Lack of experience a factor

COACH John Plumtree believes the Sharks’ lack of experience and composure on attack are some of the leading factors contributing to the team’s try-scoring woes.

The Durban side have scored just 13 tries in eight matches (10 of which came in their whitewash of the Melbourne Rebels), while in five games they have been unable to cross the tryline.

Despite the difficult wet weather conditions on Saturday night, the Sharks created tryscoring opportunities – particularly in the second half – but the Cheetahs’ resolute defence as well as poor option-taking cost Plumtree’s side a vital victory on the eve of their overseas tour.

“We wanted to be positive and ambitious,” the exasperated coach said after the match.

“I felt we really played all the rugby on the night, certainly more than the Cheetahs did, but we didn’t display enough composure when it came to our option-taking. We turned ball over in contact and the Cheetahs exposed us.”

Gilt-edged

The Sharks had one last giltedged opportunity to snatch the result, but Cobus Reinach failed to spot an overlap out wide, with the young scrumhalf taking the ball into contact, where it was subsequently turned over.

“I think we suffered from a lack of experience at times,” Plumtree said.

“We went left when we should have gone right or gone right when we should have gone left. You need composure, and at times with the youngsters we just didn’t have that.

“A lot of players in our team are still very young and they will learn from this.

“There is no one person to blame and I was actually pretty proud of the effort put in.

“Our accuracy just wasn’t good enough.”

Meanwhile, Sapa reports that Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has admitted his side are in a good position to challenge for South African Super Rugby honours for the first time in their history.

“I thought if we wanted to compete in the conference and end first, then winning here will be crucial,” Drotske said after the win, only the third for the Cheetahs on the east coast.

“It was said before the last two weeks we needed to win one of the two, either against the Bulls in Pretoria or here in Durban and it happened.

“So it’s a good position to be in, but there’s still a long way to go.”

The men from Bloemfontein, who have now won six of their last seven matches, have never qualified for the Super Rugby play-offs, with their best position coming in 1997 when they finished seventh in a 12-team format.

“I guess when you start winning it becomes a habit.”