Nick Hatton reflects on unforgettable Sharks experience against the All Blacks

Sharks captain Nick Hatton reflects on the unforgettable experience of playing against the All Blacks. Hatton believes that being part of such a historic occasion is something that not many clubs get to do, and his team played with pride and effort. He had a front-row seat for the haka and Ma'a Nonu's retort to the famous battle challenge, which he found emotional.

Nonu, who has been with the Sharks for less than two weeks, made an immediate impact on the team, particularly with the young backs. Coach JP Pietersen was proud of his young team's effort, but also acknowledged that they were outgunned, especially in the second half. The Sharks were in touch with the visitors at half-time, but the All Blacks dominated in the last half an hour, finishing with a massive score of 54-0.

Pietersen was clear about his team's approach to playing in the upcoming United Rugby Championship, wanting his players to go for it and apply pressure. He also emphasized that the players learned a lot from the game, particularly in terms of game management, as they prepare for the next six or seven weeks of pre-season training.