A case of another Jekyll and Hyde performance against Zebre

THE Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a famous book about contradictory behavior. Robert Louis Stevenson could have been describing the Sharks rugby team, had they existed when writing in 1886.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

John Plumtree said as much after his team had played in fits and starts before sneaking home 35-34 against Zebre, the Italian side that threatens to become the Sharks’ unlikely nemesis. It seemed that way 10 minutes before time when Zebre led and Sharks supporters were casting their minds back to Zebre’s shock defeat of the Sharks last year, their first win since 2022.

"We can't be this Jekyll and Hyde team anymore," Plumtree said.

"This hot-and-cold performance won't cut it against Leinster this week. They will punish us and not let us off the hook. As good as Zebre were, they gave us some soft moments and we won't get that from Leinster.

"We will have to be better in every aspect of the game," Plumtree said, before adding with a wry smile, "Leinster won't be scared of us after this game."