With a number of previously-injured players making good progress over the last three weeks, John Plumtree gave a strong indication yesterday that he may look at “freshening up” his squad ahead of the match against the Crusaders in London on Sunday.
Had the Sharks opted to head straight from Hamilton to the UK, then they would obviously have stuck with the same 26 man squad who’d served them so well on their three-week Australasian tour – although I’m sure one or two guys would have probably headed back to Durban anyway as they wouldn’t have played in the final week. Making the trip via Durban, though, gives the opportunity to assess the injury situation, both in the tour group itself and in the wider squad. The good news for the Sharks, at this stage, is that it’s become more a question of who to leave out, rather than who to take along.
Of the 26-man tour squad, only Pat Lambie now looks doubtful for the trip to London, with a fracture to the middle finger on his left hand possibly serious enough to require surgical correction. He will see a specialist today, but may well be cleared to play against the Crusaders anyway. As a key player to the Sharks campaign, I’m sure no chances will be taken with his long-term health, though. Jean Deysel and JP Pietersen are both still on the sidelines, of course, with the former possibly due for a return to Vodacom Cup action this week already.
Possible returnees to the Sharks squad for the match against the Crusaders include prop Eugene van Staden, now over his shoulder concern, and lock Gerhard Mostert, who has proved his match fitness through several storming performances for the Sharks XV over the last month. The Vodacom Cup side is sure to benefit this week as well froma fresh injection of players who toured with the Sharks, including Dale Chadwick, Marcell Coetzee, Mark Richards and possibly even Anton Bresler, depending on what Plumtree decides to do with Mostert. Ross Skeate is another who is expected to start his comeback via the Vodacom Cup this week.
The Sharks group to play the Crusaders will be finalised today.
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Really disappointed after las week but we need to come back strong and these changes might be the best thing.
To whom did Lambie give the finger? Reports says he cant remember where and when it happened. My guess is, whoever he pointed his finger at, retaliated.
Just kidding.
I would rather stick to the current team…let’s stick to what work so far…one game and we’re already pressing the panic button ? Come on… GO SHARKS !!!
@Charlie (Comment 3) : true, but history has shown the sharks sometimes turn these one game losses into streaks. especially if they have had to defend a lot in the game. sharks could easily go into their bye with a 50% win record. so a little concern is needed to keep the guys focused. not much is needed to be tweaked to get the sharks on the right track. firstly the du plessis mother must be flown to durban to klap her kinders for being bad on the playground, the locks need to be forced to catch extra lineout ball in practice and the centers need to learn how to straighten the line and give the wingers space to move in.
Whoever plays, I’m sure they will give their utmost best. I would’ve loved the very best 22 to have been fit and ready to go though.
It’s going to be a really tough game…the Sharks will really have to step up by 100% this week to have a realistic shot at beating the Saders.
It can be done if the Sharks manage to play with the same intensity that they did in the CC semi’s and finals last year.
We can do it and will do. GO SHARKS GO GO GO!!! Can someone please explain the combined log as to why the sharks are now 4th when they should be 2nd?
@Ardent Shark (Comment 7) : because conference winners have preference. That’s why it’s so key to beat local rivals.
@robdylan (Comment 8) : Haha how tough can this format be?
I definitely think Lambie should be rested this game, or at least played off the bench. Give Potgieter a start- i mean that is why we signed him! Why risk a player who isnt 100% with such a long season ahead. I would also give Hoffman a start as McCloed looked a bit jaded this past weekend. I dont agree with making changes just for the sake of changing but if guys are showing sum fatigue/loss of form then why not utilise the good squad we have.
The Crusaders game is not a must-win one but the Stormers one is. That being said, the Sharks have to approach this game positive.
@robdylan (Comment 8) : We really need to stay ahead on our local log. That way we will make the road much easier towards the end.
@Pokkel (Comment 6) : yup and definitely not play like they did on friday. possession is key. silly kicks, dumb penalties and losing set pieces will mean the sharks will get a huge score put against them.
