the end of the first half where the Sharks forwards fired and the backs moved the ball swiftly to wing Lwazi Mvovo for a try. Both of these attacks were launched deep within Lions territory, and both showed what the Sharks are capable of when they get it right at the point of contact.
Coach John Plumtree should be looking for more of the same against a well-drilled Reds team at Kings Park this Saturday.
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19 Comments
13 Mar 2012, 06:08 am
Consistant Dragons
13 Mar 2012, 07:47 am
expect rear end assault…bismarck to throw his toys…
13 Mar 2012, 07:55 am
A nothing article… Exactly what everyone has been saying all along…
13 Mar 2012, 08:42 am
Bismark was muuuuuuuuch better this weekend! Well done. He can play when he thinks.
Whitehead is impressing me more and more
13 Mar 2012, 08:47 am
same old same old every year
consistency is Natal biggest problem
all hype no substance by end of season
13 Mar 2012, 08:56 am
Please, can we have one bloody month without a covet headline.
I don’t think you guys know how to use this word. The book of Exodus may offer a clue, where they mention, amongst others, coveting thy neighbour’s ***.
13 Mar 2012, 09:22 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-6: Or in the Silence of the Lambs where Lector asks Agent Starling what it is that Buffalo Bill does.
No Clarise……..he Covets
Cue creepy music….
13 Mar 2012, 10:12 am
According to http://www.superxv.com/fixtures/
Stormers, Bulls, Crusaders, Reds etc all have two byes,
Sharks have 1…
How the faaark is this fair in such a grooling comp?
or is this a mistake??
13 Mar 2012, 12:23 pm
One thing which concerns me is the Sharks lack of depth of quality locks. We definately need to invest in a Rynhardt Elstadt from Wee Pee now that Etsebeth has burst onto the scene and the former will get less game time.
We cannot carry on with injury prone Skeate, “biggest promise” Hargreaves, I used to be a 8th Man / Flank Deysel and if I look scary I must be Bresler.
13 Mar 2012, 13:10 pm
As long as Dumbtree and his cronies are going to run the coaching – the Sharks are NEVER going to be contenders!!
Seriously…..what moron play’s a world class international wing at center and a French international flyhalf at scrumhalf? Then when the second half comes along……takes off Viljoen (no matter HOW well he’s playing) moves Lambie (the next possible Bok flyhalf candidate) to fullback, brings in a wooden one dimensional rubbish center to flyhalf (Boesman) and replaces the Frog with a dynamic scrumhalf in McCleod who’s starting to reach form again but is refused a spot in the starting line-up?
This is like suggesting to Todd Blackadder that in at the 60 minute mark, take Dagg off the field….move Carter to fullback, bring in Ryan Crotty at flyhalf and move Robbie Freuen to the wing.
The level of player talent in this country is wonderful…..we’re brimming with talent!
Sadly – the level of coaching talent in this country is *****…..and we’re never going to compete as long as we keep employing dumb-***’s for coaches!
13 Mar 2012, 13:54 pm
@Guns(Guns)-8: Sharks have a bye in Round 10 and another bye in round 16 of the Super 15. If you look at week 19 in the chart you’ve got you’ll see their bye in “week 19″…….
13 Mar 2012, 22:17 pm
6@katman…… Exodus by Leon Uris, excellent book
13 Mar 2012, 22:34 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-12: Read it. Brilliant.
The movie was a great one too. Haunting theme.
13 Mar 2012, 23:16 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-12: Movement of Jah people?
14 Mar 2012, 01:21 am
@ShaunSwindon(Karma-zaf)-9:
Marais has everything Eldstadt (who is more another 7 IMO) has except a coach willing to back his youngsters… no Sharks need some real tall, powerful timber that can play an all-round lock game… just like Etzabeth…
Problem is there are none in RSA it seems…
14 Mar 2012, 01:23 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-15:
Skeate would be less injury prone if he wasn’t moonlighting as a Czar nightclub promoter… swop him and that other non top-level rugby entity party-boy Hargreaves both for any of the nation’s next youngsters!
And send Plum-for-brains packing… until then… expect another few places dropped on the log…
14 Mar 2012, 03:33 am
I’m backing the Sharks totip the reds over and to do it easily, The Reds just do not look the goods to me this year, they had a flukey last gasp win over the Tahs in Sydney first up and have struggled against the Force and the Rebels at home in Brisbane.
I strongly do not believe they were the best team in the competition last year and I think they will be found out this year playing all the top teams of 2011 on the road this year bar the Stormers. The Reds didn’t even play the Sharks last year and had some rather bias hometown officiating to get them across the line in their regular season match up with the Crusaders, not to mention an unbelievably sweet draw.
The Reds are soft and will not be match hardened for a brutal encounter with the SA teams and I believe they will be lucky to come away with a bonus point.
Well heres hoping they get pumped by our Bok friends
14 Mar 2012, 05:49 am
@Stormersboy…. Am not surprised, you a clued up cookie with good taste
14 Mar 2012, 05:54 am
@Katman….lol, very sharp.
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