Plumtree not giving Chiefs an inch
May 15 2008
The Sharks are expecting a keenly-contested affair against the injury-ravaged Chiefs in Saturday's Super 14 showdown at Absa Stadium in Durban.
Sharks Assistant Coach John Plumtree has admitted his side won't be taking the battle-weary Chiefs misfortune into consideration and will not be underestimating a New Zealand outfit capable of causing an upset over their hosts.
"We are planning for the Chiefs game as if they were at full strength," said Plumtree.
"We know they've had to fly guys out, some pretty good players and I'm sure these guys will step up."
While everyone is talking up a Sharks semi, Plumtree points out that the Chiefs themselves have their own aspirations that will be motivation enough after being stung by the Lions last weekend.
"If the Chiefs get five points, they are still in with a chance depending on the other results, but even if they are out a semi-final place, they will still look to finish as high up as possible," said Plumtree.
"It is important for their franchise, they don't have a great history in the competition."
The Chiefs are holding out hope on four of their form players Sione Lauaki (hamstring), Sitiveni Sivivatu (ankle), Donald (neck) and Tom Willis (side strain) to come right by game time.
As cover, the Chiefs called over four players - scrum-half Brendon Leonard, centre Murray Williams, prop Nathan White and hooker John Paeranga - from home as replacements for the injured and suspended this week.
Plumtree agrees that they are major threats for a Sharks' side that has injury concerns of their own in centre Francois Steyn, lock Johann Muller and prop BJ Botha.
"No doubt about the injured Chiefs players, they are top performers - Lauaki's ball offload stats have been scary and in the past he's done a lot of damage to the Sharks," said Plumtree.
"If he's sitting on the sidelines, it's quite nice for us. Sivivatu is important for their game breaking - he can create something out of nothing.
"They have a couple of others who can take their places though, some good players. There are still plenty of threats and players with line-breaking ability. It will be a big exam for us.
"Fly-half Stephen Donald has been in good form this year, his consistency has stood out and there is an opportunity for him to become an All Black."
Plumtree, as forwards coach admits that the Sharks line-out last Saturday was disappointing, the biggest concern for them.
"But the encouraging thing for us, as a coaching group, is that we showed more patience, something we've been driving since the Waratahs' game I guess," he said.
"We're seeing signs of getting some phases going and stressing opposition defences. We have some great players but we have been too impatient, haven't built enough pressure, and have become an easy side to defend against.
"Something else that is encouraging is that in the last three games we made less tackles than previously, we had more ball - you are not going to win a championship defending."
Plumtree, who takes over as Sharks Head Coach from June 1 when Dick Muir takes up his role as assistant to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, believes the Sharks are a side that can go all the way.
"If we can get that go-forward ball and the backs can hang onto possession, we can beat anyone in the competition," said Plumtree.
"We also have the set piece to dominate every side. Our scrum is probably the best in the competition, our line-out has been around 78-80 per cent, although we had a bit of a meltdown on the weekend."
The Sharks will also have the luxury of playing the final game of the weekend, when all the permutations have played themselves out and they will know exactly what is required to make the semis.
"On Saturday night we will have the benefit of knowing what we have to do. Even if we have to score 70 points. Or 10, or just have to win," said Plumtree.
"It would be great to have a big crowd, probably our last game in the Super 14 at home this year, unless there are a couple of upsets. So if we can get a big crowd, it would help us out."