Reflecting on his side’s 24-23 Carling Currie Cup victory over Tafel Lager Griquas, Cell C Sharks head coach Etienne Fynn admitted to some nervous moments towards the end of the match.
Having built up a fairly sizeable lead at one point, the game turned on its head with Griquas threatening an upset victory. In the end, there was just one point in it, but it was the home side who prevailed.
“I’ve been involved with Sharks teams who have lost to Griquas first up, so there was the fear of a deja vu moment there… I’m very happy with the win,” he said after the victory.
“Too close for comfort aren’t the words to describe our feelings; both JP Pietersen and I were chewing our nails towards the end, although it was self-inflicted. Once the red card came and we were short a man, we let Griquas back in.”
But a win is a win is a win and the Cell C Sharks earned four points out of their first outing, something that hasn’t always happened in round one against Griquas, even at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Fynn admitted that there were a number of positives to take out of the game.
“The effort was there and it was consistent,” he said. “And when we stuck to our game plan and executed, it worked. So there will be belief going forward that plans put into place will work if they are accurately executed.
“There were were also some guys who hadn’t played for a while at this level and that’s another positive that they have now had some game time.
“But for me most of all, the effort was there and that’s a massive positive.”
There are always lessons from a match and he acknowledged there will be some work-ons ahead of the next fixture.
“Clearly the lineout was an issue, I don’t think it’s a structural problem but more about identifying the open areas and taking advantage of them. I think there was a bit of panic in that area.
“Game management as well as line and pole-kicking: when points are on offer, you take them.
“There is also understanding the context of the game, the pressure being felt, and playing within the context of the game. It’s also vital that game drivers stick to the game strategy.”
Constant improvement has been a catchphrase within the Cell C Sharks coaching structure and Fynn acknowledges the value of this.
“Anything sustainable is only achievable through incremental gain, so a tweak here and there, improvements in the areas identified, that’s the only way the collective will improve and grow a team and make sure you can compete for 80 minutes.”
With the next Currie Cup taking place in Cape Town against DHL Western Province on Wednesday February 2nd, Fynn outlined the way forward for him and his Cell C Sharks team.
“We have some sore bodies and some injuries, so these will be assessed. We will also analyse the game and identify areas we need to work on.”