If overnight media reports are to be believed, the Sharks have withdrawn from the annual Neo Africa Tri-Series warm up tournament this year.
Details are in short supply as to why the Sharks have taken this decision, as well as regarding the alternative pre-Super Rugby program that will now need to be put in place. It is true that the Durban side has struggled to be competitive in previous incarnations of the Newlands tournament; if the talk is to be believed, it seems that the additional revenue to be gained from playing at home may be at the heart of this call.
The Cheetahs will, it seems, now compete with the Lions and the Stormers for the Tri-Series trophy.
Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl was quoted in Beeld last night confirming the withdrawal. With the Sharks set to host Boland on 10 February and playing a compulsory away game again against the Kings in PE a week later, participation in the Tri-Series would have meant that three out of the four warm-up matches would have taken place away from home. “There was concern here that our pre-season program would comprise predominantly away games, should we play against the Stormers and Lions in Cape Town,” said van Zyl. “We also feel that we’d be able to secure gate takings if we play another game at home.”
The Sharks are apparently lining up a fixture at Kings Park on 3 February, but the opponent has yet to be announced.
More on this when we get official confirmation from, well, anyone, really!
Huh??
Huh?? Ok -its in Beeld – saying Brian v Zyl confirmed it yesterday…
Why didn’t we just send our vodacom team down and organise alternative warm-ups for sr squad ?win-win for both squads (mr:green)
Suppose neo-africa and weepee stormers wouldn’t have accepted that
Our second game of the sr comp is against the stormers,isn’t it?
Just checked: we play the stormers in our second sr game and the lions in our 3rd game (wonder if that didn’t have something to do with decision to pull out of the early season warm-up tournament in ct?).
Right now it just seems boring to have local SR teams square up in warm ups just weeks prior to the real deal where they will meet twice again.
This is what the SA teams should try to organise.
Come to an arrangement with the Pro 12 (Magners)whereby they put a freeze on their compo for 2 weeks at the start of February.
We supply 6 teams (can incl EP Kings).
They provide 10 teams (Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Connacht, Blues, Dragons, Scarlets, Ospreys, Edinburgh and Glasgow) to play in a knockout style compo.
Rounds of 16 down to 8, 8 to 4 & 4 to 2 = 3 games max. Rule wud be no 2 teams from the same nation to play each other in round 1 (quarterfinals)
Our SR teams are likely to win their 1st round games (quarterfinals) so they’d all get the desired 2 warm-up games as a minimum and a successful team wud have to play a 3rd and maybe a 4th match ie the final.
They could even consider having a plate compo for the 8 teams knocked out in round 1.
I think this type of knockout could draw a lot of attention and generate good revenue.
The tournament could be alternated, one year SA next year home nations.
Now this is sad news.
When my Lion and Stormer friends finds out about this I`m gonna take all kinds of flack.
Julle is net bang man
Wat jy waar kry???
@Original Pierre (Comment 7) : why the hell do you have Lion and Stormer friends? Sort your shit out, mate… there’s a new years resolution for you for free…
@beet (Comment 6) : bloody good idea, Beeto… could generate huge amounts of interest, I’d think
@robdylan (Comment 10) : At least I draw the line when it comes to Bulls . . .
Lets not get so excited this is just speculation until the CEO of the SHARKS makes an announcement, as a journalist you should verify your facts before publishing something, you know is going to fuel emotions!!
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Lions friends because he is a closet Lions supporter, stormer friends because he does after all live in cape town!
@theswan4 (Comment 13) :
Surely being quoted in a national newspaper takes it from being a random rumour to a solid bit of information?!
@theswan4 (Comment 13) : Tough year buddy?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 15) : Has Brian Van Zyl said so, have you heard those words uttered from him??
@theswan4 (Comment 17) :
A newspaper is not allowed to quote something not actually said..
You are aware what is meant by a ‘quote’ right??
And in any case, as a blogger, you really should not force yourself to read anything that might cause undue emotion…
Well I don’t know if one is always “quoted” correctly all of the time in newspapers
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 18) : I’M not forcing myself to read anything i’m tired of reading bullshit put out by people who enjoy sensationalism!!!
@Greg (Comment 14) : He’s not even a closet Lions supporter… the oke wears flipping red underpants. I wish he’d just come out and admit it to us.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 8) : Yes exactly like that!
@Greg (Comment 14) : Thanx, also remember it`s no use moving 1200 km`s away from family if your girl absolutely refuses to change her cell number!
