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Sharks search for accuracy

Gavin Rich - SuperSport

Durban - Although they scored five tries to none and picked up their first bonus point win of the season, the Sharks are still searching for improvements as their Vodacom Super Rugby campaign moves forward.

The Sharks are now in Melbourne, where they are preparing for Friday’s match against the Melbourne Rebels. Coach John Plumtree told the Sharks website that he would be looking for more patience and accuracy up the middle in the match.

“I thought we played pretty well, we kept the ball for long periods at times,” said Plumtree of his side’s 39-12 win.

“At other times we were a little impatient when we took the ball out wide too early when what we needed was more accuracy up the middle. But for a first hit out on tour, I was pleased with the way it went.”

It’s a short turn-around week for the Sharks as they go from a Saturday game to a Friday game, and Plumtree gave the players Monday off to give them time to heal.

At this stage he is optimistic that dreadlocked Springbok wing Odwa Ndungane, injured by the spear tackle that saw Rory Sidey sent from the field in the first quarter and subsequently suspended for three weeks, will be available for Friday’s game. Ndungane’s condition has improved considerably since Saturday.

However, with JP Pietersen now back home in Durban and set to have a rib cartilage injury operated on during the course of Tuesday, the Sharks are trying to get Mark Richards released from his Springbok Sevens duties so he can fly out to Australia as a replacement.

Plumtree is confident that both of his injured loose-forwards, Jacques Botes and Willem Alberts, will be ready to play on Friday.

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