Everitt chuffed with his rookies
HUNGER: EXPECTS THEM TO GROW THROUGH THE SERIES
Sharks head coach Sean Everitt was cock-a-hoop about his spring chickens, who produced the goods against a plucky Griquas side in Durban on Sunday.
Everitt notably rested the majority of his regular starters that took them to the Currie Cup final, including overhauling the front row as well as giving Murray Koster his debut start and Khuthuzani Mchunu his first senior appearance off the bench.
Although he has played a chunk of minutes, former SA Under-20 star JJ van der Mescht became the focal point of their ball-carrying, a role the 21-yearold will assume some more as he grows.
“I’m very happy for the youngsters,” said Everitt after the 35-10 victory.
“They only had two full days’ preparation and I thought the intent to play with ball in hand was there.
“The weather allowed it and that’s the route we wanted to go. But we did turn over a lot of ball, and if we were playing better teams they would have punished us.
“But I was very happy with the positivity shown and the energy after being on a three-week break.
“Ntuthuko Mchunu is a convert [from eighthman] and it was his first senior game at prop.
“He came on and won us a scrum penalty, so I thought he was outstanding in the energy that he displayed, not only in the scrum but in the ball-carries and defence.
“There was also a good performance from Murray Koster, who made his debut and young Thaakir Abrahams, who came on and scored a nice try.”
Everitt expects the youngsters to grow through the preparation matches, but acknowledged that the fight for playing minutes will be fierce when the regulars return.
“On the whole we are happy and this team will grow. We know if a team stays together for a period of time they will only get better.” –