Decision-making key for Sharks against ‘super-conservative’ Ospreys

The Sharks expect the Ospreys to bring a strong kicking game and squeeze them up front, and that means turnover ball and territory is going to be crucial for the visitors in their United Rugby Championship match in Swansea on Friday night.

The Ospreys have started their URC campaign with wins over the Cardiff Blues and the Dragons, but coach Toby Booth is looking for more improvement from his side. He has already promised his team will be committed to a high-energy display and bringing set-piece dominance again; and the huge presence of British and Irish Lions captain Alun-Wyn Jones will be involved, either starting or off the bench.

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“Ospreys are super-conservative, they give away very few penalties and give you nothing,” Sharks coach Sean Everitt said.

“Compared to Glasgow Warriors, who are similar to what we are used to from a Super Rugby side, Ospreys have more of a kicking game and they rely on penalties from the set-piece.

“In their first game, they kicked for more than a thousand metres, so they rely on your mistakes to capitalise on.

“We always look to counter-attack, but you have to get the decision-making right. We enjoy having ball-in-hand and we are very good at it, but unfortunately these teams over here don’t give you turnover ball, they are really disciplined and look after the ball well.

“So we have got to make use of our opportunities and not take for granted that we will get more opportunities. At the same time, you have to be playing in the right part of the field so you don’t put yourself under pressure.”

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The Sharks, like all the other South African teams, are at the other end of the log to the fourth-placed Ospreys after losing their opening two matches, but Everitt believes they are heading in the right direction.

“I think our performance has improved immensely over the last two weeks and it’s only a loss if you don’t learn,” he said.

“We have 12 senior players out so we are playing mostly youngsters, but it’s a massive opportunity for them to learn.

“South Africans have to be realistic, our franchises have not had international competition for close on 20 months and it’s very tough over here, they play a different brand of rugby.”

Kick-off on Friday is at 8.35pm (SA time).