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Sharks head coach John Plumtree said positives could be taken from how the Sharks made the second half their own, shutting down Ulster and clawing back for the win.
Nick Timoney of Ulster poswers past Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi during the game. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Sharks head coach John Plumtree said his side were pushed hard for their win against Ulster in Belfast on Saturday, but the desire they showed to pull off the comeback victory bodes well for the rest of the United Rugby Championship.
The Sharks mustered from a 19–5 deficit at half-time to beat Ulster 22–19 in their final away game before the play-offs.
With home matches against Ospreys and Scarlets left, the Sharks are well-placed to possibly overtake the Bulls, who are five points ahead of them at third on the log, or hold off Cardiff, who are seven points behind in fifth place.
Should the Sharks remain fourth, they will host their quarter-final against the team finishing fifth.
The Sharks’ win against Ulster came courtesy of scores by Makazole Mapimpi, Emmanuel Tshituka and Jurenzo Julius, with Jordan Hendrikse contributing two conversions and a penalty.
“We were pretty slow at the start. There were just too many errors and we didn’t build enough pressure in the first half,” Plumtree said, alluding to Ulster’s blistering opening that saw them score two tries within the first nine minutes.
“There were some defensive lapses. We were chasing the game from pretty early on, but 10 minutes from half-time, we started playing some better footie. We were a bit unlucky not to go 19–10 at the break with the TMO decision, which I thought was pretty rough. Anyway, that’s the way it goes.”
He was referring to a try that was overturned following a television match official review, which found a forward pass in the build-up. It was an extremely tight call.
“In the second half, we continued where we left off in the first half. [We] dominated the gain line. The boys’ confidence came back up and we scored,” the Sharks coach continued. “Then we thought we could get the game if we got the right amount of territory and possession.
“So it was another great test for us around our ability to hang in the fight and stay in contention, close it out for the win.
“So some real positives around our willingness to win close games, but we’ve got a lot to do if we want to win this championship. That’s what we will endeavour to do when we get back home.”
The Sharks will host 11th-placed Ospreys on 9 May, and seventh-placed Scarlets on 17 May.
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