Introspection

03/04/2025 08:26 AM

The Hollywoodbets Sharks will have analysed the build-up to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against the Emirates Lions, as well as how the game unfolded as they prepare to host the same opponents this week.

"It wasn't what we expected, and we expected better from each other," head coach John Plumtree admitted of his team's performance in their derby match last Saturday.

"We've let ourselves down and our fans will be disappointed. We didn't expect that to happen, we had a good week physically, but clearly we just didn't nail it mentally.

"To try and win a VURC game away, especially a derby game, is tough. But we have to question the build-up mentally for this game and we'll show the boys that.

"You're not going to beat a side like the Emirates Lions if you're not in the right mental space. We felt like we had a really good week, we were confident, so it was unexpected what we delivered.

"But all credit to the Emirates Lions, we knew it was going to be tough and they wanted it more. They won most of the collisions and just worked harder around the park. When you play a side like that and you're not in the same space, you're going to come off second best which is pretty much what happened.

"We need to look inward, at everyone, from players to management and learn from this. And make sure it never happens again.

"We still have high hopes of doing well and this was a massive wake-up call for us."

In a match where the conditions were difficult, both sides did have to contend with heavy rain that had a big role to play in how the game unfolded. But for Plumtree, this was no excuse at all.

"No complaints, it was the same for them," he admitted. "They got 38 points, we got 14, so you can't moan about the conditions."

The Hollywoodbets Sharks have this week to fix whatever issues they have identified, against the self-same Emirates Lions, as they welcome the Joburg side to Hollywoodbets Kings Park in the return leg, second round clash this Saturday, looking to make amends for the loss and assert their position on the log.

"We'll grieve this loss, it hurts, and we'll talk about what happened in this game. We'll have a good look at it and then regroup. We'll be expecting a big response from everyone.

"We have a home game finally – the last three have been away from home – and we look forward to playing in front of our fans again."

With the South African Shield not yet wrapped up, the Hollywoodbets Sharks go in search of a bonus point win in the final game of the SA Conference which would see them finish on top, ahead of the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls.

While it's not the be-all-and-end-all of the tournament, it certainly is an important battle within the overall war.

"Winning the conference is certainly something we want to do," Plumtree admitted. "For now it's about picking ourselves up and looking forward to the next game.

"The team showed a lot of resilience against the Vodacom Bulls and we now need to move past the Emirates Lions game and just make sure we're consistent every week."

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