@theswan4 (Comment 20) : I’m with Rich on this… if you think what you find on Sharksworld is bullshit, then by all means move your mouse towards to top right corner of the screen. Little red “x”.
@robdylan (Comment 23) :
Funny!
@robdylan (Comment 23) : why the hell do you have Lion and Stormer friends? Sort your shit out, mate… there’s a new years resolution for you for free…
@theswan4 (Comment 25) :
Good riddance..
lol
@Original Pierre (Comment 7) :
@robdylan (Comment 23) : Actually Rob, its Ctrl + F4
@Uli: sw bloggers in pmb ( or who spend a good deal of time in pmb) should organise a get-together sometime _ maybe watch a game together sometime this year in pmb?
@bergshark (Comment 30) : Very good idea
@theswan4 (Comment 25) : Have you heard about “banter”…??? Geezilikit! AND if you care to READ, it says “if overnight reports are to be believed” “apparently” and the last sentence stating more if we can get confirmation” – That’s hardly stating it as “fact”..get YOUR facts in order before you attack, Terrier!
@Greg (Comment 14) : He lives so far out of CT he may as well be a Bulls supporter
@bergshark (Comment 30) : When will the sharks actually come an play a game here again? I hope pmb gets a game again this year!!!!
Jislaaik and now?
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 33) : pwhahaha!
@Ice (Comment 32) : Now now… Ice , we all know you get out of hand when this kinda thing starts… please relax and go watch a game of Dan Carter…
@Ice (Comment 32) : + 1000
Hello all. I hope you all have a great 2012!
@theswan4 (Comment 25) : Before you go! Might I persuade you to take one or two other bloggers with you? I’m convinced you’ll all get along famously!
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 35) : someone has their panties in a proper twist about something, that’s for sure. Anyway, he seems the type that would fit in better elsewhere…
@vanmartin (Comment 38) : LOL
Let’s have a New Years clean-up party…
@robdylan (Comment 40) :
Damn.. does this mean I fired?
@robdylan (Comment 40) : @Pokkel (Comment 41) : an me??….
@Uli: maybe only a vodacom cup game..? Would be nice if they (the sharks sr squad) came to woodburn to conduct a coaching session or do their training for the day.
@robdylan (Comment 40) :
Zibbie hangs on for his life
@Ice: comment 32: cool down,Ice
@Uli (Comment 36) : You 4tuff with SW, u stuff with me!! Mafia style…
@Zibbie (Comment 44) : you’re safe! You’re actually a lekker oke and take ALL the shit we throw at you with exceedingly good grace.
@Pokkel (Comment 41) : of course you’re safe… you’re family man. Or maybe just fishing for compliments?
@Uli (Comment 42) : ja, but we want to see you more often, ok? You’ve been with us for years, should be on at least 4 stars by now!
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 33) : i think somewhere he admitted to cleaning something with the Bulls flag – which means he put his hands on one
seems like some fun here – though I thought that cleaning should have been done before xmas (before the family et all descends upon you
@robdylan (Comment 48) :
@robdylan (Comment 48) : Family? Like THAT uncle or cousin.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 53) : Hey jy ….watch it!
4 new threads in one day….aaah the season is almost upon us.
@robdylan (Comment 47) : Plus he has a cup, it would be bad form to throw him out, a sour grapes sort of thing
@Greg (Comment 56) : competition elimination (that’s what the big cats do
@theswan4 (Comment 25) : before you go, could you ask your stepdad to please return my calls, sms’es and emails? Thanks…
@Greg (Comment 56) : exactly… exactly… you, on the other hand, are fair game!
@Ice (Comment 46) : maybe the smiley in my comment didn’t render properly on his nokia
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 55) : anything to get rid of the cricket thread!!
@robdylan (Comment 59) : Yeah, but approve my new avatar, you’ll see I also have a cup!
@robdylan (Comment 59) :
@Greg (Comment 62) :
No flies on you, that was quick!
@Ice: sri lanka 203/6
@Ice (Comment 61) : hi
@bergshark (Comment 64) : tssst …
@Greg (Comment 62) : that’s just nasty…
@vanmartin (Comment 38) : Now *that’s* some good thinking right there!
@rekinek (Comment 65) : Hello Reksie!!! Congratulations on your 3rd RING!!! Hope it was a blast?
Incase: engagement RING, Weddimg RING, sufferRING!
