Sharks coach JP Pietersen bemoaned a cycle of “one positive and then two negatives” from his side at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The visitors slumped to a 34-22 Vodacom URC defeat against the Lions, missing out on the chance to retain their SA Shield title.
“It’s pretty poor if you look at our performance,” Pietersen said. “We did some good stuff, but we can’t back it up.”
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The Sharks led 7-3 and defended stoutly early on, but a yellow card to scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse proved costly as the Lions scored two converted tries in quick succession.
“We defended well until then. But is it only the yellow card? I don’t think so,” said Pietersen, who was appointed permanent Sharks head coach earlier this week.
“We had a kick-off, they put a little kick through and the ball went through [Aphelele] Fassi’s legs. Those are controllables. If we gather that ball and go forward, it’s a different ball game.”
The Sharks also battled to build sustained pressure.
“The way rugby works, you have to defend to get the ball back. When you get it back, you get territory and from territory you must build pressure,” Pietersen explained. “We never did that. We never turned pressure into points. We were just absorbing pressure.”
He admitted leadership was lacking in key moments without a number of senior Springboks in the mix.
“The other individuals need to step up. Some of them are in transition and learning to become leaders, but that’s part of the process.”
However, Pietersen was full of praise for Jurenzo Julius, who started at 12. The 21-year-old defended strongly and produced several searing breaks in the second half as the Sharks chased the game.
“He was very good today,” Pietersen said of the decision to move the explosive midfielder closer to the action. “I love the way he backs himself.
“His decision-making was good and he showed what he can do at 12. In the modern game you need to play more than one position. If he can master 13 and 12, he’s a proper weapon for us.”
The Sharks are back on the Highveld next weekend to take on the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
“We’ll re-look at what we can do better and how we can limit our soft errors and soft moments,” said Pietersen. “The boys are hurting in the changing room.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post JP rues ‘soft moments’, praises Jurenzo appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Sharks coach JP Pietersen bemoaned a cycle of “one positive and then two negatives” from his side at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The post JP rues ‘soft moments’, praises Jurenzo appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
