Sharks coach remains upbeat

Durban - Despite disappointing results, Sharks assistant coach Sean Everitt insists they are making improvements in their play.

Following a 26-18 loss to the Golden Lions in Johannesburg last weekend, the Sharks slipped to fifth on the overall Currie Cup log, with only three wins from seven matches.

Their only wins have come against the EP Kings (twice) and the Pumas.

“Our defence has improved a lot although we’re still not putting together an 80 minute performance and that is costing us,” Everitt told the Sharks’ official website.

“The team is certainly making progress, there are definite improvements in individual performances and there is a lot of energy and fight on the field. We saw this against the Lions when we came back from 26-6 down to score 12 unanswered points through two very good tries.

“This team wants to do well, they are trying and we have to keep fighting.”

There has been a huge improvement at set-piece time as the forwards spend more time together as a unit and there were encouraging signs against a highly-rated Lions pack.

“At times over the season we’ve struggled with our set-piece, but it was really, really good on Saturday; we scrummed them off the ball at one stage and they are the most feared scrum in the competition, so that’s a massive positive to take out of the game.  Our lineout was brilliant, so our set-piece functioned really well.”

The Sharks host the Blue Bulls in Durban this Friday and Everitt knows it won’t be an easy task.

“The Bulls are one of the form teams, but after losing their last two matches, will be desperate to get a win and get their campaign back on track. 

“This week is another big challenge, but we love playing them. We know what’s coming from them, but we need to be up for the full 80 to get the result.

“We’re a proud team and the character and energy we’ve played with over the last few weeks shows what this team is made of.  We want to turn it around, we want to get a win this weekend and we’ll be giving everything.”

Kick-off for Friday’s clash at Kings Park is scheduled for 20:00.