Sharks vs. Hurricanes: Patrick Lambie returns for Sharks to play against Hurricanes
Sharks will take on the Hurricanes during the round 10 of the Super Rugby 2011.
Sharks will be close to their full strength as they host the visitors at the Kings Park Stadium on Saturday April 23, 2011.
Sharks’ Fly Half Patrick Lambie probably will return to the action after the gap of five weeks. Patrick Lambie sustained an injury during the Sharks round five game against the Chiefs. Last week super rugby BYE came handy for the Sharks as a week off provided
few of their injured players (Lambie, Deysel) with enough time to recover from their respective injuries.
Sharks injuries vows initiated after their match against the Western Force, as Force played a highly physical and close tackling game. Force although lost the match leaving the Sharks bleeding.
Sharks started the season in top form winning all of their first four matches. They lost their first match during their game against the Crusaders played at Twickenham, first ever Southern hemisphere game played in the Northern Hemisphere.
Fly Half Patrick Lambie on Monday spent a full day with the team training. Patrick Lambie has recovered from this hand injury, which has kept him out of action against the opponents like Crusaders and Stormers.
While the BYE helped Sharks injured players to recover, BYE itself offers a stiff challenge to the team to re gain their momentum. Sharks went for BYE after winning a game against the Lions after losing three consecutively.
Sharks Coach, John Plumtree has expressed his concern over the teams focus and mindset after the bye.
He said, “We know what tends to happen after byes and I have addressed the team about it. I do not think it is a physical thing; it is a mental thing with players taking a while to ease their way back into the weekly match routine. So I have told the players
I want them to flick their mental switch on with immediate effect.”
Alongside Patrick Lambie, Sharks are expecting the return of Jean Deysel. However, Alistair Hargreaves has not recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained during Sharks match against the Stormers. Sharks Hooker, Bismarck du Plessis will suffering from
the sore shoulder will also miss the match.
Hurricanes are coming from their closely contested game against the Cheetahs. Hurricanes although did not delivered to their potential during the Super XV however they do have the players to offer a stiff challenge to the hosts.
Sharks are currently at the sixth place in the combined Super XV table with 29 points. A win alongside a bonus will enable Sharks to progress towards the Super XV leaders and most importantly provide them with the momentum, which they can carry in their
match against the Stormers.
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