What is it with Swans? The birds, though good looking are quite ill-tempered. The band, though utterly awesome is somewhat lacking in humour. The blogger, though… er… um… OK, I give up
@robdylan (Comment 67) : Hey sir what’s the situation concerning Wandile and Newman are they in the sharks squad for the Super 15.
Man I really hope for theswan4′s peace of mind slash sake that this is a false rumour.
They’re no remedy quite like being right.
Personally I wish I could be right like 99% of the time instead of my current avg 17%.
Gotta say I love Rob tho. Thank you Rob for all the offseason content to keep us going. I know it isn’t easy.
@Culling Song (Comment 70) : all the old crowd are returning, in dribs and drabs
@Muzi (Comment 71) : it’s a conspiracy, all you okes calling me sir
It’s bloody Dell who put you all up to it, I know it 
Both Wandi and Morgan are back in training with the Sharks, but not sure whether either has yet been contracted.
@beet (Comment 72) : Love is all around!
@beet (Comment 72) : thanks beeto… it’s been a very long one this year, making it all the more difficult. Must say, checking the stats in late December and seeing fewer than 200 visits a day is quite sobering
@robdylan (Comment 47) :
like i always say . somebody has to keep the balance
@Greg (Comment 56) :
its shiny is it not
@rekinek (Comment 57) :
oi no touchy touchy
@Greg (Comment 62) :
BWHAHAHAA
@robdylan (Comment 76) : It’s called respect
Thanks for the information concerning Wandile and Newman.
@robdylan:Any photos from the sharks back in training ( a link?)?maybe we can see who is jumping at 2 in the line-out..
@Ice (Comment 69) : and the latter is so heavy that I can’t even wear it
Will send you a pick (of course the photo shopped one
@robdylan (Comment 73) : Been here all along, sir, just haven’t had anything to comment on, sir.
@Zibbie (Comment 77) : just spent few days in kruger – i know all about you guys – you shall not hide behind this cup
@Culling Song (Comment 81) : you comment on weather – all the UK based fans would join in – it is rude to keep quiet …
@Culling Song (Comment 81) : You
At a loss for words 
I find that very difficult to believe
@bergshark (Comment 79) : always check back page sports as your first stop… it’s in our list of links on the right hand side
@robdylan (Comment 76) : that’s why you need nonsense – talkers like me
@bergshark (Comment 30) : I’m keen! Don’t forget me if you organise it!
Reki heard you got married cogratulations!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 88) : ahhh – such last year news
thanks 
I must say that even if I lived in a rural part of KZN where they only have dial-up, I wud STILL have logged on and visited the SW pages just to help get the counter up above 200 marker and make Rob’s Christmas a little more pleasant. The poor guy had to spend it in Wales after all.
everyone check this out.
http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/news/
general/111221/The_Sharks_vs_Dolphins
Seems Lambie is no stranger to being a captain…. – giving me idea’s ….
@robdylan (Comment 85) : Sir, yes sir!
@Greg (Comment 84) : Yes Greg we all know you guys won the currie cup.
Nice avatar boet.
@Uli (Comment 91) : The journalist that published that on Sharksrugby should really have verified his facts about Lambie
He was captain of Michaelhouse cricket (as well as rugby) but not an SA Schools cricketer. He made SA Schools for rugby.
@vanmartin (Comment 92) :
Sir Rob Dylan how does that sound. 
Re: sharks vs dolphins: Will be interesting to see if the sharks catching has improved
@Uli (Comment 91) : I think they would have done well to mention Conrad Jantjes who played rugby, cricket and even soccer for SA at school level
@beet (Comment 94) : You see, once again sensationalist, unverified articles, popping up all over the place
@Muzi (Comment 95) : Seconded!
@Greg (Comment 98) : It’s 2012 man! There’s no time to fact-check!
@vanmartin (Comment 100) : lol
@theswan4 (Comment 25) :
Bwaaahaaahaaa!
This oke is a freaking riot! Talk about a rebel without a cause! Someone get this guy to Tahir Square.
@robdylan (Comment 58) : MY FATHER PASSED AWAY IN 1986 I DON’T HAVE A STEP FATHER WHO ARE YOU REFERRING TO WHAT IS HIS NAME ETC ETC??
aai dudes.
Just stop all this hatred, esp to a new year start.
@theswan4 (Comment 103) : hey mate its a new year dude cmon relax.
