Sharks peaking for cracking Final
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:08
Grand finale: Who will rise to the occasion - Sharks or Bulls?
The Sharks and Blue Bulls are already gearing up for what promises to be a "cracking" Currie Cup Final in Durban next Saturday, October 25.
In the immediate aftermath of the weekend's semifinals - in which the Sharks smashed the Lions 29-14 and the Bulls overpowered the Free State Cheetahs 31-19 - both the finalists said they can't wait for the big day.
The Sharks suggested they are "peaking" at the right time of the season after a slow start, while the Bulls are so keen to get on with it that they are ready to play this week.
While the two-week break does pose a threat in terms of continuity for the two teams - with the first round of Currie Cup promotion/relegation matches stealing the spotlight this week - both the finalists in South Africa's premier domestic competition said they will immediately start preparations for the grand finale.
Sharks captain Johann Muller said it was "fantastic" to get a home Final, but pointed out they had won nothing yet.
"The first half we played some great rugby, tactically we were perfect," he said of his team's win over the Lions, but soon enough turned his attention to the Final.
"There's a lot of work left in the next two weeks, looking towards the Final.
"We started slow this season, but since the fourth week we build nice momentum. We have played some really good rugby and we have a great squad, some fantastic players and the coaching staff has been great.
"We are building and peaking at the right time [for the Final].
"It is now all about us and we have to make sure we are in perfect shape for the Final."
Wing Stefan Terblanche, one of the stars in the semifinal, also spoke of the buildup in the next fortnight.
"Two more weeks of hard graft and hopefully we can bring some silverware back to Durban," he said of a team that last won the Currie Cup in 1996.
John Plumtree, the Sharks coach, said he was "proud" of his team.
"Our kicking game was good and we chased well with it," he said, adding that the early scores - a 13-0 lead inside as many minutes - is what gave his team the edge.
"Our defence was good, even though we let ourselves down a couple of times, but allround it was pretty good. We did slow down a bit in the second half, but by that time the contest was over," he said of his team's 26-7 half-time lead.
