AJ 'stoked' with Sharks' composure
Mon, 12 May 2008 18:51
Sharks legends AJ Venter and Johan Ackermann
Sharks hard-man AJ Venter is under no illusions as to the task that awaits them this weekend when they take on the Chiefs in the final game of the Super 14 round-robin stages.
The evergreen Venter lead his young team with aplomb against the Cheetahs on the weekend - the result being five points in the bag - and a chance at making their second Super 14 semifinal in succession.
Venter has played a slightly less significant role this season, predominantly making an impact off the bench. However, he's started the last three games and his experience will no doubt be priceless in the Sharks' quest for Super 14 glory.
The 34-year-old's role cannot be underestimated. With the loss of John Smit, Butch James and Percy Montgomery after last year's campaign, the Sharks were crying out for some experienced heads.
Venter committed himself to the cause and answered Dick Muir's call.
The blond loose forward spoke exclusively to rugby365.com ahead of his team's colossal clash with the Chiefs on Saturday.
Venter admitted in the wake of their 33-14 win over the Cheetahs that the team were in good spirits ahead of their must-win game on Saturday.
"The guys are stoked," said an enthusiastic Venter.
"It's a good feeling to beat the Cheetahs after being dominated by them for so many years.
"Getting the five points right at the end was a bit of a nailbiter, but the guys came to the party at the end with those two tries.
"But there's a bigger task ahead so it doesn't get any easier," Venter said of the Chiefs game.
The Sharks showed plenty of composure in the final few minutes when they were chasing that all-important fourth try. Not only did they manage to score the fourth try, but they managed a fifth on the stroke of full-time.
Venter was extremely satisfied with the way his team finished the game off in the closing stages.
"That's one of the things we've worked on over the last two or three weeks," he said of the Sharks' composure.
"We didn't have a great tour. We've lacked a bit of composure, we've lacked some discipline at the breakdown and at the end of movements. It's something we've worked on," added Venter, clearly chuffed that the hard work has paid off.
The Sharks fifth try, the second by Odwa Ndungane in as many minutes, pleased Venter no end.
"We didn't really need that fifth try," he said, although it might prove critical if the Sharks and Stormers end up on the same number of points. If that proves to be the case, points difference will come into play and Ndungane's try could prove the difference between the two sides.
Looking ahead to the Chiefs game, Venter said preparations were going well, despite some players sitting out practice on Monday.
"A few of the guys rested today [Monday]," noted the Springbok.
"Some of the guys have played every game so they are getting some time for their bodies to recover. But other than that things are going well," he added.
The Chiefs also have a chance of making the semifinals, albeit a much slimmer one than the Sharks, but Venter was not taking them lightly.
"They [the Chiefs] have been our bogey side at home," said Venter, aware of the fact that his side's opponents have beaten them twice in Durban from their four visits to the city.
"We are well aware of how hard it's going to be," he added.
The Chiefs have struggled at the breakdown this year. Both the Lions and the Stormers dominated this facet of play and came away with victories. But Venter scoffed at any suggestions that the loose trio of the Sharks will have it all their own way.
"They're good at competing on the ground," said the flank. "We will definitely have to be sharp in that area on Saturday."
The Sharks will know what needs to be done in terms of making the semifinal by the time kick-off arrives on Saturday. Their's is the final game of the weekend, so all the drama will have unfolded before kick-off in Durban.
Venter agreed when asked if this was an advantage.
"I suppose it is," he said.
"The fact that we will know how many points and tries we need to score will help. We don't know what's going to happen. We could be playing for second, third or fourth spot, or even be chucked out. That's the beauty of this weekend. It's so tight," explained the 34-year-old.
Venter, who retired from international rugby last year, chose to see out his Sharks contract which comes to an end at the conclusion of this year's Super 14. He is a loyal man who wanted to give something back to the Sharks in 2008.
Despite the presumption that Venter will hang up his boots at the end of this season, he hinted that the Durban faithful might not have seen the end of him.
"The body is feeling good," said the Sharks stalwart.
"I haven't played that much this season. I've been used off the bench quite a lot so the body has recovered from last year where I played 80 minutes in most of the games," added Venter.
So what are the chances of Venter turning out for his beloved Sharks in 2009?
"I don't know. It's early days but there's is always a possibility," he concluded.
Whatever happens in the future, Venter will be desperate to guide his team to the Super 14 play-offs this Saturday.
By Steve Farrell
