The Hollywoodbets Sharks will host the Glasgow Warriors at Hollywoodbets Kings Park this afternoon knowing that a huge performance from the big players is crucial in this Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash.
Head coach John Plumtree admitted in the lead-up to the game that it was all about getting the balance right in his Springbok-laden Hollywoodbets Sharks team.
“The focus has been around getting this team together after arriving back from Italy on Monday. But we have a fresh group of players as well as a group that’s not so fresh, so it’s about getting the balance right in terms of training.
“The team that’s been selected is strong on paper, but it’s how they come together to play strong, that’s what really matters.
“I’ve got guys who are tired from the tour, so it was probably better to bank on the experience I do have.”
Plumtree admitted that it has been a testing week getting everyone up to speed on the plan for Glasgow, given the return to play of the Springboks and also the need to balance that with tour fatigue. But he believes that his internationals bring something more than just ability and experience.
“The Boks have had a couple of weeks rest and we’ve had a compromised week because of our travel. But that’s the nature of this competition, we’re the only team in the tournament that hasn’t played their full strength side, and this week we are doing that.
“I’m relying on their experience. We have a plan, a pretty simple one so that we didn’t feel like we were overloading the players, especially because when they return from their international commitments to their clubs, there’s a different set of calls, so we made sure to be as smart as possible with our preparations.
“The experienced players are very good at coming together quickly although there has been some rustiness in training. But there were some good, strong parts to our week and I’m relying on the boys to gel real quickly because we’re going to come under pressure from a really good Glasgow team that’s also chock-a-block full of internationals.”
He acknowledged that the defending champions are a top team in this year’s competition, playing a side just as strong, but a bit rusty at this stage.
“Let’s not beat about the bush though, this is a really good Glasgow team that has proven themselves time and time again under pressure. They’ve got their big players and it’s going to be a massive challenge for us.
“If we get the momentum we need up front, that will give us the time and space the backs need which is something Glasgow will be aware of. But if they get front foot momentum then they’re deadly and we can’t allow that.
“There are going to be a lot of collisions, it’s going to be very physical and it’s going to be about two packs going hard at each other, two sets of defences going hard at each other and it will be about who takes their opportunities and who has the moments in the game that are soft which allow an easy try in.
“That will determine the winner. Hopefully we will be the winner on the day, but it’s a massive challenge. I’m relying on those big boys to come through and for our team to gel as quickly as possible.”
An exciting development sees Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse form the halfback partnership for this game, with Plumtree explaining the rationale behind his choice.
“It was always our plan to give Jordan a run at 10 at some stage. Siya Masuku has had a lot of starts and there’s a bit of wear and tear with him, so it’s a nice opportunity for me to freshen him up. Jordan has been waiting for a crack at 10, he’s playing with his brother which is exciting for them and hopefully they can play the same in our stadium as they did in their back yard a long time ago.”
Today’s match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park kicks off at 3.45pm.
