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20 July 2010 (15:13) - While John Plumtree was pleased with the result against the Blue Bulls in Saturday's Absa Currie Cup match, he admits that they will look to consistently improve week after week. However, with the players putting their hands up in this past match, there is little expectation that Plumtree will be making any major changes.

“Right now I'm keen to grow some of the combinations we've put in place,” The Sharks coach admits. “Hopefully we'll see some players getting more time off the bench and we have Willem Alberts returning from injury. With Charl McLeod, Steve Meyer (pictured) and Pat Lambie in that 9, 10, 12 combination, it's important that they keep growing.”

He has also confirmed that form is the only selection criterion at present. “There is competition for places in this side and if a player lets himself down, he will be replaced. But in saying that, I am quite keen to have some continuity.

He adds that he was very satisfied with the form shown by Louis Ludik, JP Pietersen and Lwazi Mvovo. “The back three took their opportunities and it is only fair that they are rewarded. I also thought that Charl McLeod was excellent on the weekend. His speed is one of his strengths and it's important that he goes out there and plays his natural game. Scrumhalf has become such a crucial role in terms of speed of delivery and speed in clearing the ball and I thought he really took his opportunities which was good.”

Looking back to areas Plumtree would like to see tightened up, he explains that, “The set-piece is an area that is very important and we've turned a couple of line-outs over which is a bit of a concern for me. We know we have a good lineout, it's just a case of making sure everyone performs their role.

“From the way the pack is playing in phase play, I've challenged them to work harder, so that each individual in the pack contributes positively. I want to make sure everyone understands what the expectations are of them. I want to see everyone being able to contribute with the ball and work hard off the ball to get themselves into good positions and run the right lines; to know where they need to be to contribute to the next phase of play.

“A lot of that type of play is about having good anticipation of what possibly happens next. For some players that type of thing comes naturally, but others need to work a lot harder. That's the bit I'm focused on. On review, we can see where players relocate to, if you can get them to make good decisions, that gives play-makers so many more options. The game is favouring attack because of the law at the breakdown, the challenge is how to stress the defenses even more. Not only with speedier ball, but maximising that quick ball on attack so that there are options when the ball comes out quickly.”

He points out that his vision of the game is based on keeping the ball and not kicking it away. “Depending on how good the opposition defense is, you might have to do some kicking, but you might not see the ball again for 8 or 10 phases if you kick it away. Having the courage to attack is important.”