Andrews’ tip to fix the Sharks

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 01: Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders attempts to bust the Sharks defence during the round 12 Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Sharks at Forsyth Barr Stadium on May 1, 2015 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 01: Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders attempts to bust the Sharks defence during the round 12 Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Sharks at Forsyth Barr Stadium on May 1, 2015 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)

Published May 4, 2015

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There are plenty of Sharks supporters hurting out there, and many include former players who have been through this exact scenario of a losing sequence with their team.

Among them is one of the greatest Sharks of all, Mark Andrews, who captained the side (until injured) when they came last in 2000.

He also captained the team the next year when they made it to the Super 12 final, against the Brumbies in Canberra in 2001.

Among the newcomers were the likes of John Smit, Butch James and Craig Davidson.

From last in 2000 to finalists in 2001. What changed?

“The unfortunate thing that can happen when a team starts losing is that players start playing for themselves.

“They have their pride to think of, and that is when the downward spiral of the team continues,” Andrews said of a Sharks team that has now lost four in a row and sunk to the bottom of the SA Conference, which they had been expected to win.

“The big danger when a team starts losing is that players start confusing the issue of playing for pride with their individual reputations and that of the team,” said Andrews, a proud Shark and Springbok who admits he has been watching recent games with white knuckles.

“Gary Gold (the unfortunate coach) has to get the players to understand that now that the competition is gone (in terms of making the play-offs), players have to sacrifice their personal ambitions and play for each other,” Andrew said.

“There is a massive difference between playing individually to impress now that the team is in trouble, and playing for each other,” Andrews said.

“Gold has got to get the team ethos going or the losing streak will continue.

“Most players have been there, losing streaks happen, but the minute you start thinking about what you can salvage for yourself in a losing cause, that is when the ship sinks further.”

What would Andrews do if he was with the Sharks right now, punch-drunk after losing 48-15 to the Highlanders and facing the table-topping Hurricanes in Wellington next?

“You have to get together as a team and say: ‘Who cares what the results have been, from now on, every team we play must know that they must hurt for every point they get. We, as a team, are going to make them suffer. We are the Sharks, and nobody gets a point against us without sweating blood.’” - The Mercury

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