Barritt Back For Sharks

[Steve-o]

http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/default.asp?i...amp;des=article
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There was a recognisable face at Sharks training on Tuesday afternoon to bolster a backline that has lost Frans Steyn to an injury which could see him miss the next six weeks of action.

Brad Barritt’s contract with Saracens was structured in such a way as to allow the 22 year old to return to play for The Sharks should they need him and his commitments with the club allow it.

The good news is that both of these conditions have occurred (simultaneously in fact â€" The Sharks losing Francois Steyn this past weekend, and Saracens being knocked out of their European competition) and Barritt will certainly shore up any depth issues The Sharks have.

“Brad Barritt arrived back in South Africa this morning,†confirmed assistant coach Grant Bashford, “and he will join up with the squad today. It’s very good to have him back, he’s part of the family. He adds experience and comes at a good time for us.â€

Bashford also admitted that Barritt would be available for selection for this weekend’s Vodacom Super 14 match against the Waratahs at The Absa Stadium Durban (3pm kick-off). “He’s played a lot of rugby so there are no fitness issues with him. Although we haven’t discussed selection, we will chat to him, see how he trains and make a decision.â€

He confirmed that Barritt has been selected in both centre positions for Saracens as well as working a great deal on his kicking with specialised coach Dave Alred, and brings with him a vast array of skills.

Brad admitted after training that he didn’t expect to be back playing for The Sharks quite so soon. “Yes, it is a bit of a surprise to be coming back and it’s great to be involved with the team,†he said. “They’re doing awesomely and it’s nice to be involved towards the latter part of the competition.â€

Obviously coming in fresh he will have to learn some of the moves, although he admitted that having played for The Sharks as recently as last year, the players and plays aren’t all that different.

“I think I am in a lot better position than if I were a total outsider, a lot of the moves and phase play are similar to what we did in the past so I’m hoping just to fit in nicely.

“I think the skills I’ve learned and acquired over the last few months with Saracens have been really good for me,†he continued. “I’ve learned a different style of play, the focus is on natural support and natural running lines, so in that regard I am hoping I can bring a bit of that to The Sharks.â€

Having played in both centre positions and adding an element of kicking to his game he certainly brings plenty to the table. “That’s been really good,†he said of his experiences and learning process in the UK. “I’ve been working a lot with Dave Alred [who is widely regarded as the world's leading kicking coach], which has helped a lot and getting exposure playing at 13 has helped as well with defensive and attacking lines, it’s been a great experience.â€

With Francois Steyn having suffered a medial meniscus injury which rules him out for “probably 6 weeks, so it’s not good news there,†the return to Durban of Barritt and from injury of Ruan Pienaar could not be more fortuitous for The Sharks. “He will be with us for the remainder of the tournament,†is further good news as supplied by Bashford.

Similar good news presents itself with Adrian Jacobs who ran at training on Monday and Tuesday in that his return could be sooner than initially thought. “We will treat his case conservatively,†explained Bashford. “Hopefully he will come through without needing an operation and is potentially available for selection this weekend, but we will be cautious with him.â€

In Waylon Murray’s case, he is still doubtful and is getting further medical opinion today.[/b]

How cool is this?! This is really gonna help our cause against a very structured Waratahs team. Barritt has a great kicking game, which there will be a lot of this weekend.