Butch James has been retained at flyhalf by the Sharks for Saturday’s Super 12 rugby match against the Highlanders at Carisbrook.
Coach Kevin Putt, relishing the opportunity to pick from a full squad, retained the run-on side that lost 20-23 to the Brumbies last week.
James played at inside centre in the Sharks’ previous match but was switched back to his more accustomed position at number 10 last week and showed much improvement in controlling their game.
James will again have his mate Trevor Halstead on his outside, with former Scottish international Gregor Townsend moving to the bench again.
The Sharks felt hard done by against the Brumbies, questioning New Zealand referee Steve Walsh on a number of occasions — the most prominent being the sin-binning of halfback Craig Davidson and the last-minute penalty that ultimately won the game for the Brumbies.
But Putt said his team were looking to continue their good form against the Highlanders rather than dwell on the disappointments of the previous weekend.
The outspoken Putt, a former Waikato halfback, said the Highlanders were likely to feel the effects of the taxing trip from South Africa where they played last weekend.
”The Highlanders got into town only on Monday. [It’s] nice to know they have to go through what we did two weeks ago. It’s much easier with the time differences going from New Zealand to South Africa than vice versa,” he said.
Meanwhile, Highlanders captain Anton Oliver and forward coach Phil Young are expecting plenty of bite from the Sharks in Friday’s match at Carisbrook.
The Sharks, written off by the pundits before the competition, began with a win and a loss before controversial decisions robbed them of at least a draw against the unbeaten Brumbies last Saturday.
Joe Roff kicked the match-winner after the siren when two retreating Sharks’ players were penalised for off-side.
Earlier, outstanding halfback Craig Davidson had been sin-binned for what seemed a relatively trivial offence.
”We had a look at the tape of the game in Canberra and, if I was Putty [Sharks coach Kevin Putt] I’d be pretty upset about the result,” Young said on Thursday.
”They played bloody well. They’ll definitely have bite because they’ll be disappointed, justifiably, with that result.
”They know we’re just back from South Africa so they’ll give us a real crack. We know they’re waiting for us and it will be a battle.”
The Highlanders did not arrive home until Monday lunchtime and the Friday-night fixture has meant an extremely tight turnaround.
”It’s the same for other sides who go to Africa,” Young said.
”We’ve got to be positive and just get on with it.”
Oliver echoed Young’s sentiments after the captain’s run at Carisbrook on Thursday.
”Every team has to do it [play the week after returning from South Africa] and this week is tough.
”The Sharks have been lying in wait and they’ll be focusing on tipping us over.
”With Balie Swart, former Highlanders technical adviser and now Sharks assistant coach having been here last year, he knows all the players — it’s going to be hard.
”They showed themselves to be a really good side against the Brumbies last week.”
Young said a strong first-up performance at Carisbrook by the Highlanders was essential.
”We respect our supporters and we want to play well not only for ourselves but for them. We owe it to them. It’s really good to be home.”
Young said the Highlanders were disappointed not to have closed the Bulls down and win rather than draw in Pretoria last weekend.
”No finger’s being pointed at anyone but we just want to fix a few things.
”Everybody’s trying hard — possibly they might be trying too hard. We’ve just got to compose ourselves to be a bit more clinical in certain areas.”
The Sharks have a sprinkling of Springboks who will challenge the Highlanders individually.
They include captain and hooker John Smit, who will oppose Oliver, lock AJ Venter, the inside duo of Davidson and Butch James, centre Trevor Halsted, wing Deon Kayser and slippery fullback Brent Russell.
Flanker Luke Watson was outstanding against the Brumbies and the Sharks have a loose trio that will test the Highlanders.
There have been some thrillers between the teams, two being decided by a solitary point.
The Highlanders have won all four at Carisbrook but three by seven points or less. It may well be that close again on Friday. — Sapa-NZPA