How fickle is the South African rugby public? The Sharks went from tournament favourites to losing matches they haven’t even played yet! I think we all need to calm down just a little bit.
@robdylan (Comment 8) : @Ben (Comment 9) : My take would have been to give all teams that 8 points for the bye’s from the start – then you’d have a more accurate log standing – if you take it the Stormers at the moment on Top – but you should actually subtract that 4 points for the bye – then we would be on top anyway – their “actual” points should be 16…or am I wrong here?
@war1 (Comment 11) : both games are as important. finishing top of the overall gives you home semi and home final. giving the saders free points means the sharks have to settle for second and have to play the final in christchurch or surrounds.
Just to make one thing clear. We can end 1st in our conference, but 3rd overall.
1. Crusaders
2. Waratahs
3. Sharks
This means that if we win our quarter final, we WILL still have to travel for the semi final, as only the top two teams are guaranteed a home semi. With that said, not only do we need to beat the other SA teams, we need to beat enough Aus and NZ teams aswell to get into the top two spots.
@war1 (Comment 14) : Even if the Sharks beat the Chiefs on Friday I would still be shit scared of the Saders after their last 2 performances. The Sharks can do it but it will take a huge effort to beat the Saders this weekend.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 17) : exactly what i was saying. 5 points is valuable whoever you play. no game is less important.
@try time (Comment 16) : Snap!
@war1 (Comment 14) : yes but looking at the crusaders over the last few weeks and compare it to the decline of rugby by the other teams says the next team to get themselves sorted out is going end well on the log. the sharks have gone from good to worse and they have yet to play a top team. sharks need to show they want to win now, before it is too late.
@try time (Comment 19) : Agree 100% The more log points the better your chances to secure a home semi – so not only important to beat your local rivals, but the Oz and NZ teams too, with as meany points as possible – thats why bonus points are crucial. That way you make life much easier for yourself.
@Ice (Comment 15) : yes we would be on top but we have played one game more so it doesn’t make much difference.
Stormers game is a home game. Stormers are in our conference, that makes it doubly more important in my books. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying we should throw the Crusaders game but the Stormers game is vitally important.
@Ben (Comment 23) : Actually it does – Those 20 points are for “5 games”….
@Ice (Comment 22) : look how bonus points have kept us in touch with the stormers. we would be top of the log had alberts not butchered those two tries against the blues. it shows just how tight super rugby is. ill discipline from the du plessis sealed our fate on friday. it is little things that can turn a successful campaign into yet another average showing.
@Charlie (Comment 3) : Why not start with Adi so that he can prove to the world he CAN tackle?
You mean watching the Stormers doesn’t unsettle you guys ?
They dominated the Bulls upfront and still have Van Zyl ,Burger and Liebenberg to return.
@Speed7 (Comment 28) : It unsettles me in the way that if my pants tear in front of a Stormer I should be nervous, but in the way that we will meet them on the field (fully clothed) not at all.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 27) : his current stats 3 made from 4. not really the success rate you want against the best center pairing super rugby at the moment.
@Speed7 (Comment 29) : The dominated the Bulls because the Bulls let themselves be dominated, NOT because the Stormers have suddenly become tough guys.
The Stormers looked at the 2010 CC and saw how the Bulls hate it when you get in their faces.
It was rather the Bulls that wilted than the Stormers that became tough.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 30) :
@Speed7 (Comment 28) : No – not at all
@try time (Comment 31) : But the guys have been telling me it is a myth that he can’t defend. They have also been calling for his inclusion. This is a good time to see hiw good he is.
Thought as much. Was just curious.
@Speed7 (Comment 36) : Curiousity killed the Big Cat
@Speed7 (Comment 36) : We are fearless….to know us is to fear US!
The cat has been dead for a while. All 9 lives used.
@SheldonK (Comment 10) : Agreed, rest our top players now me thinks.
