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| Coach John Plumtree. Image © sharksrugby.co.za |
“I think it’s just the nature of expectations, and that’s fine really. We’ll work really hard in this match and look to got those areas right and if things don’t go our way then that’s also fine, people can’t write us off. This time last year everyone was talking about us, so maybe this time around they won’t be talking about us which will be great.”
Already there have been upsets in the preseason warm-up games, but reading too much into the outcomes of the games at this stage is not going to be a yardstick with which to judge tournament form before the Vodacom Super 14 has got into its stride.
“From a tactical point of view our set piece didn’t operate - on defence or attack - so we were under pressure pretty much from the start,” explains Plumtree of the first of four facets that have been identified following Tuesday night’s match.
“On their ball, the Western Force were able to get across the advantage line and from then on we were under pressure in terms of making a lot of tackles. When we turned it around, they caught us on the gain line and we couldn’t get our game going so we also lacked intensity in the collisions - at the tackle and breakdown. I was happy with the scrummaging, although we got a little bit tired at the end. Our lineouts didn’t really function either, we lost nine.
“So that was the crunch in the game really, having different combinations and being our first hit-out, it wasn’t easy, it wasn’t an easy day.”
However, having identified the areas of concern, Plumtree’s charges will look to fix them against the Stormers tonight.
“We’ve had a good analysis session and the boys have sorted a few things out. We’ve changed the starting team for the Stormers and there are four points that we want out of the game tonight that we didn’t get out of the Force game, if we can get those four points right, we’ll be in better shape.”
With both teams having named fairly strong sides, a competitive game is expected, although an element of cohesiveness may not be there just yet warns Plumtree. “Again, the selection is a mix and match, we want to try different combinations and this is the time to do it. If the Stormers have settled on their starting 15 then that’s good, but I haven’t.
“I’m keen to see what our new arrivals bring to the party and to try out different combinations. This is the best time of the year to do it. Winning is secondary. I want to win against the Chiefs.
“In saying that, I don’t want people to get the wrong impression; we want results every time we play a game of rugby, but it’s important to find out how these combinations work, how individuals in their positions are playing, so everyone who didn’t get a start against the Force is starting against the Stormers.”
