.gif)
Springbok Ruan Pienaar’s desire to focus on scrumhalf prompted the call to England flyhalf Andy Goode by the Sharks, according to coach John Plumtree.
Speaking to Rugby365.com, from the team’s Super 14 training base in Christchurch on Tuesday, Plumtree revealed that Pienaar had requested to play more often at No.9 and reduce his workload at flyhalf.
As a result the England No.10, Goode, will be introduced into the Super Rugby arena from the Sharks’ replacement bench against the Crusaders in a Round Three match on Friday.
Goode, who has joined the Sharks on a short-term Super 14 contract and has agreed to join up with Worcester Warriors for the start of the 2010/11 Guinness Premiership season, has already joined up with the South African franchise at the start of their five-match Australasian safari.
While Pienaar will start at No.10 this week, Goode will play a far more prominent role at flyhalf as the tour progress and Pienaar will concentrate on being a specialist scrumhalf.
“He is learning very quickly, slotting in very quickly and he is looking good,” Plumtree told Rugby365.com, when asked about the 29-year-old Goode – who has played 17 times for England.
Goode joined the Sharks after he had agreed to an early release from his contract with Brive in the French Top 14. He will join up with the Warriors mid-year, once he has completed his stint with the Sharks.
However, for the next three months his presence will allow Pienaar to play in his preferred No.9 jersey.
“We want to have the option of Ruan back at No.9, as Ruan wants to play at scrumhalf,” Plumtree said, adding that they needed an experienced head to help them steady the ship after a couple of early season defeats.
“Andy [Goode] will provide us with that, the experience we need [in the flyhalf channel],” the Sharks coach said, adding that it also gives them flexibility in that Pienaar can play No.9 and No.10 comfortably.
“However, the way the game is going [with the new breakdown law interpretation], when you are on the attack you need a No.9 with a real fast and long pass.
“That is Ruan’s game, so we are really keen to get Ruan into No.9.
“No disrespect to Rory [Kockott], but he doesn’t have the passing game of Ruan Pienaar and we need that in this game, the way the breakdown is speeding up – with the emphasis on getting the attack going really quickly before the defence has time to settle and this is something we are excited about … with Ruan playing at No.9.”
Pienaar’s decision to move to No.9 may not be as readily accepted by Bok coach Peter de Villiers, who still sees him as an option at flyhalf – even though he has been displaced by Morné Steyn at the top of the Bok No.10 pecking order.
But it is also not a surprise that Pienaar wishes to settle down in one position, having been shunted from pillar to post for most of his career.
In his 36 Tests, since his debut against New Zealand in 2006, he has started at scrumhalf (four Tests), flyhalf (six times), fullback (four games) and come off the replacement bench 22 times in various positions – even helping out on the wing.
Since he was overtaken by Steyn last year, Pienaar’s confidence levels have dropped and a return to his preferred scrumhalf spot may see him rediscover the magic that first saw him explode onto the international stage.
Article Courtesy of Jan De Koning at Rugby 365.
.gif)
Why OH WHY???????
This is gonna cause more ructions in the camp.
How is Kockott going to feel about this?
I hope Ruan actually said this and it’s not Plumtree playing around
Kockott’s on his way after that statement! Agent must be on the blower none stop today.
aaaagggggg kak…..who cares where he wants to play anyway
This guy IS a good flyhalf!!!!!!!!!
Just put him there for the whole season and see how he develops.
perhaps if he concentrates on 10 it would reduce his workload in general.
@Pokkel (Comment 3) :
YEAH! What is he gonna do after them having played him at flyhalf the whole season?
He will be the number 1 flyhalf in SA.
How will he thank the Sharks for making him number 1 in SA? Go somewhere else and play 9? I don’t think so.
how can the fact that one guy overtook him in picking order make him give up so quickly. has he forgotten there is a fairie on his way to Bok No 9 jersey.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) : and then the Sharks will STILL be without a world class flyhalf after the S14….who we gonna buy then??? This sucks
The Sharks don’t need this out in the media? What is Plumtree thinking?
This is just going to cause more fans to bitch and IF it is true cause ill-feelings in the camp.
Black and white, nothing else matters. LEAST of all the number on your back.
It’s gonna be a lot harder for Pienaar to make the Bok squad is a 9 than at 10…….oh sorry I forget he will be a ‘utility back’
I said earlier when we heard that Goode was coming that a move like this could start making me watch roundball…..and I hate roundball
Go Bafana Bafana
Not too big a surprise. Both Plum and Pienaar said it last year already.
Pienaar obviously an important chap at the tank.
We just recived a new user registration.
He will be well like here.
:sarcasm:
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) :
I’m new – is it me?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) :
@Doomsayer (Comment 15) : Welcome, but that nic is my middlename
@Doomsayer (Comment 15) : cool nic
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 17) : i think he wants to take over TT’s and OP’s spot
@rekinek (Comment 19) :
if it wasn’t a new registration i would have gone to see if they changed their nicks straight away.
@Doomsayer (Comment 15) :
Welcome to Sharksworld.
You’ll enjoy the ride.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) : it is very bumpy for enhanced entertainment
@rekinek (Comment 22) :
Well heres my 5cents. 1.Things like this(what Plum said) does not need to be made public…bad move. 2.Ruan needs to play where he is needed when he is needed there(emergencies only).I’m all for consistency. 3.Kockett will most likely be looking for another jersey now. 4.Mcleod is quite an exciting and capable backup. 5. MOST IMPORTANT, Everyone should stop being little divas and remember that the second ‘S’ in SharkS, means TEAM. We are supporting The SharkS, not the Shark or a Shark.
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 24) : amen.
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 24) : Well said
@KSA Shark © (Comment 26) : @rekinek (Comment 25) : Thanks
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 24) :
and let’s not forget about McLeod. Where does he go in the pecking order if Ruan does move to 9?
can’t say this is completely unexpected. Sigh
if Ruan won’t play ten, maybe Rocket will?
@robdylan (Comment 29) :
Why do you say that? It is a flippen huge
to me. I thought that he would be dead keen to play 10 as that was where the national interest lay.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : even more of a shock to me that
Maybe Ruan knows that Butch will be in SA for the 2011 S15.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : Was thinking that aswell
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) : Thats why I’m so against these foreigners, our local talent is misslooked and then they head overseas and become stars other countries.
Rob, what the price of an average Guiness Premiership ticket?
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 34) :
Strange though that buying a 10 causes problems at 9 for us.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) :
on that note I am outa here.
byeeee
@rekinek (Comment 37) :
Cheers.
@rekinek (Comment 35) : I have NO idea
I am stoked Ruan at 9 is going to turn this whole thing around watch!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) :
Cheers!
Don’t let the nick fool you -I am a very positive guy – even picked a sharks win on Superbru this weekend
Go Sharks!
@Doomsayer (Comment 41) :
Thanks for the reminder. i need to get mine done ASAP.
Are you in the Sharksworld Pool or any of our JR games?
@Doomsayer (Comment 41) :
Picks made. Reds v Blues, Cheetahs v Highlanders are difficult picks.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 43) : nah. Go with home side by 7
A Long Pass as in the Currie Cup Semi not so long ago ?