“It’s Going To Be A Tough Game And Will Be A Great Occasion” – Norman Laker

 

DHL Stormers' Assistant coach Norman Laker is looking forward to working with a bolstered squad this week with Dan du Plessis, Herschel Jantjies and Warrick Gelant all available for selection in preparation for their United Rugby Championship Round 9 match against the Hollywoodbets Sharks at the DHL Cape Town Stadium at 19:00 (SA Time).

“It’s healthy competition that we have at the moment. There are guys doing well in the position and then there are guys returning from injury. It is always nice to have competition within the squad.”

Laker also said that the Hollywoodbets Sharks have had a tough season in the United Rugby Championship so far under new head coach John Plumtree, Winning only one from seven matches.

Laker acknowledged the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Springbok stars. “With that amount of experience in the team, if the penny drops on the day, they can beat anyone in the competition,” he said.

“Plumtree is new, there’s new players coming into the system and maybe they’re just struggling to find their feet. Once they do, they’ll be a tough team to beat."

“As a team, with a new coach, it’s never easy. But like I said, on the day if the passes can stick and they click as a group, it turns around their whole season, but hopefully, it doesn’t happen on Saturday!

“We struggled on tour, and so did the Sharks and they’re a quality outfit, quality individuals, they have eight guys who have a World Cup winners’ medal.”

“In this competition, you can’t take any team for granted and I think they can't perform on the weekend just because they’re not looking good on the log."

“It’s going to be a tough game and we’re looking forward to it, it will be a great occasion.”