News

Sharks inspired by League

May 23 2008

The Sharks have drawn inspiration from Rugby League for their Super 14 semi-final clash with the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday after watching Origin's opening match on Wednesday.

Sharks coach Dick Muir said his players were impressed by the toughness New South Wales and Queensland players after watching the match between League's fiercest rivals.

Muir reckoned it was just the thing for his players to see before trying to turn the tables on the Waratahs who beat the Durban based side 25-10 earlier in the season.

"It was great," Muir told the AA.

"We're not fortunate enough to have other codes (in South Africa). I suppose it's good and bad.

"With other codes, there's a lot of competition. But also there's a lot of cross-pollenation and a lot of research and work that's done by the other codes where you can benefit.

"So it was quite interesting to watch that and our guys are really interested in league, particularly the defensive side of it."

The Sharks are in confident mood ahead of their play-off despite the humbling loss they suffered in their last visit to the Sydney Football Stadium.

The visitors on Saturday feel that defeat might have been the best thing that happened to them this season as it shook them into life.

"We learnt a lot from that loss," Muir said.

"Certainly we were outplayed and our season sort of turned from there. We did a couple of things differently (after that)."

The change in the Sharks play saw them score successive bonus-point victories over the Cheetahs and the Chiefs in the last two rounds to sneak into the playoffs.

Now last year's tournament runners up are determined to capitalise on their late-season revival.

"We're just excited to be in the semis. It's a great opportunity for us as a group," Muir said.

"It's an incredible competition and, just to be in the semis, you give yourselves a chance and we back ourselves.

"You get to a position where you've worked so hard to be in the semis, it's no use holding back in any way. It's really all just up for grabs.

"So you've got to go out and express yourselves and make the most of the occasion."

The Sharks were further buoyed on Thursday by the news that back-line prodigy Francois Steyn has recover from his rib injury and will be fit to play on Saturday.

"He's playing. He's fine. He'll be playing at twelve," Muir said.