Scrumhalf Louis Schreuder says the Sharks have to improve their accuracy and execution if they hope to clinch a much-needed win over the Blues this Saturday, writes CRAIG LEWIS.

A strong Sharks squad came into this season with high expectations, but it has not been matched by the on-field performances at the start of the competition, with the Durban-based side having managed just a solitary victory from five games.

Last Friday’s heavy 46-14 loss to the Rebels particularly exposed some of the Sharks’ issues on defence, while they failed to display any real cohesion with ball in hand.

It’s left the Sharks needing to dig themselves out of a hole if they are to resurrect a campaign that has quickly lost momentum, resulting in a downward slide to 10th place on the overall standings.

The Sharks still have to contend with two more challenging overseas clashes against the Blues and Hurricanes, and Schreuder told SARugbymag.co.za on Tuesday that there had been some honest introspection since last weekend’s defeat to the Rebels.

‘We’re very disappointed coming off two losses in Australia. Obviously, we would have targeted the first two games to get a few points out of that, and the result against the Rebels especially hurt because we really backed ourselves to respond after the loss to the Brumbies the week before. The mood is a bit down, but we have to move on quickly because we’re now facing a good Blues team.

‘We need to sharpen up on our basics and fundamentals, and execute the game plan we’ve been working on,’ he added. ‘We have to trust our systems and to take ownership of the unforced errors we’ve been making, which you just can’t afford at this level. We know we have to cut out those mistakes, especially in our own half and with ball in hand.’

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The Blues find themselves in a similarly desperate position after picking up just one win from four games, and while the Auckland-based side will be without superstar Sonny Bill Williams due to injury, they did enjoy the benefit of a bye last weekend.

Schreuder said they were well aware of what threats the Blues could offer when they get their game going.

‘The Blues are an unpredictable side, but they have a big running game like a lot of the New Zealand teams. I think they were quite unlucky in the first couple of matches that they lost by narrow margins, and there’s no doubt that they’re a quality team who are very dangerous with ball in hand. So we will have to front up to that and rise to the challenge on defence. ‘

However, the 27-year-old reiterated that the Sharks’ primary focus was to address the internal issues that had blighted their performances in recent weeks.

‘Our main focus this weekend is to get the accuracy and execution into our game, and to play in the right areas of the field, then I think we will get good rewards for that.

‘This is make or break for us, we need to start winning the big games and it has to begin this Saturday. This is a crucial match for us, and we have to be realistic if we want to make the playoffs. We need to start building some points now.’

Photo: Mark Dadswell/AFP/Getty Images