Plumtree's set-piece concerns

Sharks coach John Plumtree has pinpointed his team's set-pieces as an area of concern ahead of their Currie Cup encounter with Western Province in Durban on Friday.

The Sharks, despite their youthful appearance, boast bucketloads of talent and could be a devastating force in the competition this year.

Following their 7-14 loss to the Golden Lions at the weekend, the Sharks are determined to get back on the winning track against a WP side that came unstuck in the Wellington rain against the Boland Cavaliers last week.

The Sharks struggled in the line-outs and scrums against a very impressive Lions pack and Plumtree is determined to rectify the problems before the Province clash.

"We really struggled in the set-pieces," Plumtree told this website.

"We just found it hard to secure possession in the scrums and the breakdowns, while we also lost six or seven of our line-outs.

"In the Super 14 one of the features of our game was the attacks we launched from the line-outs, and we just couldn't do that against the Lions. We lived off scraps."

But the Sharks did have some positives to take away from their loss to the Lions, in particular the attacking play of their backline.

"We tried something different, from our earlier strategy of playing close off the maul, when we scored our try," Plumtree said of their only score against the Lions.

"We have got to back our backs to get us across the line. They showed at Ellis Park that they can do it."

Another big boost for Plumtree was the superb play of wing Odwa Ndungane, who was out of position at fullback. Odwa, brother of Springbok Akona, is regarded by some pundits as better than his twin.

"Odwa is a great player and he gives us [extra] options," the coach said.

Plumtree will be using all of Ndungane's versatility during the Currie Cup, capitalising on his ability to play at either wing or fullback.

"We will be moving him from wing to fullback throughout the competition," said Plumtree.

Plumtree also revealed that young Rory Kockott would continue as the team's main goal-kicker this week, despite missing a number of shots at goal in the loss to the Lions.

By Gareth Green