News out of the Sharks camp is that a number of the Under 21 Class of 2009 have been training with the Super 14 squad for the last few weeks.
With a hectic 2010 campaign looming, The Sharks brains trust have elected to split the squad early, with those earmarked for the Super 14 continuing to train with John Plumtree, while the second tier prepares for the Vodacom Cup under the watchful eye of Sean Everitt. The bulk of this year’s under 21 squad – or, at least, those of them who haven’t left – will look to represent the Sharks XV next year before hopefully going on to play a role in the 2010 Currie Cup campaign.
A number of the youngsters have already been included in the Super 14 squad in a bid to fast track their progress into the senior ranks. Perhaps the least surprising name is that of scrumhalf Ross Cronjé, who made his Super 14 debut in 2009. His brother Guy will also come into the Super 14 reckoning and if Monty Dumond is indeed released to the Cheetahs, the blonde youngster could find himself as the only flyhalf backup to Juan Hernandez. Pat Lambie will also be there and will apparently be used at centre next year. Both Cronjé and Lambie made their senior debuts during the 2009 Currie Cup.
Other players to crack the nod are hooker Kyle Cooper and outside centre Jerome “Trompie” Pretorius. Impressive number 8 Luvuyiso Lusaseni also spent some time running with the Super 14 squad, but the reality is that not all of the players currently training with the big boys will go on to earn Super 14 gametime this season.
Both squads will complete their final week of pre-season training for this year on Friday, before enjoying a two-week Christmas break.
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is it me or is putting lambie at centre a recipe for disaster? lambie has shown a lot of promise this season and could be an important cog in the team, my concern is he is another player with a boot in the backline. so now we have ruan that kicks, juan that as flyhalf is expected to kick ball out of hand, stefan same. how much ball is going to get to the wings? the positive though is that if juan is injured ruan can move to flyhalf and we don’t need rory on the park as place kicker as pat has a decent place kicking record.
@try time (Comment 1) : well, I reckon Pat will be played at outside centre, rather than inside, and 13s rarely kick, not so?
@robdylan (Comment 2) : we can hope. i really like the style pat plays. i just hope we don’t have to watch another year of sharks rugby where bonus points are thrown away because the up and under is the only option.
@robdylan (Comment 2) :
But you guys have Adi, Murray and Dries who can all play 13??
It would make sense to play him at 15 wouldn’t it?? If Stefan gets injured and Ludik starts, who will be your backup for Louis???
@wpw (Comment 4) : to be honest, I’ll be surprised if Pat gets a Super 14 start in any position next year. He’s only just turned 19. But I think he’d make a superb backline sub – he could cover anything from 10-15
He’s very impressive, but with Ludick there, he might play for the u/21′s for a couple of years, before moving to the lions. lol!
@boepie (Comment 6) : Gaan skyt Boepie. I think Lambie will be shakted around the backline ala Brent Russel, Frans Steyn and Ruan. And he will be aware of what a disadvantage that would be to his career and go and play fullback for Stade, Clermont, Leinster, Saracens etc. at the age of 22. And be lost to SA Rugby. May I ask, why is it that the Sharks players have to adapt to new positions for the sake of the Boks? John (2 to 3), Ruan (9 to 10….and other positions), Frans (12 to 15)! Sure it is cool to have versatile/utility backs, but they never get settled in any position. Is that perhaps the reason why the Sharks kicks the ball away cos they are not sure of what to do in a backline move and appear “lost” with the ball in hand? Stefan is in his self admitted last year of rugby. We have secured Ludick (or did we?) and who else at fullback? Keep Pat at 15 and we will have no real problems there. AND DONT COME WITH THE SHYTE THAT ODWA AND JPP CAN PLAY THERE AS WELL!!
We (The Sharks) have to use players in other positions than the Boks utilise them and I think that is part of the reason why we stumbled (I HATE the word choke) in the CC. My 20 cents worth.
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 7) : I kinda agree with most of that, although I happen to think that Odwa would be a far better fullback than he is a wing.
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
So you also agree that boepie must ‘gaan skyt’
@wpw (Comment 9) : I would never say that
@robdylan (Comment 8) : Well, like everything in life that point can be debated at length. I agree that Odwa does’nt have the real speed of a wing and there is not much wrong with his defence. But I do not consider his kicking out of hand as one of his rated talents IMHO. And his tactical play/option taking as well?
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 11) : fair enough – but he has played 15 on a few occasions and looked really good every time.
@robdylan (Comment 12) : it always seemed to me that he was a short-term solution until oom stef came back from wales
Boepie and Pensie sitting in a tree…
Een terug, twee terug, Castle bier…
just heard that guy had an operation on his foot- I really hope he is going to be fit soon!!!
MORNING!!!!!!!
Hallo daar.
@klempie (Comment 17) :
You still alive?? Have not seen you around for ages!
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 18) : Is. Kom praat. :p
yo – pop quiz. How many of you find the “Related Posts” feature useful?
Morning…morning friends…
@robdylan (Comment 20) : I find it very useful …more info right there in case you need to confirm something from an older article…
@robdylan (Comment 20) :
I’ve actually used it a good couple of times…dont know about “useful” – but it gotmy attention to go and read..if this helps..
@blackshark (Comment 21) :
Geez! Another one our of the woodwork??
great. I also like it! It stays
Next point on the meeting agenda?
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 25) : subscribe to comments?
@robdylan (Comment 26) :
How do you do that…no wait..what does that mean?
@robdylan (Comment 26) : Incredibly annoying if you accidently tick the checkbox when you go to click ‘Submit Comment’ cos it’s a mission to unsubscribe when you start getting Sharksworld spam.
@klempie (Comment 28) :
Then go and practise your “mouse” skills..
@klempie (Comment 28) : hmmm, so that’s one vote against
@McLovin (Comment 30) : @McLovin (Comment 32) : @McLovin (Comment 33) :
Heard a good joke?
@Xmas Ice-Icle (Comment 34) : Unfortunately not.
How about a few xmas cracker jokes then.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday….
Aaaah, those were the days.
@McLovin (Comment 37) : nice
So hows about the cricket dudes???
SA 377/8
Damn!
Boucher out for 49
@wpw (Comment 39) : English Roses wilting in the harsh African sun.