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Pretoria - The Sharks have no choice but to try and score four tries at all costs, which means they may play outside their normal structures in Saturday’s Super 14 match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
To date the Sharks have averaged 1,7 tries per match, but Bulls captain Victor Matfield is indifferent to whatever approach the opposition decides on.
“Yes, they are probably under a little more pressure in that department,” said the veteran lock.
“But it’s not up to us to say what their approach will be and their goals are. We know what first prize will be for us. A win, no matter how big or small, is the only thing we are interested in. The bonus point will be exactly that – a bonus.
“It will nevertheless be very interesting to see what their approach will be against us.”
The chances are good that the Sharks will come to Loftus with an adventurous approach.
They have to win all their remaining games with bonus points to stand an outside chance of making the semi-finals. On top of that the Sharks would have noticed how the Reds beat the Bulls.
Even so, it does not concern Matfield if the Bulls’ opponents want to carry the ball from every corner of the field.
“We have improved a lot in the last few games. We struggled with a few things at the start of the season, but we have ironed it out. I think it’s safe to say that our defence is one of our strengths.”
The Bulls have conceded only one try against the Lions, two against the Reds and one against the Chiefs in their last three games.
The Reds could only score two tries in spite of having more than 60% possession.
The first was when a player in an off-side position kicked the ball through and the second was when the Bulls lost a lineout ball and were not defensively organised.
Against the Chiefs a rolling ball was not controlled, while the Lions beat the Bulls defence with good skilful play on the outside.
Pretoria - The Sharks have no choice but to try and score four tries at all costs, which means they may play outside their normal structures in Saturday’s Super 14 match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
To date the Sharks have averaged 1,7 tries per match, but Bulls captain Victor Matfield is indifferent to whatever approach the opposition decides on.
“Yes, they are probably under a little more pressure in that department,” said the veteran lock.
“But it’s not up to us to say what their approach will be and their goals are. We know what first prize will be for us. A win, no matter how big or small, is the only thing we are interested in. The bonus point will be exactly that – a bonus.
“It will nevertheless be very interesting to see what their approach will be against us.”
The chances are good that the Sharks will come to Loftus with an adventurous approach.
They have to win all their remaining games with bonus points to stand an outside chance of making the semi-finals. On top of that the Sharks would have noticed how the Reds beat the Bulls.
Even so, it does not concern Matfield if the Bulls’ opponents want to carry the ball from every corner of the field.
“We have improved a lot in the last few games. We struggled with a few things at the start of the season, but we have ironed it out. I think it’s safe to say that our defence is one of our strengths.”
The Bulls have conceded only one try against the Lions, two against the Reds and one against the Chiefs in their last three games.
The Reds could only score two tries in spite of having more than 60% possession.
The first was when a player in an off-side position kicked the ball through and the second was when the Bulls lost a lineout ball and were not defensively organised.
Against the Chiefs a rolling ball was not controlled, while the Lions beat the Bulls defence with good skilful play on the outside.
