Discipline the key to beating Sharks

Editor

Crusaders skipper Kieran Read has underlined the importance of not giving away penalties in their semi-final against the Sharks.

Crusaders skipper Kieran Read has underlined the importance of not giving away penalties in Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final against the Sharks.

The Sharks used their infamous strangling tactics to squeeze out a victory against the odds in Christchurch the last time these teams met, and with Pat Lambie back to complement Frans Steyn, the hosts know that offering opportunities to kick for goal or for territory will be fatal.

“We have spoken about that all week,” Read told stuff.co.nz

“They kick a lot of penalties and on the back of penalties they get field position with their line-out drives as well. I know it is going to be be a big test for us not to give them any free 'outs' there.

“We don't want to be giving away cheap penalties, really. We want to give nothing away to them because if we do he (Steyn) will just knock them over and keep the scoreboard ticking.

“I'm certainly expecting them to keep to their strengths which is their scrum, their line-out maul and knocking over penalties. I don't think too much will change.

“Hopefully if we have the conditions to suit us we will be able to play a bit of footy.”