Du Preez calls for improvement

Although the Sharks are firmly in contention for a place in Super Rugby's qualifying stages, their head coach, Robert du Preez, believes they can still improve.

While Du Preez admitted that he was happy with the team’s 37-12 win over the Western Force at the weekend, he felt that the performance lacked some finishing, given that the Sharks scored two more tries than the opposition, and four in total, but could not close out a fifth try to get the bonus point victory.

“We’re very happy with the win and four points, but it’s disappointing that we didn’t get the bonus point," he said after the match.

“There are still too many opportunities out there that we’re not taking.

“We played some really good rugby at times but our patience let us down on attack. The funny thing is that on defence we were really good, our discipline was excellent.”

At times, both sides struggled with ball handling and that was due to the heat and humidity. Again, the slippery ball was both sides’ nemesis at times.

Having himself played for the Sharks during the 1990s, Du Preez knows only too well how the humidity can affect the game.

“The conditions at Kings Park always play a role,” he admitted.

“I do think that the little individual errors when we got into their 22 proved costly even though it’s something we’ve really worked hard on. Still, I’m not happy with our conversion rate.”

He also paid the men from Perth respect for making it so difficult to score a bonus point try.

“The Force are a difficult side to play against," added Du Preez.

"Defensively, they’re very good so you have to work really hard for your tries.”

There was the welcome return to action for Pat Lambie, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s been out since sustaining an injury in the Round 3 clash with the Waratahs and looked his naturally calm and composed self when he replaced Curwin Bosch in the second half.

With Bosch now unavailable to the Sharks while he represents the South Africa U20 side at the Junior World Champs, the timing of Lambie’s recovery and fitness for action is perfect.

“I was very impressed, I’m always impressed when Pat Lambie plays,” said the coach.