Sharks in 'self-demolition mode'

REACTION: It was certainly a huge embarrassment when the defending Currie Cup Champions Sharks suffered a 20-27 defeat to the Pumas last weekend.

The Sharks, expecting not to drop any more points, were left red-faced when their lesser-rated opposition the Pumas overturned an eight-point deficit at half-time for the victory at the Mbombela Stadium.

It was the Pumas' first win of the season. The result kept their play-off hopes alive while for the Sharks  it left them in sixth place just one point above the bottom dwellers the Blue Bulls

“We’re very disappointed with the result against the Pumas,” head coach Sean Everitt revealed in an interview on the franchise's official website.

“I felt that we started off really well in the first half, put ourselves in a good position to get the result and then the team went into a self-demolition mode in the second half.”

The Duban-based side were in control and when you looked at the stats not only did they outscore the Nelspruit team three tries to two, they also were good on attack beating 22 defenders compared to Pumas' eight. However it was the defence and their lack of discipline which placed them on the backfoot.

MATCH REPORT: Pumas v Sharks

According to Rugbypass stats, the side missed 18 tackles and conceded 23 turnovers and 12 penalties, which is certainly alarming figures for any team desperate to secure a playoff spot.

“Individual errors crept in, we gave away penalties, we gave away a yellow card and we pretty much didn’t give ourselves an opportunity,” he explained

“We have to go back to the drawing board, work hard this week and work on our individual skills and put in a better performance against Free State.”

This weekend will be the Sharks' final round-robin home match against the Cheetahs. After that they travel to Loftus Versfeld to take on the Blue Bulls.

Source: @rugby365com and @TheSharksZA