Sharks braced for big battle
Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold was under no illusions ahead of the opening game of the Super Rugby campaign against the Kings.
|||Durban - Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold was under no illusions this week ahead of the opening game of the Super Rugby campaign against the Kings. Despite the off-field problems boiling over in Nelson Mandela Bay, the Sharks are bracing themselves for a rough afternoon to kick off their season.
“We will have to weather a storm, no doubt,” said Gold before his side left Durban.
“The Kings are a very well-coached side, and they do have a lot of experience in their ranks. We expect it to be close to a full house, and it will be noisy, so we will definitely have to get through that.”
The off-field shenanigans of Eastern Province rugby have caught the front pages, and many players are still waiting for payment of salaries. Contracts haven’t been honoured, and the region’s clubs are vehemently against one of the game’s most polarising figures in Cheeky Watson.
There are many reasons, then, why the Kings may arrive undercooked, but Gold said he was expecting the complete opposite. Experience has taught him that there is a lot more to fear in the face of an enemy that is wounded, and few are as bruised as the men from Port Elizabeth.
“In many ways it’s probably the worst time to play them,” he said.
“It would have been nice to get them midway through the season, having seen how they were going about things. But we have got them now, when they have a full squad and are very motivated.”
It certainly will be an early test for Gold’s much-changed unit, especially in an atmosphere that is known to turn particularly vocal if they smell weakness.
For the rugby community of Port Elizabeth, having the Kings back in the big time is a source of relief and pride, even as they look to get their administrative shack in order.
Although they may appear to be divided, they will paint the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium an ominous black this afternoon, and woe betide the Sharks if they are timid or tentative in the early exchanges.
Central to the Sharks’ fortunes this afternoon will be new skipper Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, who seems to have been inspired by his new responsibilities.
“It is a huge honour for me, having played for the Sharks for so long,” said Mtawarira.
“I’m also very lucky to have so many good men around me, helping me. Odwa (Ndungane) is obviously very experienced, and Pat (Lambie) has also been a massive help. Even though he is injured at the moment, he has been down to a few practices to chat and offer support, which has been great for me.”
The Sharks will need the Beast of old to lead from the front, even if he does so without his blood brothers, the Du Plessis duo. For most of his Sharks career he has had the support of the bulldozing Bismarck and the abrasive Jannie.
“To be honest, when we first came back into camp I did feel a little lonely, because I have played with those guys for so long. They are missed, because of what they brought to the field, but also their experience. But the last few months have been great, and I have really got to gel with the team. I’m very excited (for Saturday).”
Whenever a new campaign starts there is always intrigue, especially in the early weeks as teams try to find their feet, and get players up off the sick bed. The Sharks endured a miserable time of it last year, but Gold is already feeling a lot more positive about this campaign.
Pre-season was good, and their mini-tour of France even more so for confidence. But those tiddlywinks have been cast aside now, because they will find something far more confrontational than the French this afternoon.
The most dangerous opponents are often those with precious little to lose. The Kings, some out of pocket and their fans out of patience, will tear into every ruck with raw emotion, and look to bring in their home-ground advantage.
For the Sharks, the key is to nullify that fire early, impose their greater depth in quality, and then bring in their danger men from out wide. But, first, before they spread their wings, they will have to weather a formidable storm.
It may be the first step of a marathon season, but how they fare this afternoon will say much about the intensity of the fire that burns in the Sharks’ chests this year.
Independent on Saturday