Dragons RFC vs Hollywoodbets Sharks

10/05/2024 07:40 AM

The Hollywoodbets Sharks go into today's Vodacom United Rugby Challenge against the Dragons with a sense of purpose, boosted by a full week of training and the injection of fresh talent.

Hollywoodbets Sharks head coach John Plumtree presented a confident air about the settled natured of the squad, where they've had their first full week of preparation for this match, something they haven't enjoyed in recent times and certainly not ahead of the Connacht game.

Added to that just one change to the starting XV and the team takes continuity into this clash with the Dragons.

"It was certainly a lot better preparation than last week's; we've had a nice full week and the first full week of preparation we've had for a while," the coach explained from the team's base.

"Our week heading into the Connacht game was compromised off the back of travel and two knock-out games, so it wasn't ideal prep.  I saw a lack of energy in the physical parts of our game in the second half and hopefully we'll see a change in that this week and that we finish really strongly.

"Jaden Hendrikse, Phepsi Buthelezi and Lionel Cronje have come over and joined us, so the squad has got a bit stronger in terms of experience which is good."

Given the outcome of last week's game off the back of two different halves, Plumtree admitted that urgency and intensity are high on the list this week.

"We identified about four critical areas we needed to work on this week and that's been our focus. We know we're a dangerous side when we get the ball we want, and when we nail our skillsets, we look really good. But we are lacking in certain areas, particularly in this part of the world, so we have to get better."

Casting his eye to the opposition, he warns that the Dragons will be strong at home.

"They were good enough to beat the Ospreys [in round one], that was a good performance from them at home, then they were competitive for 60-65 minutes against a pretty good Leinster side away in round two.

"I think with most teams at this time of the year, the coaches have a big squad to select from because there are fewer injuries, so everyone starts off pretty strong. But come round seven or eight, then you see how strong your squad is, not how strong your team is.

"Right now, anyone can beat anyone else, because everyone is fit and fresh and firing away.

"We have a tough, physical fixture ahead of us, coming off the back of a loss and we have to play really well. We will need to look after their threats and apply some pressure on them to be able to play for 80 minutes."

A year on from this time last year when the Hollywoodbets Sharks coach was still fresh into his tenure, Plumtree admits that, "We're definitely in a better place than last year!

"We couldn't have done what we did in the Carling Currie Cup this time last year, and we were 27-7 up against Connacht in Ireland last week, and there aren't too many sides that go to Galway and put on a performance like that in the first half.

"We would never have been able to put a score on like that last year, we're a different team now and we take a lot of confidence out of that. Of course we don't like losing and we were all bitterly disappointed afterwards, but the reality is that we'd been through a fair bit and we have to cut the boys a bit of slack.

"We've had a good week this week and the batteries will be full. We look forward to going the full 80."

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