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Clean shave for Kockott

Durban - The Sharks’ social responsibility initiatives took on a whole new and interesting complexion on Thursday when five months of beard were unceremoniously removed from the face of Rory Kockott.

According to the official Sharks website, for those who thought it was just an unkept mess, they were right, but it was for all the right reasons with Rory raising money for Cancer Awareness.

“We spoke to the Sharks PR people who agreed that it was a good thing to do,” explained The Sharks scrumhalf and ace goal-kicker who last week converted six penalties in their match against the Chiefs for a 100% kicking record.

“It’s been a few months now and I managed to develop a decent beard as well as create an opportunity to raise funds and I’m pleased to say we raised a few thousand for cancer. We’ve also linked up with Coast 2 Coast 4 CANSA with Russel Symcox and Lance Klusener who are doing a jet ski ride from Mozambique to Namibia and we’ve manage to raise some funds for that.”

Explaining that his last shave was the beginning of October last year, he added, “This ties in nicely with the social responsibility initiatives in The Sharks ‘Making a Difference’ campaign – The Sharks are good at being aware of contributing to places and people in need and to be able to do something for cancer is a humbling thing to do. Cancer is a costly and devastating thing and any way we can help in raising funds is great and a blessing.”

Shifting his focus onto tonight’s rugby, he agreed that leaving for New Zealand with points in the bag would be good for The Sharks.

“The Chiefs game was very close, we settled the issue on Sunday and focused the rest of the week on the Cheetahs game which is a crucial step in our way forward.”

With the Cheetahs having lost last week, they come to Durban full of intent to right matters, but for The Sharks, it’s about focusing on the game without paying attention to history. “Some might see this game as revenge for the Absa Currie Cup semifinal last year, but not us, it’s a new competition, we’re a better team than then and there are certain attributes that we developed in the preseason that will help us in a different way.”

While The Sharks embark on a tough tour, Rory admitted that he was looking forward to it. “The challenge is always tougher when the tour is longer but that could be a good thing this year. Sometimes when things are easy, you tend not to step up to the plate. The guys are excited, as they always are, and we are all aware of not focusing on the end goal, but the steps along the way, and the steps we will take on tour are crucial.

“The boys are willing to prepare and give the commitment it’s going to take for the tour and whatever follows.”
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