JP Pietersen on poor Sharks showing: ‘It’s not nice to see’

Sharks coach JP Pietersen expressed disappointment following his team's 54-0 loss to the All Blacks, stating that it was unfortunate to witness such a scoreline. Despite the early lead at halftime, the All Blacks dominated in the second half, leaving the Sharks struggling to keep up. Pietersen acknowledged that his team had fought hard from the start but couldn't match the All Blacks' speed and intensity in the later stages of the game.

The coach emphasized that they were in pre-season and aimed to go for it, putting pressure on the opposition as much as they could during the opening match. In a heartening moment, former All Black Ma’a Nonu joined the Sharks for a short-term stint and honored his former team by performing a solo Haka after the All Blacks concluded their own.

Pietersen was touched by Nonu's gesture, noting that the former player was nervous about performing the haka solo but found it a sign of respect. Sharks captain Nick Hatton acknowledged the team's disappointment with their performance in the second half but recognized the significance of the occasion. He emphasized that while the loss was unfortunate, it was a great opportunity for the Sharks to face the All Blacks.

Hatton also stressed that now they should focus on pre-season preparations, aiming to improve their skills and come back stronger for the upcoming URC season.