Something to be said for positivity - but not for blind optimism.

Courtesy of Supersport.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has refused to give up their pursuit of the Super Rugby play-offs despite losing more games than they have managed to win this season.

The Durban outfit, fresh from a bye over the weekend, host another high-flying New Zealand team this week when the fifth-placed Highlanders come to town on Saturday.

The Sharks last played the Chiefs at Kings Park 10 days ago, with the match ending in disappointment as the home side were beaten 18-12.

Plumtree conceded the next five weeks would be a 'crunch period' for his side.

“We have a massive five games coming up before the June break, although our main focus right now is on the Highlanders,” the Sharks boss said.

“If we want to do something in this competition, we know that we have to be successful over all those games before the break."

Three of those matches are on home turf with this week's match followed by the Force in Durban, a trip to the Cheetahs, the visit of the Stormers and an away game with the Lions.

Despite the Sharks losing five out of their nine games this season, the majority of losses came with bonus-points and Plumtree believes that will be crucial when the league phase of the competition reaches its closing stages.

“A lot of our games have been extremely close and the bonus points have helped us stay in touch with the teams around us,” he said.

"So we're not far away, we've just got to keep boxing on, believing in each other and working hard. That's going to be key.

“A lot of people out there will think I'm dreaming, but we believe in ourselves and we want to do well. If we can sort out some things internally, then we'll be alright.”

Plumtree said his players all knew what was at stake in the coming weeks.

“We have to improve and there are certain things we need to get right for that to happen and that's what we're focusing on at the moment.

“Our preparation has to be more accurate – it's little things like that – we're hoping will make a difference starting with this week.”

There were also plenty of positives on the injury front for the Sharks with the biggest boost set to come in the front row where Tendai Mtawarira is likely to play his first game of Super Rugby this year.

The Springbok prop, who cracked a bone in his right ankle during February, played in back-to-back Vodacom Cup matches over the past two weeks, while fellow players set to return were Odwa Ndungane (groin) and Ryan Kankowski (finger).

“We've got a couple of guys back who could come in for consideration for selection which is good for us,” Plumtree added.

“A few played down in Cape Town for the Sharks XV, so our injury list is getting shorter and shorter and we have a few fit guys coming back into the group.”

Courtesy of Rugbyweek.

Mitchell has made minimal changes to his starting XV and as they are coming off a bye weekend, the Lions are looking in a better shape than two weeks ago for their Super Rugby clash against the Brumbies at Ellis Park on Friday.

They will need all of this and more against the Australian conference leaders, where former Springbok coach Jake White is at the helm.

The Johannesburg franchise have now lost six successive matches in this year’s competition, and look to turn the tide before embarking on their Australasian tour next week.

Lions coach John Mitchell said they were still resolute in their playoffs ambitions and that his charges needed a favourable result to kick-start their resurgence.

“It’s always been a goal to make the playoffs in this competition,” Mitchell said.

“And that is still alive. Clearly, we’ve got to come up with a positive experience.

“Until we become totally accurate, we are not going to present ourselves with that opportunity.

“It is still a long way to go in this competition, there are still nine games, and it is a lot of rugby.”

The visitors are favourites, but historically, have not had positive experiences at Ellis Park — having not won in the Lions’ den in five years.

Their last victory came in 2007, where they won 14-9.

The Lions also had the better of the Brumbies in Canberra with a 29-20 victory last year.

Mitchell, however, has great admiration for the tourists and is aware of the challenge his troops face on Friday night.

“I love the way the Brumbies are playing at the moment, I love their attitude,” he said.

“I think, transitionally, they are very quick between the attack and defence, and they are playing an exciting brand of football.

“We are going to have to go the full 80 minutes.

“The Brumbies remind us a lot about us, last year in the Currie Cup.

“They play with a lot of energy and clearly they have few reputations in their group, so that impresses me even more.”

Mitchell said he expected the Brumbies to organise a lot of their attack around scrumhalf Nick White, with the Lions sure to target this area of their game.

“Clearly, number nine, Nick White, is quite fast and he’ll come with numbers,” Mitchell said.

“The Brumbies have always prided themselves with their intricate and subtle phase plays off nine.

“The first phase has also been a strong point with (former flyhalf and scrumhalf) Stephen Larkham and George Gregan in the coaching group.

“I certainly can still see some of that element in their play.”

The Lions will also hope to see their lineouts functioning properly — an area Mitchell fingered as a major cause of their woes.