Cell C SharksPatrick LambieYou can’t get better than a four try bonus point win over the Bulls to start your Vodacom Super Rugby campaign, but judging from the talk coming out of the Cell C Sharks camp, the thirst for perfection is a long way from being quenched.

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Indeed, if flyhalf Patrick Lambie is to be believed, the Sharks are still some way from becoming completely familiar with what new coach Jake White wants from them – which sure is an ominous warning to future opponents if ever there was one.

The Sharks face the Hurricanes in their second match at Growthpoint Kings Park this coming Saturday, and Lambie says they will be looking to improve on several aspects of their 31-16 win over the three time Super Rugby champions.

“We worked very hard in the pre-season on the systems and structures of how Jake wants to play, but it is going to take a little time to execute them better,” said the Sharks pivot.

“However, four tries in the Durban humidity is a nice place to start. Jannie du Plessis did some research into how often a try scoring bonus point has been secured in a first round match at Kings Park, and he battled to find any cases.”

One of the impressive aspects of the Sharks performance from the vantage point of the press box was the clinical finishing, but Lambie believes there were still opportunities that were left on the table.

“From a backs point of view, we scored a great try from phase play, which we were quite chuffed about, But we had a few four-on-three opportunities, and even four-on-two opportunities, that we didn’t capitalise on. In Super Rugby you don’t get many opportunities where you have a numerical advantage, so we need to be more efficient.”

That the Sharks are looking to be more efficient when efficiency was a hallmark of their opening victory is surely a sign that they won’t be satisfied until they hit the perfect note in performance, with musical metaphor being drawn on by Lambie to describe what White expects from him as the flyhalf.

“Jake wants me to ‘read the music’ and have a go when it is on. He wants me to take charge and control the forwards. I think if I can get better and better with that each week, we will be in a good place. There is an outline of how Jake wants us to play, which is necessary at this level, but he is also big on making us react to what is in front of us.”

One Response to Super Rugby: Sharks – Lambie & Sharks chasing perfection

  • 1

    Well we not there yet so that is pleasing that we still can get better. Our forwards lost the battle I thought against the Bulls last week, so hoping we get better there. Our backs though were superb.

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