 |
“It’s really starting for us this week,” explained coach John Plumtree after Tuesday morning’s training session. “The trials were really about looking at one or two combinations and seeing where the boys are at, at the moment. This week will see an increase in intensity.”
Looking back on the internal trials game on Friday night, he explained that, “It wasn’t a bad hit-out for us, it’s obviously important that the players get that contact in. We’ve had a pretty long pre-season and the boys are fit, so we’ll back off that training a little bit and focus on the technical side of the game, give them some rest and look out for the game on Friday night.”
He said it was difficult to be hugely impressed with any player combinations following the game because, “It’s still early days and it’s hard to get any flow in our games with the way the breakdown is policed at the moment until the boys get used to it. The referees are putting a bigger emphasis on the attacking arrivals and obviously watching the defending arrivals as well, so there is a lot for the referee to look out for at the breakdown, and I guess more importantly, a lot for the players to get right at the breakdown before we’re going to see any flow in the game.
“That’s something we’re working really hard on right now and we still have the heat, humidity and wet ball to contend with now.
“So there were one or two players who stood out at the trials but nothing outstanding yet. It’s still early days and the players haven’t played for nearly four months. It will take time.”
Friday night’s warm-up match against Boland at Mr Price KINGS PARK (7pm kick-off, tickets R20 for adults and R10 for the scholar benches, and free for those bringing their season tickets) offers the players the opportunity of getting more game time under their belt – conditioning fitness and match fitness are not the same thing.
“I’m sure the players will get excited about playing someone that isn’t in your team. That’s the problem with trials, you’re playing against your mates, but it was a good hit-out and now we’re looking forward to Friday.
“I’m hoping we’ll see a good game against Boland this week so that we can improve on the areas we need to. This week we go into match mode in terms of our preparations as we get closer to the real thing.”
Boland won the Absa Currie Cup First Division last year and will look forward to a rare match against The Sharks in Durban.
“They haven’t played here for a couple of years so they’ll look forward to coming here,” said The Sharks coach. “I think they’ll come here with lots of energy.
“Eugene Eloff has done a good job down there and they won a trophy last year and I’m sure they’re keen to put on a good show against a Super Rugby side. They have an opportunity against us and I’m sure they will enjoy it.”