Imagine hitting the stormers with a rested Alberts at 8 and a fit again Deysel at 7?
Stormers should drop their match against the crusers as well so we just need to make sure we take them out in Dbn.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 35) :
yeah. lets do it then. 
this game isn’t that important anyway. sharks supporters in london don’t mind paying R600 to see the sharks get annihilated. 
Saw some Pics of training yesterday and Deysel looks like he could be in the selection frame…he is training without any strapping or tape…so maybe he is ready for a 20 minute impact off the bench? But, i would only play him if he is 100% fit, rather a vodacom cup game or 2 and then he will be more than 100% ready. Must not risk him.
@Speed7 (Comment 29) : i have to say, thinking back to the warm-up games in the neo africa tournament, i thought we had the stormers number. only when the teams brought on their subs did the do better. i seriously more worried about the lions. Sharks and the lions have a bit of history…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 35) : You looking for sensation…There’s a vacany @ Voldy for a myth chasing writer
@robdylan (Comment 8) : in that case, the stormers are in a pretty good position… beating all but 1 of their local rivals thus far. and leaving the bulls with a bit of a problem.
whats going on at the bulls? i mean, in a few months time those senios guys will be representing the Boks at the WC… worryingly…
I also think Lambie should not play if there is risk of further injury; JLP is a very capable replacement and he is very fresh; hardly played. So let Lambie recover and we can have him back after the Break…JLP can do the job for us until Lambie is 100% again.
@JJR (Comment 42) : The plaster was back onto Deysels knee yesterday…
@VanWilder (Comment 45) : that is the scary thought that goes through my head when i watch those bozos.
@war1 (Comment 14) : agree 100 %
even if we only get 1 bonus point form this next match , it would be as good as a 3 match out of 4 win on tour , albeit it then without a bonus point
Ask any team if they would accept that before touring and they would be more then happy
@Charlie (Comment 44) : charlie you ready to play this weekend??
@Ice (Comment 47) : yup, ice will know. she has cameras set up in the sharks gym and changing room.
I’m just gonna say because we’re all thinking it anyway. Sharks by 15 this weekend!
@Ice (Comment 47) : Seriaaaassss…the pics i saw he was running and recieving passes without that tape thing on his knee. Does not matter; glad to see him almost 100%, been my favourite player since he had a trial game against “Mighty Elephants”, back then. Bobo was captain in that warm up game…he should have stayed with us, he was hitting good form on the wing, then he left.
@vanmartin (Comment 52) : I have got that Sharks against the wall feeling…they will bounce back this weekend. Sharks by around 5. Go Sharks!!!!!
@sharks_lover (Comment 50) : I am…but have patience to even play from the bench…the team is more important then individual preference…
@try time (Comment 51) :
@JJR (Comment 53) : Love him to bits too!
@Charlie (Comment 55) :
, actually you might find Adi starting
He is starting to show some good form when coming off the bench
@Charlie (Comment 55) : What have you done with the real Charlie????
@sharks_lover (Comment 57) : For sure and currently suiting the team dynamics…still early days though
@Ice (Comment 58) : He grown up and adapt the real Adi approach 
@sharks_lover (Comment 59) : He’s a gonner…it’s a new season…to move forward you need to let go of the old ways…change is good and it feels good
@Charlie (Comment 60) :
Jlp and hoffman a must play…we really need another steady combination…and how about some game time for bresler with sykes…or are they the same type of lock…
@VanWilder (Comment 43) : Nah, the Lions will persist with Jantjies and Mapoe untill Butch comes back in May.
It`ll cost them hehehe
@Original Champion (Comment 64) : Then what? Do they put Jantjies on the bench? Have been wondering what Mitchell’s plan is there… I mean, you don’t get a player like Butch to come on board and then let him wait it out on the touch-line… But then Jantjies is something akin to sliced bread when it comes to the Springbok selectors, if the EOYT is anything to go by, so how on earth is it all going to work without noses getting put out of joint…???