John Plumtree , head coach of the Sharks have joined the pshycological battle. And rightly so has tipped the Bulls as favoutites, shifting all pressure back to the Bulls. But true champions will absorb this and still perform. Being a local derby a hard fought match will still be the trademark of this game
Christo Buchner
Johannesburg – Sharks coach John Plumtree has stepped up the psychological warfare against the Bulls by claiming that all the pressure is on the Super 14 champions ahead of Saturday’s match at Loftus Versfeld.
“As log-leaders they have to win to ensure a home semi-final. That places a lot of pressure on them,” said Plumtree, who ruffled Bulls feathers earlier in the week with a claim that Ruan Pienaar is now the country’s top scrumhalf.
He admitted that the semi-finals are probably out of reach for his team.
“A lot will have to happen for us to qualify for the semi-finals. We’re not concerned about it and are just looking forward to the game against the old enemy,” said Plumtree.
“Things could have looked a lot different for us had we not struggled so much early on. All we can do now is to maintain the winning momentum of the last five games.”
Matches between these teams have been intense affairs ever since the 1990 Currie Cup final when Tony Watson scored his famous try to shock the Blue Bulls.
“The challenge of playing at Loftus always gets the best out of my players,” said Plumtree.
“We also get excellent support there, which is fantastic. Once again it’s going to be a matter of their strong runners and defenders against us.
“It’s going to be very physical and it will be interesting to see who remains standing at the end. The Bulls and Sharks bring the best out of each other.”
Plumtree is dumbfounded that the Bulls are criticised for their approach in spite of having scored 50 or more points on four occasions this year and scoring the most tries.
“They play with a lot of discipline. It’s part of their culture. Discipline is drilled into their make-up and you can put it down to Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez leading the side,” he said.
Plumtree believes South African rugby is in good shape.
“The depth in South African rugby has definitely improved. There is a lot of competition for places in the Springbok team, which is wonderful.”
Good game coming up…
Go Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuulls !!!!!!!
Sharks to clean up on Saturday by a record margin of 50 points 🙂
2@ Winnie – Pasop, as jy wakker word, dan’s jou koffie koud…
Jy moet net hoop jy het nie gedroom jy eet ‘n moooooooooooosa marshmallow nie, want jou kussing sal dalk ook weg wees….
Bulls should win but if the Sharks gap it then you will never hear the end of it..
4@ Winnie – “if the Sharks GAP it”
Fark, what is that, surfer-speak or Deben-speak or a new English dialect or something??
…. forken soutie-maniere… hehehehe
4 – Winston, agree Bulls should take it but the PRESSURE going to be huge for them. We have NOTHING to lose, we win we win go to 9th or 8th still wont make a semi. We lose might stay on 9th or go to 10th. No big deal for us but for the Bulls it means a home semi or home final. PRESSURE……..PRESSURE..HEHEHE.
GO SHARKS.
Morning Rugby Princess, how you see your Saders go tomorrow?
You know what the difference between PRESSURE and STRESS is??
You are under PRESSURE when your wife is pregnant, but you are under STRESS if your secretary is pregnant.
Hehehehe
Back to reality… PRESSURE is actually often a good thing, no need to always see it in a negative context… Some people and some Teams (both in a working or in a sporting environment) actually work better in pressure situations… if the leadership is up to it and steers momentum and effort in the right direction….
I think by now there should be no doubt about the ability to prosper under PRESSURE at the Bulls…. with the string of Currie Cups, 2 Super 14 titles in 3 years, having come from behind in many games this year and closing out successfully…. and with more than half the team with Springbok, Tri-Nations and World Cups history and success.
In fact, Plum might just be doing the Bulls a huge favour by heaping PRESSURE on them….
Gbs,you still have much to learn about how us English folk speak 🙂
9@ Winnie – Jy kan my flokkollll vertel van Ingels….. jy moet een ding onthou, ek was met ‘n Ingelse Whenwe getroud vir 11 jaar….. so ek kan vlot vry en baklei in Ingels!!
Hehehe
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