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Christo Buchner
Johannesburg – Sharks coach John Plumtree is unfazed about 11 of his players having to spend this coming weekend at a Springbok training camp.
He reacted on Monday to the news that his preparation for Saturday’s Currie Cup final against Western Province could be disrupted by the training camp in Johannesburg.
“I’m not too concerned about it. It’s something that was decided beforehand to which we have to adapt now. My plan was to allow the players to rest for the first few days of this week and for us to get back together on Thursday and Friday. We will now do that without the players at the training camp,” said Plumtree.
“I don’t have a problem with my guys going to the Bok camp, but don’t want them to do a lot of physical preparation there. Therefore we will check on what they will be doing.”
South African Rugby Union (SARU) spokesperson Andy Colquhoun gave the assurance that the players would not be involved in physical training sessions.
“There will be discussions about game plans and the logistical planning for the tour will be done,” he said.
The Sharks have eleven players in the training squad, while WP have seven.
Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo and Willem Alberts are part of the national set-up for the first time.
As far as his preparation for the final is concerned, Plumtree said that nothing would change.
“We will do the same things that brought us success during the course of the season. It serves no purpose to try and be clever just because it’s a final and brainstorm new ideas. Stick to the recipe that is working,” he said.
“I believe it’s two good teams in the final, but you have to admit that they (WP) have all the stars. There is always a danger against teams like that of feeling that you can’t beat them. That is why it was important from a psychological perspective that we beat the Blue Bulls (16-12 in Durban on Saturday).
“Not only are they a champion side, but also the best provincial team in the world. To beat them has to lift your confidence.”
Sharks players at the training camp:
Adrian Jacobs, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, JP Pietersen, Willem Alberts, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Gerhard Mostert, Beast Mtawarira.
Province players at the training camp:
Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ricky Januarie, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen.
Johannesburg – Sharks coach John Plumtree is unfazed about 11 of his players having to spend this coming weekend at a Springbok training camp.
He reacted on Monday to the news that his preparation for Saturday’s Currie Cup final against Western Province could be disrupted by the training camp in Johannesburg.
“I’m not too concerned about it. It’s something that was decided beforehand to which we have to adapt now. My plan was to allow the players to rest for the first few days of this week and for us to get back together on Thursday and Friday. We will now do that without the players at the training camp,” said Plumtree.
“I don’t have a problem with my guys going to the Bok camp, but don’t want them to do a lot of physical preparation there. Therefore we will check on what they will be doing.”
South African Rugby Union (SARU) spokesperson Andy Colquhoun gave the assurance that the players would not be involved in physical training sessions.
“There will be discussions about game plans and the logistical planning for the tour will be done,” he said.
The Sharks have eleven players in the training squad, while WP have seven.
Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo and Willem Alberts are part of the national set-up for the first time.
As far as his preparation for the final is concerned, Plumtree said that nothing would change.
“We will do the same things that brought us success during the course of the season. It serves no purpose to try and be clever just because it’s a final and brainstorm new ideas. Stick to the recipe that is working,” he said.
“I believe it’s two good teams in the final, but you have to admit that they (WP) have all the stars. There is always a danger against teams like that of feeling that you can’t beat them. That is why it was important from a psychological perspective that we beat the Blue Bulls (16-12 in Durban on Saturday).
“Not only are they a champion side, but also the best provincial team in the world. To beat them has to lift your confidence.”
Sharks players at the training camp:
Adrian Jacobs, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, JP Pietersen, Willem Alberts, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Alistair Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Gerhard Mostert, Beast Mtawarira.
Province players at the training camp:
Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ricky Januarie, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen.
