Sharks braced for Crusaders onslaught

It's the first time the Durban-based team are facing New Zealand opposition in this year's tournament. They started their campaign with wins against the Southern Kings, Jaguares and Stormers before playing out a 16-16 draw with the Bulls at Loftus this past weekend.

The Crusaders are coming off a 57-24 win against the Kings in Round Four.

"It's definitely a different challenge," said Claassens "I think they [Crusaders] test your defence properly. 

"In the South African derbies the guys just carry the ball and go into contact, whereas they offload all the time so you have to make sure you are on top of your defensive game. If you make one mistake or if you kick badly they are going to punish you.

"Looking back at the Bulls game, we did not play well in the first half and the reason being was because we did not attack well and we did not hold onto the ball. If you do that against the Crusaders, they are going to punish you."

The Sharks were on the receiving end of a 10-52 thrashing at the hands of the Crusaders in Durban last year and although Claassens was not part of the Sharks' squad back then, he feels that it is still fresh in the memories of some of his teammates.

"I think some of the guys who played in that match will definitely have it in the back of their heads and we have to make sure that we are on top of our game, otherwise it will be a long day.

"They [Crusaders] have always been one of the top sides in the competition so it is going to be a very tough game. 

"A few of their players have moved on, but looking at them on the weekend, they are still very dangerous."

The Sharks were on the verge of beating the Bulls in a tense match at Loftus Versfeld, however flyhalf Joe Pietersen fluffed a routine penalty kick after the hooter.

Although the three points would have secured victory, Claassens said they were not blaming Pietersen. 

"We did not start well in the first half [against the Bulls]. We made a lot of mistakes, but the boys showed a lot of character in the second half and a lot of commitment by coming back.

"We had chances in the second half - there was two try scoring opportunities that we did not use. If we used them then the last kick would not have mattered," Claassens added.

By Warren Fortune

@rugby365com