Lukhanyo Am remains positive about Sharks despite disappointing start

The Sharks endured a difficult tour North for the start of the United Rugby Championship and then lost narrowly to Connacht in Durban on Saturday. As a result, coach John Plumtree is still searching for his first win of the season after five matches.

Despite the 13-12 loss to the Welsh side, there were plenty of positives for the Sharks, who dominated the stats sheet with 66% territory, 29 defenders beaten and six clean breaks. It's clear that the Sharks want to play high-tempo running rugby under their new coach.

Another positive was the return of Springbok centre Am, who played the full 80 minutes and enjoyed them all.

"Coming back from our national duties, rejoining the boys with so much energy, it has been really good and I think for me individually playing my first game after a long-term injury was such a bonus for myself," Am told rugby365.com.

"We are going in the right direction. We are a growing team and a learning team."

This week, a raft of other World Cup-winning Boks were back at training. Superstars Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, Makazole Mapimpi as well as scrumhalves Grant Williams and Jaden Hendrikse should all be up for selection when the Sharks try to turn their season around against the Dragons on Saturday.

"It's another one at home and we got certain players back from national duties in terms of prep and sharing their experience with the rest of the group," continued Am, who said its early doors in the long URC season.

"We are definitely in the right space and I am really looking forward to this game.

"It's the beginning of the season and the season only ends in May or June, so we still have quite some time to sharpen up and to catch up. [Slow starts] have happened in the past with Munster and the Stormers, if I am not mistaken, so it is still early for us to just throw the kitchen sink."

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