Durban - Sharks centre Jeremy Ward says they know what to expect when they host the Western Force in a Super Rugby clash at Kings Park on Saturday (15:05 kick-off).
After losing their first game of the season 28-26 to the Reds in Brisbane, the Sharks beat the Brumbies 27-22 in Canberra the following week, before returning home to Durban to thump the Waratahs 37-14.
In their fourth match against Australian opposition, the Sharks drew 9-all at home to the Rebels a fortnight ago.
“All Aussie teams are trying to play the same style and same type of play, we are expecting a tough encounter, especially as they will look to feed off our errors. They have some very dangerous players so it’s about us pitching up on the day and meeting our standards, not lowering them,” Ward was quoted as saying on the Sharks’ official website.
Ward said Saturday’s match is all about backing up last weekend’s 33-25 defeat of the Jaguares.
“Momentum is everything and this week’s quote is something we want to embrace: ‘Good teams maintain momentum but great teams increase momentum.’
“That’s what we’re looking to do this week, to keep pushing forward and really step up. We want to play better rugby, especially at home to give our fans a performance they really enjoy.”
Kick-off for Saturday’s clash at Kings Park is scheduled for 15:05.
Teams:
Sharks
15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt (captain), 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit
Substitutes: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Stephan Lewies, 20 Tera Mtembu, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Johan Deysel
Force
15 Marcel Brache, 14 James Verity-Amm, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Isireli Naisarani, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Tetara Faulkner, 2 Tatafu Polata-Nau, 1 Pek Cowan
Substitutes: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Francios van Wyk, 18 Shambeckler Vui, 19 Lewis Carmichael, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Mitchell Short, 22 Luke Burton, 23 Peter Grant