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I really need to applaud the decision to select Stefan Terblanche at outside centre this week. To me, it’s the sort of “thinking outside of the box” that we are starting to see more of from the Sharks coach and I really like it.
Sure, it’s risky picking the veteran in an unfamiliar position. My mate war1 informs me that Stef did play some rugby at 13 in the past, though and when he does decide to take on the opposition, the old boy has shown an ability to break the line on occasion. Picking him at 13 will force him to do far more running – and far less kicking – than is the case at either wing or fullback. Stef has lost a yard or two, sure and maybe isn’t really quick enough for wing any more, but at centre, I reckon he has more than enough gas to do the job. Add to that a really safe pair of hands and good defence and I think he’ll do an admirable job.
I guess it was somewhat inevitable that we’d see Odwa Ndungane come into the vacant right wing jersey and I’m not too upset about that, since I thought he was pretty useful and very busy when he came on against the Hurricanes. Sure, he’s lost a bit of top-end gas and it would be really nice to see what Lwai Mvovo could do – at least the latter has been named on the bench and should finally get a chance to impress at Super 14 level if he comes on. The pressure must start to build on the incumbent wingers and I feel that Mvovo is just the right guy to do that.
Otherwise, the team is pretty predictable – and that’s a good thing, I think. I’m really pleased to see Ruan Pienaar retained at scrumhalf, even if it does mean more of Andy Goode at pivot. John Smit retained at loosehead is also the right call and I’m happy to see Craig Burden back on the bench too as the bloke really deserves a chance to play. Tough luck for Wiehahn Herbst, but he’s young and will get his chance in the Currie Cup.
As for Andries Strauss, well. He’s a good bloke and a stalwart and I’m sure he’ll never let the team down. It’s good to have him back.
GO OUPA
I wonder what TT would have to say about this
I’m assuming Waylon Murray is injured? Honestly, his best bet would be to move to the Bulls. I like Waylon, and I’m a bit annoyed he’s dropped, to have Terblanche play out of position.
A bit off topic, but I was thinking, we could have a fairly exciting team for our Currie Cup challenge this year, while the Boks are away:
1.Cilliers
2.Burden
3.Herbst
4.Sykes
5.Hargreaves (C)
6.Botes
7.Deysel
8.Alberts
9.Kockott
10.Lambie
11.Mvovo
12.Swannepoel
13.Murray
14.Vulindlu
15.Ludik
With Lambie at 10 I think Swannie will perform better – as Lambie can take over the creative duties. We’ve been relying on an out-of-sorts Pienaar (till recently) and the relatively uncreative duo of Goode and Swannepoel for our backline spark. I think that youthful team would score a lot of tries…
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : he’s probably bashing his head against the keyboard as we speak. Always was a drama queen
@MerckZ (Comment 3) : you’ve got to look at the Waylon Murray that IS, not the one that WAS… on current form, he doesn’t deserve to start – I’m sorry to say that because I really rate him as a top player and man… but the Sharks have showed faith, it’s time for Waylon to take responsibility and fix whatever’s wrong.
@MerckZ (Comment 4) : geez dude… that’s an AWESOME-looking team. Let’s hope we get that side.
Well I was pleased to see it was Stefan at outside centre, thought it was going to be Strauss. Would have like to see Mvovo start though, pleased he is on the bench.
Good luck to all the saffa sides this weekend.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SHARKS. Hope the Tank is full on Saturday.
Cheers all enjoy your long weekend. Drive safe.
@robdylan (Comment 6) : I know what you mean, but I think he needs the same treatment that Pienaar’s been afforded – game time, and not in the Vodacom Cup. Failing that, Zuks Vulindlu is primarily an Outside Centre, why not give him a chance instead of playing our pensioners out of position? Then again, Plum knows best and in Plum we trust…
@MerckZ (Comment 9) : Unless the Sharks lose, then it’s off with Plum’s head
@MerckZ (Comment 9) : eish. Zuks has been terrible for the Sharks XV – so bad that he got dropped for Sbu Sithole. To my mind, you need to be really excelling at VC level before you can be considered for the Sharks
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Oh, I haven’t seen the last few VC games. Then fair enough, who IS looking the business at VC level at the mo? Any potential for the CC?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 10) : Haha, I’m quite impressed that the Sharks administration, like Liverpool’s, haven’t dropped the coach after a few bad results. It’s quite scary how Liverpool’s form tends to reflect the Sharks’. Makes weekends either very good or very awful, sport wise…
@MerckZ (Comment 12) : I haven’t seen much of the rugby, but I think it’s safe to say that the forwards are looking really good, while the backs are struggling a little.
