Latest news with #Sharks
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Edinburgh look to discipline as they hope to beat Bulls for first time in Pretoria
Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt said winning penalties (and conceding only a few) would prove crucial at altitude. Old friends Jake White and Sean Everitt will do battle once again, and share a beer after the game. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt said his side had focused on discipline ahead of their United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm). Everitt said winning penalties and kicking for touch would prove paramount at altitude as he hopes to get a personal 3-1 record against his former mentor, Jake White, whom he likened to a work colleague now. The teams clash for the third time this season, with each taking the honours at home – the Bulls in the league phase of the URC and Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup quarterfinal last month. Historically, Edinburgh have won three of the five games played between the sides, with each team taking the win at home to make it 3-2. However, Everitt has only been at the helm of the Scottish outfit for three of those contests since joining Edinburgh in 2023. Getting one over his 'good friend' Everitt joined Edinburgh after being a consultant for the Bulls under White for a few months. Before that, he acted as assistant coach under White at the Sharks in 2013 and 2014. The two have remained friends since then and ahead of their fixture they each told media they were going to braai on the eve of their match and watch the Stormers game against Glasgow Warriors on Friday night. 'He invited me to his place. Jake and I are good friends. We won't be talking rugby. It's more of a catch-up and braai some meat on the fire and watch a bit of rugby but we won't be talking tactics,' the South African said. Talking tactics, Everitt said Edinburgh had been successful in their previous outing against the Bulls because of their excellent completion rate, scoring points in 84% of the times they were in the Bulls 22. In order to repeat that, they needed to win many penalties and concede only a few. Discipline is vital because we give away a penalty, from 60m out they can put it into your 22. Likewise for us, putting pressure on them defensively, winning penalties. So the territory game is very important. 'So with completion, we were 84% against the Bulls in the 22 the last time we played. So if we can have that completion again, we will be on the right side of the scoreboard.' Everitt and White will share a beer after the game Everitt said both he and White had done their preparation and it was now up to the players in leadership to carry the day. That was why they could now rest and enjoy each other's company. 'There's not much for coaches to do on game day apart from run the substitutes and making sure the players stick to task. Jake and I have known each other for many years, we've coached together at the Sharks and Bulls together. 'Our friendship has grown. I suppose when you are colleagues at work, it is similar to our relationship.' He said they both take their jobs very seriously and have had 'some really good battles' in the past. 'Hopefully we can go 3–1 against Jake tomorrow. It would certainly be great to have a beer with him after the game.'
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Munster not fixating on Sharks' class
Munster centre Alex Nankivell says the team are deliberately not thinking too much about the 'world-class' Sharks ahead of Saturday's URC quarter-final showdown in Durban. King's Park is expected to have over 50,000 supporters packed in for a highly anticipated clash that sees Munster go up against a team stacked with South African internationals of the calibre of Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. However, Kiwi Nankivell, who has been one of Munster's most consistent performers during a difficult season, says there has been a definite policy within camp all week of focusing on their own strengths rather than dwelling on what dangers the Sharks possess. Alex Nankivell in action for Munster. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 'They have a load of world class players, a lot of Springboks,' admitted Nankivell. 'The Sharks are traditionally a very strong team but that hasn't been touched on yet by the coach or anything. I'm not sure if it will be because it's a quarter-final and, in my opinion, if you start thinking about that too much it might be in the back of your mind and it might create a bit of pressure for the lads so we are purely just focused on our preparation. 'Honestly if we get our stuff right, I genuinely believe we can beat them.'
