As the Hollywoodbets Sharks get ready to take on Edinburgh in tonight’s United Rugby Championship clash in Scotland, they will look to turn that glimmer of hope they still hold in their hands into a winning performance.
For head coach JP Pietersen, this match is about taking the good from last week and making it excellent.
“We dominated the game when you look at territory and possession, we just didn’t get the result on the scoreboard and that hurts.
“So we’re looking at how we can be more ruthless when we get opportunities in the opposition 22 because our conversion record isn’t good, so we know, as a group, where we can get better.
“We’re creating opportunities when we play with intent and physicality, now it’s about being more clinical.”
For a team disappointed at the outcome of the last match, but with a determination to change that this week, Pietersen accepts that his role is about lifting the players through and past the negativity.
“As a coach and leader, you need to bring the energy and lead. Andre has also been good in helping the players, we’ve spent some really good time together over here and there’s good connection.”
This match should have plenty of fireworks. Historically the teams have had fiery clashes, and then add in the race to the 8 as further motivation.
“It’s always a niggly game here in Edinburgh, so we know what to expect from them. They’ve also not had the best of seasons, we’re in a similar boat, so we’ll both be looking to finish strong.
“We want to put a strong performance in, and not some of the time, but all of the time and hopefully the scoreboard reflects that.”
Pietersen is thrilled with his latest fullback, Westville High School’s Zekhethelo Siyaya who, despite still being a teenager, showed the kind of composure that made people look.
“The leap of faith I have [to select him] comes from what I learned from Dick Muir who said, ‘If he’s good enough, he’s old enough,’ and he’s shown that he’s definitely old enough.
“You could see enough in training sessions to give you confidence to pick them. With the scenario we’re in with injuries, it does give the next guy the opportunity of stepping up, and how good was Siyaya!
“He never looked like an 18-year-old on the field and it justified the faith to put this young guy into the team and to see him grab his opportunity.
“It was beautiful the way he plays with such freedom, he backs himself and that’s a massive positive for us as an organisation that we have another guy playing at 15.
“Hopefully he can kick on, score some tries and do what he can do, I love seeing him play with such confidence.”
Despite the disappointment of losing last week, there’s still a chance of making the top 8 and that creates hope.
“There’s light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully we can grab this opportunity.”