The mantra for the Sharks this week as they travel to the Dragons is “intensity” after the lack of it across 80 minutes cost them a victory against Connacht last week.
The Sharks had plenty of energy in the first half of their United Rugby Championship match in Galway as they swept to a 27-7 half-time lead, only to drift into ‘Zombie’ mode in the second half.
Connacht scored four tries as they overcame the lethargic Durbanites.
Sharks assistant coach Warren Whiteley said yesterday: “We were happy with our in the first half. Connacht started well and we struggled to exit in the first 15 to 20 minutes, but once we sorted that out, we were accurate and put pressure on them and scored some nice tries.
“But in the second half, we could not match their intensity,” the former Springbok captain admitted.
“If you look at our breakdown, they targeted us there, and got a lot of reward. They cleaned us out at the breakdown in the second half.”
The Sharks had won the breakdown battle in the first half and their set piece had also been good, but Connacht turned the tables.
“Our set piece fell away,” Whiteley said. “In particular, we have to improve our maul defence. It is a big part of the game in this part of the world. It is important that we learn our lesson quickly as we grow toward our next game.”
Captain Vincent Tshituka agreed that the Sharks’ second-half performance was unacceptable.
“It was a disappointing second half from our side,” the loose forward said.
“We know what we are expected to deliver, and we could not do it. Connacht stepped it up, and we didn’t match them. We allowed them to get the better of us.”
Theoretically, the Sharks should have an easier time of it this week when they play the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday (6.15pm kick-off).
The Welsh side lost 34-6 to Leinster last week, but will be a different proposition at home.
“We have high standards for ourselves regardless of who we’re playing,” Whiteley said.
“We were disappointed with that second-half performance. It is about looking at those areas where we fell short and looking at where we can get better.
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“If you look at the Dragons in those first 40 minutes against Leinster, they gave it a go and played some quality rugby.
“They are a dangerous side, and particularly at home. They’ve won one, lost one, so we will have to play well to get a victory there.
“We know what we’re up against.”
Tshituka said the players are determined to make amends.
“Like coach Warren said, Connacht targeted us quite heavily at the breakdown, and going into this weekend, it’s a big focus point for us,” the No 7 said.
“As a pack of forwards, I also feel we can assert ourselves a bit more. We’re raring to go and are ready to set things straight,” he promised.