Pietersen Questions Uncontested Scrum Tactics After URC Defeat

Hollywoodbets Sharks coach JP Pietersen rued missed opportunities and controversial “uncontested scrums” following a 17-21 loss to the Ospreys on Saturday.

Despite 61% territory, the Durban side dropped to 11th in the URC, severely denting their top-eight playoff hopes.

“We got a lot of territory and possession and played some great rugby,” said Pietersen.

“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,” he continued.

“There seemed to be a lack of concentration, by losing the ball and letting Ospreys off the hook, without converting opportunities into points.”

The Sharks enjoyed strong starts to both halves and camped inside the Ospreys twenty-two but lacked the efficiency to put points on the board, adding further pressure to their own plight. 

With game statistics of 55% possession and 61% of territory, it’s not overly complicated to see where the Sharks went wrong. 

“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 results in the unforced errors we saw,” added Pietersen.

The 54th minute saw the introduction of Springbok juggernauts Ox Nche and Vincent Koch to the fold, and although scrum dominance was immediately entrenched, the injury to Ospreys prop Garyn Phillips – scorer of the final Ospreys try – meant that the scrums then went uncontested.

“In the second half, we got more dominance through the scrums, when Ox and Vincent Koch came on. Unbelievable three scrums, dominated them and scrummed them off the ball,” said a pleased Pietersen.

“That was good to see, and obviously we were 5 meters out from the line, we scrum them off the ball. We only get a five-metre scrum back; their prop gets injured.”

Pietersen was left bemused by this and less than convinced at the antics deployed by the opponents. 

“To be honest, that is a question mark. We don’t know, did he get injured, or were the Ospreys taking the contest away from us?”

“We were confident that we could have got a scrum penalty, which would have changed the game probably. 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.”

There was a contentious moment as Luke Morgan landed on Ethan Hooker while he was grounding the ball for his try on the cusp of half-time, drawing an intense stare from the winger. The impact dislocated Hooker’s shoulder, an injury that would later force his withdrawal.

Morgan escaped without being penalised for his completely unnecessary act, which did not impress the Sharks’ head coach.

“Ethan’s injury was a massive blow for us. After scoring a try, the rules say you are not supposed to dive on a player, and rules are there to protect players, and sadly that did not happen,” said a disappointed Pietersen.

“He dislocated his shoulder. He is a massive presence for us, and to lose him after the first half was very disappointing and frustrating.”

A silver lining for the Sharks was the impressive performance of 18-year-old debutant Zekhethelo Siyaya.

Starting at fullback, Siyaya looked electrifying and adapted to the level with ease, showing no signs of being overawed.

“Zekhethelo Siyaya at fullback on debut 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, 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.”

The result has seen Ospreys overtake the Sharks in the URC table as the Durban side drops to 11th.

“We are very disappointed not to have come away with the result.”

The Sharks will want to put this result behind them as they prepare for Friday night’s encounter against Edinburgh.