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.
Planet Rugby
“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.”
@ Tassies:
Yes, I like Joan a lot.. another female muso I enjoy is Alanis Morisette
@ Tassies: @ 149 – Indeed. Found lots of music from that “era” with those kind of images/videos in the background.
Thank you Mario… at last.
Balotelli that is.
@ GoBokkeAndIreland:
@ Tassies:
Many thanks guys.
Not too often that Dylan is upstaged by someone else doing one of his songs.
I do appreciate the help tonight – will make an effort to be better prepared next week.
Good night lads.
@ Charo: Go well.
@ Charo:
Night Charo…. good to know that at least one other blogger here also enjoys Seasick Steve with his John Deere tractor cap and all 🙂
Oh no.. but a penalty?
Steve G got to save it……
And he firkin did just that thank goodness
I am actually grateful that i don’t have Youtube access at work – I’d never get any work done.
@ robzim:
Hello
How are Liverpool doing tonight?
GoBokkeAndIreland wrote:
Good point, me neither!! 🙂
before I hit my pit, I’ll leave you behind one of my old all time favourites. Used to call this the N1 song. Because we used to press the tit on this track as we entered the N1 at Koeberg Road early on a saturday morning en-route to Paarl to play the ‘enemy’ rugby. Boys in the back of my Landie used to dig the last three minutes of this 8 minute track of Jackson Brown’s best. My youngster will never forget this song. Take a listen(fast forward if you like):
@ Blue Bird: @ 163 – I started posting a few music videos, but now things have gone off on a tangent!
@ robzim: make that two. Great introduction you guys. Thanks.
@ Charo: cheers bud
Blue Bird wrote:
They sneaked in at the last minute thanked to the man who does the scoucher accent so well.
@ GoBokkeAndIreland:
I miss most of pub night as it is my Running Club Night, so I sort of have a quick scroll through but do not get chance to listen really. Great so see so many having a banter and enjoying different stuff
Well if our re-engineered Irish friend started this lot, then we have him to thank. Whole lot of fun and get to learn a few new tunes too. 167 post in the space of a few hours is none too shabby for a non-rugby subject I’d have thought. Wine, women, song and rugby. and not necessarily in that order.
@ Blue Bird: My first pub night too – had a great time. Wish I could do it more often.
@ Blue Bird: Tues used to be my running time trial night at RAC when I lived in that part of the world for a spell. RAC = Rand Athletic Club for the uninitiated. Lose 3kg on the road. Gain 3kg in the pub.
@ Tassies:
Hi Tassies, just found a picture of you at Forries back during the Lions Test and the picture form the top of Signal Hill when you took us up there in the dark! 🙂
@ Tassies: Our glorious leader (GBS) usually kicks things off. Don’t know what happened to him tonight though . . .
Blue Bird wrote:
For a moment I thought you were going to say ” Fox hunting club” . I am so relieved 🙂
You should like this one.
GoBokkeAndIreland wrote:
Well hopefully it will be a regular feature. I used to nag GBS to do something like a party night when the blog started. Glad it has happened now!!
@ GoBokkeAndIreland: my second and thoroughly enjoyed as last time. Guys surprise me with so good taste in music. Well my taste anyway. I can do Motzart. But far prefer the blues.
@ Tassies:
RAC here is The Royal Agricultural College!!
@ robzim:
Your remembered….. One of my fave driving songs!!
@ robzim: typical Henley/Eagles sound. Another classic Rob.
Cheers old chap. Chat again soon.
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