Muller: 'Winning is everything'
Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:45
Sweet taste of victory: Johann Muller
The Sharks are raring to go this Saturday after enjoying a bye over the Easter Weekend, with skipper Johan Muller insisting their sole focus is on beating the Reds.
Some quarters are suggesting that the Sharks have one foot on the plane ahead of their five-week tour of Australia and New Zealand.
But Muller ensures that his team are not thinking about the long journey just yet.
"We aren't speaking about the tour, we have the Reds this weekend and that's the most important thing for us," Muller told the Sharks official website.
"We will start the tour on Sunday, so Saturday is the big one for us.
"We know the Reds are going to be tough, so that’s all we're focused on and preparing for," added the skipper.
Muller said that the bye could not have come at a better time for the unbeaten Durban franchise.
"The break came at a really good time for us," said Muller.
"You could see in training this week that the intensity is there, the guys are hungry and keen to get going again," he added.
The Reds have a history of upsetting the Sharks, and Muller agrees that they will need to be on top of their game if they want to continue their winning streak.
"They are a really good side," agrees Muller.
"They beat the Current Super 14 champs [the Bulls] by 40 points two weeks ago and it is going to be tough.
"They play in Brisbane where the weather is very similar to Durban's - hot, humid and muggy.
"But it isn't about them, it's about us, our preparation has been great and we just need to keep it up for Saturday," a focused Muller added.
Muller was hoping for the weather to play ball on Saturday so that his team could play a more expansive game.
But he added that a win was the most important thing, no matter how it was achieved.
"Hopefully the weather on Saturday is cool," he said,
"If it is we'll try to have a bit more of a go than we have but it all depends on how the game turns out," he explained.
"But you know, if we win 13 out of 13 games and don't get a single bonus point, we'll still be in a home semi and probably home Final.
"For us, at this stage, we'd like to play the kind of rugby we know we can play, and what people want to see, but winning is the priority and we have to make sure the game is won before we start throwing the ball around," added Muller.
The Sharks find themselves in a similar position from last year, and are well placed to challenge for a home semifinal place.
The skipper has been happy with results so far, but realises the tough part of the tournament begins on Saturday.
"We are doing really well, we're doing enough to win every game, and that’s the most important thing," he said.
"The time will come, and I said that at the beginning of the season.
"When we are going to play an expansive game, when we throw the ball around and it's going to be exciting to watch, and exciting for us to play, but for us, the first phase of our campaign is now over and we achieved what we wanted to.
"But the second phase is going to be really important for us - it starts this weekend against the Reds and then we have a five week tour.
"Winning is the most important thing for us at this stage," he added.
Winning on Saturday is paramount for the Sharks in order to keep the momentum going ahead of their tough overseas tour.
And Sharks fans will be expecting nothing less from their team.
