News

Home semi excites Muller

October 09 2008

While we haven't quite reached the climax of the competition, the Currie Cup certainly reaches its most intense point to date this weekend with the semi-finals playing out in Durban and Pretoria.

There is nothing quite like a knock-out match to get the blood racing and the excitement levels to fever pitch as the Sharks ready themselves to host the Lions at the Absa Stadium on Saturday.

"This is the reason why we play rugby, to play in games like this at our stadium, with 40 or 50,000 people there," captain Johann Muller told the Sharks website.

It has been a tough four months for a Sharks side that was decimated by Springbok call-ups and injuries, losing just about an entire team for early periods of the tournament.

But as the competition has progressed, so have the Sharks to the extent that they managed to finish top of the table despite the setbacks - testament to some really hard work put in by the players and coaching staff.

"We started the competition off really slowly, but if you look back, it was probably the best thing that could happen," said Muller.

"When times are tough, you've got to stick together, character gets tested, and again that will come out when we get tested on the weekend.

"We've been there, experienced it and the unit is as tight as it's ever been.

"The guys are really excited about the weekend. If you put in all the hard work and get the reward of a home semi, it is special and it was one of our aims when we started the competition."

Muller notes that it is going to be a massive challenge on Saturday with the Lions pack renowned for their strength in the set pieces and tight phases of the game.

"They have a really good scrum, there's no hiding from that - but so do we," said the Sharks skipper.

"We have a full Springbok front row with a further two front row Boks on the bench so it will be a great contest, one to watch as everyone has a point to prove."

The Lions loose forwards are also renowned for their good work at the tackle area and this has been a focus in the media over the battle of the breakdown, especially with captain Cobus Grobbelaar leading from the front.

However, Muller says that it isn't about any specific aspect of the game that will be the difference between winning and losing, but rather the application of the gameplan and its overall execution.

"This will be one of those games where one particular thing won't change the course of the game, rather everything will help towards victory," said Muller.

"Both teams boast excellent tight fives, there are six fantastic loosies and some brilliant backs, so it should be an exciting game to watch and play."

The captain himself can barely contain his excitement as he looks ahead to the game.

"There is nothing like a home game in the knockout stages to get the blood pumping and to run out with the crowd screaming for you, it's a great advantage," he said.

"But we must still go out there and play."