Loading ...The Sharks Currie Cup win over the Lions this past weekend was, in all honesty, an unattractive, long, hard grind but I do believe that in time, the importance of this victory will come home to roost.
After heavy losses to the Bulls and Cheetahs this month, another loss would have been extremely hard to come back from.
The Sharks once again lacked any real penetration on attack but if you saw the way in which they defended in the final few minutes — when the Lions were launching wave after wave of attack — the character this team possesses should not be in question.
However, you have to wonder what is contributing to their lack of cohesion. Is it the lack of continuity caused by injuries as well as returning players? Is it a lack of leadership or a lack of confidence? Are some of the new players simply not up to it?
Whatever the case may be it will certainly be an interesting few weeks to come with extremely tough away matches against the Griquas and Western Province lying in prospect.
This past weekend Jean Deysel was mighty impressive and his impact as a powerful ball carrier was much needed. However, the backline is still missing a spark and with Rory Kockott and Brad Barritt still set to be out of action this weekend, it is sure to be a tricky match against the Griquas.
