The Sharks coach mentioned they’d now goal bonus-point wins from all 4 remaining URC video games to have an opportunity at reaching playoffs.
Sharks coach JP Pietersen has turned his sights to the United Rugby Championship after his aspect’s Problem Cup last-16 exit on Friday evening.
The Sharks fell 29-12 to Connacht, unable to construct on 4 Jean Smith penalties within the first half that gave them a 12-7 lead on the break.
As a substitute, the Irish aspect scored three tries and a penalty and stored the Sharks scoreless within the second half to safe the win in moist and windy Galway.
It ended the Sharks’ run within the EPCR after dropping out of the higher-tier Champions Cup with two wins out of 4 within the pool levels.
It was one thing of a repeat of final yr, when the Sharks dropped out of the Champions Cup pool stage with only one win, and misplaced 34-21 to Lyon within the Problem Cup last-16.
Then-coach John Plumtree rested a few dozen Springboks and frontline gamers for the knockout, whereas Pietersen went with out a number of as a result of accidents this yr.
Nonetheless, Springboks Vincent Koch, Ox Nché, Edwill van der Merwe, Vincent Tshituka, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi and returning lock Eben Etzebeth lent their abilities to the crew however have been unable to show the end result.
‘Lack of focus’
“We’re clearly disillusioned to complete the second half like that,” Pietersen mentioned.
“We set ourselves up with a very good first half to dominate territory and possession. An absence of focus and self-discipline allow us to down, freely giving penalties so they might kick into the corners and put us beneath stress.
“They took their alternatives after they got here into our 22.”
He mentioned he wished the Sharks may have transformed extra alternatives within the first half to offer themselves a much bigger lead on the break.
“They defended nicely. It’s a disappointing feeling.”
Nevertheless, Pietersen mentioned the Sharks may take confidence from their first-half efficiency in powerful situations, with two of their 4 remaining URC matches to be performed in doubtlessly related moist and windy situations away to Ospreys and Edinburgh.
“And… we didn’t surrender. We may have simply misplaced by 50 factors with the possession and territory Connacht had. To remain within the battle till the final minute exhibits there may be grit and battle within the group.”
Sharks search 80-minute efficiency
He mentioned a full 80-minute efficiency had eluded the Sharks this season. They’d been “very up and down in consistency”, however would wish to type that out earlier than taking over Ospreys on 18 April.
After Edinburgh the next week, the Sharks return house to play Benetton and Zebre.
The Sharks are tenth on the URC desk with 5 wins from 14 video games. They’ve 33 factors, six factors adrift of ninth-placed Connacht and 7 behind eighth-placed Bulls.
Pietersen mentioned they may overview the sport and determine sturdy factors and work-ons, whereas needing to make a plan for accidents.
“We’ll go once more for the final 4, and go all out. It’s a chance for us to get 20 factors to set us up for a attainable top-eight end.”
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