Sharks coach JP Pietersen has questioned whether the Ospreys “took away the scrum contest” in Saturday’s Vodacom URC match in Swansea.
The Sharks suffered a 21-17 defeat that all but ended their playoff hopes.
In a tight encounter, the Sharks started to gain the upper hand at the set-piece after the introduction of Bok props Ox Nché and Vincent Koch off the bench.
However, when replacement Ospreys loosehead Garyn Phillips, who scored a try on the night, also went off injured, it meant that the home side played the last quarter with 14 men – and uncontested scrums.
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“In the second half we got more dominance through the scrums,” Pietersen said. “We had an unbelievable three scrums where we dominated them and scrummed them off the ball.
“That was good to see and obviously we were 5m out from the line. We scrummed them off the ball. We only get a 5m scrum back, then their prop gets injured.
“To be honest, that is question mark. We don’t know, did he get injured or were the Ospreys taking the contest away from us?
“We were confident of getting a scrum penalty, which probably would have changed the game.
“We don’t know for sure and I can’t talk on behalf of the Ospreys, but it certainly took the contest away from the game.”
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The Sharks coach also lamented his side’s inability to take their chances on the night.
“We got a lot of territory and possession, and played some great rugby, which was positive to see and showed that we can be good when we stick to the plan.
“In saying that, we were not clinical or ruthless enough when opportunities came, and we created enough opportunities when we got into their 22.
“There seemed to be a lack of concentration, by losing the ball and letting the Ospreys off the hook, and not converting opportunities into points.
“If you don’t take opportunities you put pressure on yourselves to get the next play in and the more pressure you put on yourselves … This resulted in the unforced errors we saw.”
Pietersen, though, was enthused by the debut performance of 18-year-old fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya.
“He was very impressive. He is just a kid, but did not look like a kid out there,” he said. “Like I said before the game, he has a mature head and a bright future ahead of him in the black and white jersey. He plays with freedom and exuberance and that is good to see.
“But we are very disappointed not to have come away with the result.”
The Sharks next take on Edinburgh at Hive Stadium on Friday night.
Photo: Gruffydd Thomas/Gallo Images
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