Q and A with Matt Stevens

Preparation

In terms of our preparation, we’ve prepared brilliantly. We have a fit team and we’re raring to go and looking forward to playing the best side in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be a tough challenge, but one we are looking forward to.

Rugby Style - North v South

There is a bigger focus on forward play in the North, but at the Sharks we are pretty keen on forward play too. We’re looking forward to this challenge, it’s good for us to test ourselves against a team like Toulon, filled with internationals, some of the best players in the world. I think they will be keen to toss the ball around as well, so we don’t expect it to be a game of north versus south. Toulon have a number of players from the Southern Hemisphere, they like to play a bit, offload the ball. Yes, they have big, strong ball-carriers and they will be very physical, but they also have the kind of players who can play wide and some serious strike runners. I guess it’s going to be a great game in terms of two good teams meeting up against each other. It will be physical, but it will also be about making the right decisions at the right time and looking to attack as well.

Pre-season Progress

The way we’ve trained is as close as possible to how intense a rugby game is, that’s where the coaches have got it right and the boys are as prepared as they can be to playing top flight rugby. With the guys being in such good shape, we’re very positive about where the team is right now.

Toulon game as preparation for the Cheetahs game next week

The Cheetahs are a team that like a driving game, which Toulon do too, they drive a lot of their lineout ball, so that will be a good test for us. What’s also been indicative of Cheetahs rugby over the past 15 years or so is their ability to play a bit looser and throw the ball around. That’s something Toulon do well. So playing Toulon, the best team on paper in the Northern Hemisphere in terms of club rugby, playing them will give us the best preparation to playing anyone after this.

Kickoff on Thursday is at 10pm - South African time.

The Sharks are expected to name their team tomorrow.

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

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