Tiger Sharks ready for Super Rugby curtain-raiser

The Geraldton Tiger Sharks rugby union team will take on a combined Eastern Goldfields representative squad tonight at nib Stadium in Perth.

Easily the biggest game in the club’s history, the match is a curtain-raiser for the Super Rugby clash between the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.

Tiger Sharks coach John MacFarlane said the squad had been working very hard on and off the pitch before the big day.

“Our overall game plan is going to be fairly basic,” he said.

“It’s centred around eliminating mistakes and denying their defenders time and space.”

The Tiger Sharks had their final training session last night at Rugby Park, with plenty of numbers on the pitch.

Earlier in the week, the team gathered to watch some highlights of their recent triumphs at the Road Safety WA country championships.

“The mood has been intense in training,” MacFarlane said.

“However, off the field, the mood has been very light.”

Those planning to cheer on the Tiger Sharks will only be able to watch the second half (from 6.25pm), due to nib Stadium’s decision to only open gates 90 minutes before kick-off.