Big 'Euro Final' not a distraction for Sharks

09/05/2024 10:36

INTERVIEW: The Sharks are on the verge of achieving one of their main goals - winning one of Europe's premier competitions.

However, in the next fortnight, they face two potential banana skins.

Assistant coach Warren Whiteley knows the potential pitfalls of taking their eye off the jobs at hand.

Coming off the high of their sensational one-point (32-31) win over French giants Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham Stoop this past weekend, they now have to switch focus to the United Rugby Championship.

They FACE Benetton at Kings Park on Saturday, followed by another URC face-off against Cardiff (also in Durban), before travelling to north London for the Challenge Cup Final encounter with Gloucester on May 24.

They return to Durban for their final URC match of the season - against the Bulls.

(Continue below ...)

Sharks assistant coach Warren Whiteley said the ability to shift focus between competitions - from the URC to Challenge Cup and back - is a challenge they are still getting used to.

With that EPCR Final just a fortnight away, there is the risk of getting distracted during the next two rounds of the URC.

However, Whiteley is adamant that they are 'focused' on Benetton this week.

Whiteley said the role World Cup winners like Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am played were vital in getting the team over the line.

"They contributed massively, while their leadership was huge for us," he told @rugby365com.

"Eben [Etzebeth] had a phenomenal game this past weekend. He lead from the front."

Siya Masuku also received recognition for his role - pulling the strings in a flyhalf masterclass.

"It has been incredible to watch him develop.

"We saw signs of that at the Cheetahs.

"He was phenomenal for the Cheetahs and this season - since taking over the flyhalf role at the Sharks - he has gone from strength to strength.

"He is still hungry and wants to be better.

"There's bigger things to come."

@king365ed
@rugby365com

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