Tera Mtembu: Wants better finishing
Sharks’ captain Tera Mtembu admits that the defending Currie Cup champions have slumped into a “desperate” position in their bid to defend the title.
The Durban-based side drew 30-30 with the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last Saturday and must now win all of their four remaining games if they want to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals.
“I think the word we can use is desperate,” said Mtembu said on Tuesday.
“We’ve slipped into a position now that we have to win every game.
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“But our focus obviously is the Bulls first and it’s a must-win game for us. The other games will then follow.”
The Sharks must beat the Blue Bulls in Pretoria this week and follow that up with home victories over the Eastern Province Kings and the Golden Lions before playing another must-win game away at current table-toppers Western Province.
They also need to pick up bonus points along the way, or else they can be caught by the Cheetahs or the Bulls, should those two rivals win all their matches.
“Ultimately we’d like to get a semi-final spot,” Mtembu said.
“But that’s something we can’t control. We want to try and win the last four games and if we can do that the log will take care of itself.”
Brad Macleod-Henderson’s side has been boosted by news that Lwazi Mvovo will be available after he was released from Springbok duty for the Loftus Versfeld Stadium clash.
But team doctor Alan Kourie confirmed that veteran Bok wing Odwa Ndungane will be out after sustaining a groin strain.
He joins centre Heimar Williams, sidelined with the same injury for four weeks, on the casualty list, which also includes England prop Matt Stevens (knee).
Another front rower, Thomas du Toit, faces a late fitness test ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Mtembu, in his first season at the helm, said they have worked on two areas of their game this week.
“I think our big thing is that we are creating opportunities but aren’t executing well,” he said.
“Our discipline has let us down, even though there was a big improvement at the weekend.
“Still, we’re not executing as well as we’d like to. Those are the main areas we’ve been focusing on in the last two weeks – improving on the execution and the discipline.”
But the Sharks’ skipper felt there were plenty of positives in the draw in Bloemfontein, which came on the back of defeats to the Pumas and Griquas, results that have left them hanging desperately on to fourth place.
“I think our discipline was quite good,” added Mtembu.
“Our defence was also good at times and the linkage play between the forwards and backs was probably the best it’s been all season.
“I think we’re creating a lot of opportunities. It’s just that last pass or the finishing that’s missing.”
@ Scrumdown: Forgot to add . . .
@ ufo: @ 19
Check out this version – particularly the oke on sax.
23 @ IAAS:
Excellent IAAS…! David Byron also my favourite Uriah Heep singer…
Here’s another from when he did vocals…
@ Tassies:
My word Tassies, great minds think alike, I only saw now you had already posted the Cohen song I I wanted to.
😀
Some more classic Sabbath – Not for the bleeding heart liberals though!
Seems like everybody is starting with some soft music, I will as well.
@ IAAS: yes indeed. Haven’t heard that for 40 years. Saw them live at the 3 Arts about 10-15 years ago. They were NOT the same.
28 @ Tassies:
Cool stuff Tassies… happy to be dish out smiles…!! 😉
@ Scrumdown@35:
Great song
But let move on to some rock
32 @ IAAS:
excellent version IAAS…
and the guy on sax… not sure who is… but think he’s a… star maaan… waiting in the sky…!! 😉
@ leon:
@ GoBokkeAndIreland:
Can’t imagine in these times of nauseating political correctness that a song like War Pigs with it’s brutally honest lyrics would generally be accepted by the establishment!
Thought this may make a good pub-night song.
IAAS… speaking of surprising ‘backing musos’ check this guy tinkling the ivories for mark bolan…
but don’t shoot him… he’s only the piano player…
@ leon: @ 43
Holy shit! That’s an absolutely AWESOME version of that song!
Something a little older and then a great version from a toddler as well.
this is an artist that I regard as a poet first, a musician second and an Irishman last. AND he’s bloody good at being Irish.
A taste of things to come??
Iron Man lives again?
@ Scrumdown: @42
Well, at the risk of being ostracized by the RT community, and, possibly ending up in jail, here’s my response to political correctness . . .
I apologize to any who’re offended.
43 @ leon:
That was awesome!
@ GoBokkeAndIreland: too right. But they really should be more circumspect about the kind of waterfall they want to tackle in their canoe.
48 @ Tassies:
good one tastes… love van the man…
@ Tassies: @48
An Irishman may be many other things, BUT he’ll always be an Irishman first and foremost!
@ ufo: @ 45
Well I never. Reg Dwight himself.
Go the Reds!
57 @ IAAS:
Talking of whom…..
Most people just can’t guess the intro’ on this track!
If someone can help me.
I am on an android tablet and too thick to work out how to c&p a song from YouTube.
Please post a track from Seasick Steve – preferably Doghouse Blues (the 3 string version).
Many thanks.
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