The Sharks have been dealt an injury blow after teenage prospect Luan Giliomee was forced off during their 21-15 Vodacom URC win against Cardiff in Durban.
The 19-year-old, who made an immediate impact on debut against Munster last week, saw his second appearance for the club end prematurely, with the nature and extent of the injury still unclear.
Sharks coach JP Pietersen admitted it was a tough blow for both player and squad.
“It’s hard. The backs are falling and it got me thinking maybe I need to put my boots back on just to give us a boost.
“It obviously tests the character of the squad with injuries.
“Gilly coming off, it’s unlucky and unfortunate that this happened to him. It’s a setback but I’m sure he’ll bounce back. It gives the next guy the chance to step up.”
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Despite the disruption, the Sharks produced a strong first-half display to take control of the contest.
“We started the game fast and obviously Cardiff are a quality side, they came right back at us and put us under pressure.
“We scored two quick tries, but then we just felt like we needed a change of momentum and sent the [replacement] front row on to give us that edge. And it came off.
“It was good to finish the half 21-12 up. It gave us lots of confidence for the second half.”
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Pietersen was particularly pleased with his side’s dominance at the set-piece, which laid the platform for their attacking success.
“We took control of the game at the set-piece. We scrummed well and we scrummed for penalties and obviously the maul went well. When we got into the 22 in the first half, we scored tries.
“In the second half we failed to convert. We were a bit sloppy in the territory and kicking game and I wish we could’ve been better. It’s a good learning as we go on the road.”
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Challenging conditions also played their part.
“Handling the ball was extremely difficult,” said Pietersen. “The ball was slipperier than a bar of soap and I think we did well to score three tries in those conditions. In the second half we just couldn’t get one more pass. We were close to the line many times but just couldn’t get that last pass to get over the line.”
Looking ahead, Pietersen made it clear that improvements are needed, particularly in game management.
“We’ll have a hard review and look at how we can get better. But there were also things we did well. Defensively we were good and only conceded two tries against a Cardiff team who can score from anywhere.
“What we need to work on is how to control the kicking and territory game and stay composed when we get into the 22.”
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The Sharks next travel to Ireland for their EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 clash against Connacht on Friday.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Injury heartbreak for rising star Giliomee appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
