Sharks coach John Plumtree is looking for a response from his side after their heavy defeat to the Hurricanes.

The Sharks slumped to a 42-18 Vodacom Super Rugby thumping last time out, when they dominated for extended periods but were unable to close out the many try-scoring chances they created.

While admitting his side's set-piece has improved, Plumtree is looking for the Sharks to put in an improved performance next time against the Blues.

He told the club's official website: "The lineouts are functioning well and we're creating opportunities where we're able to attack, but on the weekend we were a little bit predictable in what we were doing.

"We will be faced with similar threats against the Blues, so from a defensive perspective, we need to be a lot more accurate with our one-on-one tackling, and from an attack perspective, we must make sure we're not predictable and that we attack from all areas of the park."

Conrad Hoffmann is now with the team, offering depth at scrum-half, and Plumtree is hoping for further good news.

He said: "Bismarck du Plessis didn't start the game because of a thigh injury [although he was able to come on late in the game], but he trained on Monday and we're certainly hoping he will be available along with Pat Lambie, so that's good news.

"We will see how Pat gets through training and make a decision on him later in the week. Tim Whitehead has a bit of a groin injury, we'll manage him through the week and Marcell Coetzee went off with shoulder injury, we'll also have to make a call on him during the week."