IOL News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
'It's all about the win,' says Sharks coach Plumtree ahead of URC playoff against Munster
John Plumtree Sharks coach John Plumtree, seen here with Jordan Hendrikse who is making a return to the No 10 jumper for the URC quarter-final clash against Munster. | Steve Haag Sports The Sharks have come in for some stick for their unattractive approach to winning United Rugby Championship (URC) matches but coach John Plumtree has made it clear that their aim is to win games rather than prizes for good fellowship. He has a point because the Sharks have risen from a 14th place finish last year to third this season and have earned the luxury of a home quarter-final against Munster on Saturday. The Sharks are the only side in the top eight of the URC to have conceded more tries than they scored, yet they have shown enormous grit to grind out wins. Plumtree was asked if the quarter-finals are the time for his team to pull the trigger on their attacking game and win in style. 'We are not out here to entertain anyone,' Plumtree said. 'We are here to progress as a team and win matches. If that means win ugly, so be it.' In the Sharks' last game, they beat the Scarlets 12-3, with no tries scored, but Plumtree is unconcerned about outside pressure to up the try tally. 'There is enough pressure on the team without going into the change rooms and demanding more tries,' he said. 'We will get the job done, however that looks. 'We have set the team some goals around what we want to achieve. None of them are based on scoring 20 or 30 points, I can promise you that. We strive to win games of rugby, no matter how that gets done. We want our set piece to dominate and defence to function.' There has been zero problem with these aspects — the Sharks have been magnificent on defence and their Springbok-laden pack has been immense in the set scrums. To be fair to the Sharks, in that dour struggle with the Scarlets, the heavy dew made handling difficult. It is a problem at this time of the year in Durban — hot days cool down quickly in the evening and thick dew is the result. 'When the ball is wet along with the pressure from the opposition, it's always going to compromise our skill sets,' he explained. 'But if we get the territory, possession and fast ball we want, we will nail some of those moments. 'A massive part of these contests is keeping the TMO away from making any big calls that affect both teams and the outcome.' The Sharks' attack could well ignite in this match because of the return at outside centre of the skilful Lukhanyo Am, while Jordan Hendrikse replaces the injured Siya Masuku at flyhalf. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is back at No 8 after a week's vacation. 'It's good to get some guys back, including Siya,' Plumtree said. 'The intensity has been great in our sessions, which is what you would expect with a game like this.' The coach said that Springboks coming into and out of the team over the season because of national duty and resting protocols has been disruptive. 'It has been disjointed, but we haven't let that bother us. Our goal was to put pressure on Glasgow on the log, which meant a good tour and finishing strong at home, and we did that. 'The Scarlets match wasn't the prettiest rugby to watch, but we achieved that goal. We are right where we need to be and are looking forward to the rest of the season.' Plumtree is acquainted with some of the Munster veterans from his time as an assistant coach of Ireland. The Irish side is saying farewell to three of their legends in flank Peter O'Mahony, scrumhalf Conor Evans and prop Steven Archer. 'Munster have a huge fighting spirit and are a very close team. The three guys finishing up have around 600 caps between them,' he said. 'We know what to expect from them but our focus is on playing at home, and progressing in the competition. It's going to come down to who wants it the most and who takes their opportunities on the day.' Sharks team 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain) 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Emile van Heerden 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids 22 Francois Venter 23 Yaw Penxe.
Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Munster name unchanged side for crucial URC quarter-final at the ‘Shark Tank'
Ian Costello has named an unchanged starting line-up for Munster's crunch URC quarter-final against the Sharks in Durban tomorrow.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Munster unchanged again for Sharks quarter-final
Munster interim boss Ian Costello has again named an unchanged team for his side's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Sharks in Durban (17:30 BST). Jack Crowley is retained at fly-half having overcome a rib injury in recent weeks, with former Ireland captain Peter O'Mahony and Stephen Archer are named in the pack in what could be their final game before retirement. Centre Rory Scannell is set to make his 200th Munster appearance off the bench. Also named among the replacements is former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray, who will leave the club this summer. The Sharks, who beat Munster 41-24 in Durban in October, name a team loaded with South Africa internationals, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am. Sharks: Fassi; Hooker, Am, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Nche, Mbonambi, Koch; Etzebeth (capt), Jenkins; Venter, Tshituka, Kolisi. Replacements: Mbatha, Mchunu, Jacobs, Van Heerden, Buthelezi, Davids, Venter, Abrahams; Nash, Farrell, Nankivell, Kilgallen; Crowley, Craig Casey; Milne, Niall Scannell, Archer; Kleyn, Beirne (capt); O'Mahony, Hodnett, Barron, Wycherley, Ryan, Ahern, Kendellen, Murray, Scannell, Haley.
