Sharks can’t be distracted by severely depleted Chiefs

The Sharks forwards will once again be the targets as they host the Chiefs in their Super Rugby game at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday, with all the talk of the visitors being massively weakened for the match being a dangerous distraction for the home side.

For all the injuries and All Black camp commitments, the Chiefs have still only made five changes to the side that beat the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend and only two of those are in the pack.

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The only players missing from the tremendous effort to get the better of the powerful Stormers pack are key lock Brodie Retallick and hooker Nathan Harris.

Given how the Sharks came off second-best against the Bulls pack, which was monstered by the Stormers, last weekend and the fact that the Chiefs have the most successful scrum in the competition, the home side will be approaching Saturday’s match with some caution.

The Sharks are desperate for some consistency in their roller-coaster season and the fact that they have won their last two matches at home – against the Stormers and Highlanders – is cause for optimism that they might at least be able to turn Kings Park into something of a fortress for their three remaining home fixtures.

“We have the same log points as the Jaguares and Bulls so we are big time in the race, we’re by no means out of it. We have five more games, so it’s all to play for. But we can’t afford any slip-ups. Our exits weren’t good enough last weekend so we need to work on that and conceding two soft tries is always a concern as well. Discipline is also top of our focus points and getting two yellow cards is not good enough.

“But there’s a great spirit and energy in the team, they are keen to get out there and rectify last weekend’s mistakes, there’s a really good vibe. Winning comes first, then getting a bonus point would be great. But it’s not a consideration, we won’t change the way we play, if the bonus point comes then it comes,” coach Robert du Preez said.

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