I really like the look of Mark Richards at wing, though
@MerckZ (Comment 4) :
I agree. I am already looking forward to CC this year.
@MerckZ (Comment 12) : @robdylan (Comment 13) : Richards and Trompie has impressed me
Go Sharks
@robdylan (Comment 6) :
Waylon has been backed by the coaches???
Rob, come on, thats plainly not true and you know it.
When last was he given a decent run?
Sure, he hasn’t been great, but he is still coming back from a season on the sidelines due to injury.
Surely logic dictates that you back a kid who was good enough to be a Bok at 2o than play a middle-aged dude who kicks more than a bad-tempered horse out of position?
I cant agree with you on this one mate.
@robdylan (Comment 5) :
dont worry Rob on Keo they have a drama choir and guess whos the choir master
oh and lead singer
@robdylan (Comment 13) : sorry could resist it
as for richards i have to agree , this is another rising star and as he gains expeience he is getting better and better
he looks for work
Go SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good to be back in a real timezone.
hiyas KSA
@sharks_lover (Comment 22) :
Hey.
Good to see some variety in the LMS picks this week.
still an easy round though,
If Terblanche was to play anywhere in midfield, I’d play him at 12. He often ends up at first receiver, he is creative and pace isn’t as imperative at 12 as it is at 13. I think a Terblanche/Murray combination might work quite well…
@sharks_lover (Comment 22) : hiyas bro ^5 (mormon handshake)
I think Stefan will be setting up his wings with quite a few good runs this weekend.
Cooper and his Reds best go look for a house to break into….
@Megatron (Comment 26) : dude grow up ,
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) :
Hope you are right, but I think many people are underestimating the talent the Reds have (especially in the backs).
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) : KSA it might work , well i hope so
stefan has been quite good at wing , just a pity the speed in the legs is going
@Big Fish (Comment 29) : fish thats what worries me
look at that nippy player from the canes last week
he caused havock
@Big Fish (Comment 29) : no doubt the reds will be hoping for a loose game
I can’t believe the Cheetahs are screwing over my FL team AGAIN.
Waratahs are fielding a B-Team an my players aren’t playing.
Flatland fools.
@Big Fish (Comment 29) :
Reds DO have a good backline, but they will be tackling a lot on Saturday IMO, and hopefully have minimal attacking ball.
@sharks_lover (Comment 31) :
@sharks_lover (Comment 32) :
Sharks struggle when the game loosens up.
Sad thing is that we could run a loose game with our quick loosies and the likes of Ruan, Adi and JP; but we dont have the risk appetite.
I still back the boys, but I am gonna call a spade a spade – I dont think we have the GAMEPLAN to make the semis (we have the players – even if they are not picked or picked out of position).
@sharks_lover (Comment 32) :
And no doubt the Sharks will be aware of this and keep it tight.
I predict a low scoring game VERY LOW.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) :
4 of the top 7 lowest scoring games involve the Reds and this weekend will be another one for the record books.
6 Highlanders beat Crusaders 6-0 Dunedin 2009
9 Brumbies beat Reds 6-3 Brisbane 2007
11 Reds beat Sharks 6-5 Durban 2004
11 Reds beat Hurricanes 11-0 Brisbane 1999
12 Lions beat Crusaders 9-3 Johannesburg 2007
15 Highlanders beat Western Force 8-7 Perth 2007
16 Cheetahs beat Reds 10-6 Bloemfontein 2006
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) : no doubt KSA
us pointing out the obvious, will be even more obvious to the sharks coaching staff
we do need pace in our backline though, to me thats a big concern
Go stefan you biscuit. Hope it works out.
GO SHARKS !!!
Not a fan of this, hasn’t been very good back on the wing. Against the Canes he was in the line a few times, once with an overlap and kicked it.
Waylon was the better choice, to not even have Waylon on the bench is ridiculous. Strauss is the go to man if it goes wrong? Jeez, even if it goes wrong you may as well leave Stefan out there. Strauss is exactly the type Plumtree loves in the backline, never tries anything so rarely makes mistakes, wont win you anything either mind.
@Os (Comment 41) :
“Strauss is exactly the type Plumtree loves in the backline, never tries anything so rarely makes mistakes, wont win you anything either mind.”
Couldn’t agree more.
Now compare the Stormers and Bulls style and backs…
I reckon Mvovo has got the goods, he just needs the experience now.
Yeah, disappointed with Strauss on the Bench, it really should`ve been Murray.
But looking forward to Stefan in mid field. As long as he doesn`t kick everything away!!
Come on Sharks take out Bogey Side number 3 for us tomorrow!
@Big Fish (Comment 35) : I think it´s lack of vision more than lack of risk appetite. Wrong option-taking and poor handling have been our nemesis.