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Durban - Scoring more tries during this season's Super Rugby campaign is the last thing that has crossed the minds of the Sharks, flyhalf Patrick Lambie has said on Tuesday.
The Durban franchise were the second worst try scorers in the competition last season and came in for criticism from some quarters as they struggled in attack.
"We might not have scored as many tries last year as we would have liked but we managed to win some important games and make it to the semi-final.
"This year we want to take it a step further. Our focus is on our intensity and playing a good brand of rugby, if we work hard enough that will be the case," the Springbok back said.
The Durbanites scored 29 tries, which was the second worst alongside the bottom-placed Rebels and one better than the Bulls.
They kick-off the new campaign against the Cheetahs this weekend.
Lambie has been named as part of a four-man leadership group for the season. He is one of three vice-captains alongside Frans Steyn and Tera Mtembu, with Bismarck du Plessis retained as captain.
The 24-year-old is honoured by his appointed and expects to also lead the team at some point during the season.
"Players will be rotated, it is non-stop, no break in June any more, week in week out, very physical and very fast," he said.
"We got to have more than one leader, each of the four will get a chance to captain on the day or look after forwards or backs. Day by day, the four will have to lead by example and make the important decisions.
"I feel honoured to have the position and it is something I enjoy." Another contentious point for the Sharks last season was the lack of rotation by then director of rugby Jake White, something critics felt played a role in their fatigue towards the end of the season.
But with 2015 being World Cup year, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) has implemented a new rotation policy for the contracted Boks.
"Saru has spoken to the contracted Boks, we are aware of the fact that we will get up to three weeks additional rest to the two bye weekends," Lambie added.
Looking ahead to the season opener at Kings Park on Saturday, Lambie said: "There are no easy games so it is vital that you take advantage of home games. And first round, everybody is out to get a positive result to build momentum and confidence and it is no different for us."