If you are not happy with sharksworld then go join keo.co.za.
You will enjoy Grant10 and his mates.
@theswan4 (Comment 103) : I’m looking for the husband of the woman you have listed as your mother on facebook. In my world, that’s a stepfather, but hey… could always be wrong.
@robdylan (Comment 106) : what is up with theswan4
Do you guys have beef or what
@Muzi (Comment 107) : Nope, a swan is poultry, beef you get from a cow (or a bull)
@rekinek (Comment 50) : Oh yeah I remember that fondly . .. polished my car with it hehehe
Bulls flags also come in very handy when you run out of firestarters!
@Muzi (Comment 107) : I didn’t think so, but clearly I was wrong.
@bergshark (Comment 43) : What about Harry Gwala Stadium, would be awesome if Sharks could fill that stadium…
Maybe like a Currie Cup game there, since we have super 15 games against all our local teams already twice a year in Dbn.
@robdylan (Comment 106) : OK I GET IT, SHE IS MY MOTHER IN LAW HE IS MY FATHER IN LAW I WILL TELL HIM YOU ARE LOOKING FOR HIM OK.
@theswan4 (Comment 112) : thank you
Whole lotta weirdness goin’ on up in here…
@Big Fish (Comment 114) :
@Big Fish (Comment 114) :
It’s called Caps Lock fury…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 116) :
JOINING THEPARTY “50 DAYS TO RUGBY sTARTS!!
@Ice (Comment 61) : hey… now u just watch it
@Greg (Comment 108) :
@Big Fish (Comment 114) : you can say that again
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 118) : that means in 10 days we can have a party
its raining on the east coast, spending the day walking up and down Gateway….. what a day to loose out on SW….. and for a big mall like that…. poor net-signal
@Franshark (Comment 122) : now there is an idea!
Hi everyone…i am a newbie here….anyone got anymore info on this story. just so i can keep the yapping WP supporters out of the cavities on the side of my head .
help
@The Duke (Comment 125) : Hey duke – welcome to the site. I think there’s not really much more to this story than we’ve reported… the Sharks want to get more bums on seats at Kings Park ahead of the Super Rugby season and a single low-key game against Boland isn’t going to accomplish that. I expect there might be a high-profile side lined up for 3 Feb
so its been confirmed then ? or just whisperings . thanks for the welcome !
@The Duke (Comment 125) :
Willkommen!
@The Duke (Comment 125) : Welcome Duke!
Thanks everyone…nice to be onboard…now wheres the bar ?
@The Duke (Comment 130) : Let me know when you find it. I’ve been looking for it for 4 years now and still no luck.
Welcome!
if you build it they will come !
@The Duke: ahh! Some nobility
Welcome
@The Duke (Comment 125) : Welcome to the site! Just a word to the wise though; remember that there is no entry requirement, so you can expect to come across some real freakin’ weirdos over here!
@The Duke: case in point ..Culling Song (mr:green)
Thanks all…but im as weird as they get…so i shall fir in nicely ! i am a frequent poster elsewhere but always read up here, to get my fix !!. South African Based in Scotland so i will go anywhere to get it…hmmm..sounds suspect.
@Die Kriek:welkom
@The Duke:comment 136: you should feel at home with Culling Song and Pokkel around ,then (mr:green)
@bergshark (Comment 138) :
understudies !
@The Duke:comment139:
@The Duke (Comment 136) :@bergshark (Comment 138) : Ignore the rubbish Bergshark is spouting, I think the moist midlands air is rotting his brain. Pokkel and I are the embodiment of normality; caucasian suburban dwellers, approaching middle age, married, kids, employed, no tattoos, piercings, weird haircuts or any such accoutrements.
So you’re in Scotland? As of yesterday I am the proud owner of one square foot of land in Islay; maybe you can visit my property sometime and tell me what it’s like…?
@Culling Song (Comment 141) : When are you going to start building a weekend cottage for us at your new plot?
@Culling Song (Comment 141) : How do you know I have no tatoos?
@The Duke:comments142&143: but hey,don’t just take my word for it (mr:green)
@Pokkel (Comment 142) : Going to take some crafty engineering to balance it on a one square foot stand…
@Pokkel (Comment 143) : @bergshark (Comment 144) : OK, I’ll concede your point Bergshark – Pokkel *is* weird…
@Pokkel (Comment 143) : Let me rephrase; no visible tattoos…
@Culling Song (Comment 146) : ya … he wants to build a cottage on one square foot
(ps. just don’t spoil my fun by saying that this is some sort of idiom or so
@rekinek (Comment 148) : No idiom; lot is genuinely only one square foot in size. But it was free
@rekinek (Comment 148) :
He has plans drawn up already! Upside down pyramid or something of the sorts!
