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The Sharks failed to score any tries despite winning 58% possession and 54% territory against Scarlets.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree (right) said he was proud of how his son Taine played, although it was for his opposition, Scarlets. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
While the Sharks said they need to improve in several areas after their lacklustre 12–3 win against Scarlets on Saturday, they are excited to host a United Rugby Championship quarter-final in a fortnight, where they hope to be better.
The Durban side beat Scarlets thanks to four penalties on a day that saw neither team able to capitalise on their chances and cross the line for a try.
The Sharks finished with 58% possession and were especially disappointed (although they were the victors) in the manner of the result. The win did, however, allow them to leapfrog Glasgow Warriors on the URC log and set up a home quarter-final against Munster on Saturday, 31 May.
Sharks rue their chances
Coach John Plumtree and captain Eben Etzebeth (who also earned man of the match) both lamented how the Sharks failed to take their chances.
“I don’t think there was a lack of us trying or our intent around what we were trying to do. It was more around just our accuracy,” Plumtree said.
For example, he said the Sharks had plenty of territory and possession, with strong drives and threatening lineout plays. “But too many basic mistakes… and it got pretty frustrating for the boys. No matter how hard we tried, nothing was going well.
“Fair play to the Scarlets. They were so tough and they’ve improved in all aspects of their game. They pressured our lineouts and scrum, their defence was solid. The Scarlets were good on the high ball.
“They didn’t create much in attack either. It was really about defence tonight.”
Quarter-final ‘going to be amazing’
He said the Sharks lacked accuracy in executing their skillsets, but backed his charges to bounce back come the quarter-finals.
“We have been working hard in training. I’ve got a lot of experienced players who don’t have to be told that, they will improve. People come here to watch us score tries so that is what we want to do.
“From now on, the stakes go up.”
Etzebeth said that players they already knew they had to improve, but still, he could not wait for a knockout game in front of the Sharks’ home fans at Kings Park Stadium. “It’s going to be amazing,” he said.
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