DURBAN - The Sharks had only themselves to blame for losing to the Reds in Brisbane on Friday, falling to a 28-26 defeat after having led the match until the 72nd minute.
This week they play the Brumbies in Canberra and rugby writer Mike Greenaway has looked at what they can do better to give them a good shot at winning in the Australian capital.
Sort out the discipline
Before leaving for Brisbane, captain Patrick Lambie said that his team expected plenty of needle from the Reds and that discipline would be “non-negotiable”.
Lambie asked for cool heads yet lock Etienne Oosthuizen has been cited for losing his cool and allegedly committing an act of foul play.
He faces a Sanzaar Judicial hearing today. If he is suspended, the Sharks at least can call on a more than adequate replacement in Stephan Lewies.
They conceded 12 penalties in Brisbane and coach Robert du Preez will want to bring that count down.
Sharks lock Etienne Oosthuizen. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Take the Points
The match at the Suncorp Stadium was an arm wrestle between two rebuilding teams that were eager but unsure of their abilities.
Lambie was striking the ball smoothly and perhaps he should have opted for goal in the final quarter when the Sharks got a flurry of penalties, which they opted to kick for the corner, probably because the Reds had a forward in the bin.
The Reds kept them out. In a close match, take the points that are just about guaranteed when your kicker is on song.
The Sharks lost by two points in the end but could have nailed the result if they had banked the points on offer rather than gamble on the kicks to the corner.
Have a crack at the Brumbies
The Canberra team looked very good in narrowly losing to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
If the Sharks hope to beat them in Canberra, they have to back themselves to attack. They had spoken about a ball-in-hand approach in pre-season but were too cautious against the Reds.
The Sharks have talent to burn in their backline and the forwards must take responsibility to establish momentum to allow Lambie the opportunity to give the backs a crack at the Brumbies.
Bring Curwin Bosch into the game
The SA Under-20 star is one of the most elusive runners in the South African game yet hardly touched the ball on attack.
It is true that he is not imposing on defence, an element of his game he has to work on, but he is a superstar in the making and needs to be brought into the attack more often. Sadly, his replacement at Suncorp Stadium, Clement Poitrenaud, had an underwhelming debut, knocking the ball on with his first touch in a Sharks jersey and then passing forward into touch with his next involvement.