@Pokkel:
@Culling Song (Comment 149) : You should bid on the jersey since I’ve never see any ‘visible’ Sharks gear in your house or ‘on’ you!
@Pokkel (Comment 152) : that’s truly shocking and so unlike of “caucasian suburban dwellers, approaching middle age, married, kids, employed, no tattoos, piercings, weird haircuts or any such accoutrements.”
@Pokkel (Comment 152) : I’ll probably get forcibly expelled from this site for saying this, but if I had R2500 to blow there’s a whole bunch of whisky, music and books I’d rather buy. I may love the Sharks, but they’re still some way down the pecking order when it comes to my passions/addictions…
@Pokkel (Comment 150) :
I suggest a wooden cabin built on a stilt.
@Culling Song (Comment 154) :
I’m with you – you gotta do a bit more than mid-table rubbish to get my hard-earned R2500+.
@Culling Song (Comment 147) : An invisible tattoo? Now there is a novel idea
the sharks union must be a delusional bunch if they think they will make bank through gate takings from a “friendly” when their fans don’t show up for semi-finals
@Big Fish (Comment 156) :
Just to clarify: this is a joke. I’m gonna be bidding for that jersey – especially since its got the 2007 team there too.
@Megatron (Comment 158) : good point – but something better than nothing – unless they were receiving some broadcast fees for participation in neoseries.
@Big Fish (Comment 156) : does hard – earned money weigh more than light-earned money
@rekinek (Comment 161) :
Someone get a joke-book for Christmas?
@Big Fish (Comment 162) : “for dummies” version
hMMM..It appears someone has left a door open at some district asylum….and i like it
@The Duke: and you still to meet wpw and clayton (mr:green)
@The Duke (Comment 164) : it was the Sharksward ..
@bergshark (Comment 165) : poor thing
@rekinek:comment166:
I’m outta here,good evening to @rekinek and all ( @The Duke: I take it you the nocturnal type (mr:green) ).
@bergshark (Comment 169) : take care and chatta later
@rekinek (Comment 170) : Hey Reckless Recks!
@Ice (Comment 171) : hey – i am practising your new year’s resolution since it is Friday night
ah sh*t…i posted in the wrong thread earlier…
let me repeat my mumblings …Is it a mere co-inky-dink that Sarries are training in CT. and i see the cheetahs accepted the invite late december already so why havent us loyal sharks fans been given more news.
@The Duke (Comment 173) : What more news do you want?
The Sharks withdrew because the thing is a waste of time.
Do you want them to tell us if they emailed or faxed the notification?
@beet (Comment 6) : Oh yay, even more rugby to look forward to then, and more excuses from “tired” players.
There is already far too much rugby and for the first time before a Super tournament I’m not actually looking forward to it as much as I usually do. The thought of two fixtures against each of the other SA teams (losing out on one NZ and one Aus team in the process) almost puts me to sleep.
The sooner they can this silly conference system the better.
@siorc (Comment 175) : The thing is all the teams realise how vital warm-up games are, so ur not going to get away from these. No side wants to go into an important compo cold. Now the bosses want to make money from warm up games. I’m just proposing a way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
I also feel that if the conference system continues after 2012, sanzar should consider halving the points earned from local conference games eg 2 pts for a win instead of 4. In that way the unfair advantage a strong team in a weak conference has, is reduced.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 174) : Well if you had that info then it would of been nice if you could of shared it with us all…. i mean seriously its like pulling hens teeth !
@Culling Song (Comment 134) :
@Franshark (Comment 178) :
i have taken his advice…do you have any more for me…
@rekinek (Comment 166) :
@rekinek (Comment 172) : the wine and Rugby… Where you get the game
@The Duke (Comment 179) : Let me say this, about all on here are nuts…. The rest…. Is worse
… No seriously, I love to be part of this family…
@The Duke (Comment 179) : if you’re on a PC, search meet the bloggers, a post that was done in December, something of Know you fellow blogger will tell you a lot about the bloggers, and then somme add your part
@Culling Song (Comment 134) : Since when did you (we) start referring to me (us) in the plural?
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