No 8 Nick Hatton is confident that complacency won’t set in at the Sharks after an unbeaten European tour across two competitions. MORNÉ ESBEN reports.
The Sharks returned to Durban with three victories, beating Lyon after the hooter in the EPCR Challenge Cup before claiming URC wins against Cardiff and Munster.
The back-to-back URC victories also marked the first time the Sharks have achieved that feat in the tournament away from home.
But Hatton, who captained the side on tour, says there is no room for complacency as the Sharks prepare for a challenging run of South African derbies.
“We’ve had three good wins, but we haven’t won anything yet,” he said. “There’s no trophy at the Sharks and we haven’t made the playoffs or anything like that.
“It’s still really early days, so there’s no reason in my mind to get complacent.”
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The Sharks will next face the Stormers, who beat them 39-22 in Cape Town last month, on 5 December, with Hatton making it clear that revenge is firmly on their minds.
“Obviously, the Stormers got one over us in Cape Town, and they’re our next opponents,” he said. “So our immediate focus will definitely be on the Stormers and finding ways to be on the right side of the scoreboard.”
While the European tour was a major boost, Hatton also acknowledged the challenge of competing in two competitions.
“Obviously, our goal is to be in the Champions Cup, but trying to compete and do well on both fronts is a challenge and takes a squad effort,” he said. “It demands the best from you, that’s for sure.”
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Hatton: We haven’t won anything yet appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
No 8 Nick Hatton is confident that complacency won’t set in at the Sharks after an unbeaten European tour across two competitions.
The post Hatton: We haven’t won anything yet appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
