John Plumtree revealed in an interview with Ballz Radio yesterday that two other Sharks loose forwards are battling ahead of the Super Rugby opener against the Cheetahs. This comes hot on the heels of Keegan Daniel’s knee injury, which will keep the skipper out of action for around 6 weeks.
Plumtree told Darren Scott that Willem Alberts continues to struggle with his chronic shoulder problem, which has been bugging him for the last 6 months or more. Alberts played no part in the Sharks’ win over the Leopards last weekend and it’s sounding unlikely that he’ll be fit to take on the Pumas this weekend either. Whether he recovers in time to start against the Cheetahs, or hands the “loose forward enforcer” baton over to Jean Deysel for that game, remains to be seen.
Plumtree also confirmed that Marcell Coetzee will miss Friday’s trip to Nelspruit, presumably as the result of a knock sustained against the Leopards. Coetzee was not named in the original squad to play at Woodburn Stadium, but did make a surprise appearance off the bench in the second half.
With neither Daniel nor Coetzee in the mix, it’s likely that Plumtree will stick with Jacques Botes at open side flank for Friday’s encounter, with Deysel then continuing in the number 7 jersey. Either Ryan Kankowski or Tera Mtembu will complete the loose trio.
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My Granddad was at the meeting tonight where Plum said Willem’s shoulder is a worry, but after questioning Willem himself he said he thinks it will be fine just a niggle.
@Seth101 (Comment 1) : I think it’s a major concern if it has been bothering him for the last 6 months
Not hugely concerned ,its a long competition
Botes openside, Coetzee blindside, Kanko at 8, Stander on the bench. I don’t see the problem.
We are well covered, and as long as Alberts do not need surgery, it can be a blessing in disguise, keep him fresh for the competition.
Use Willem sparingly at the start of the S15, and then off the bench for a while
PSDT may have a bigger role to play at loosie than at lock this season.
@TRF_Ezequiel (Comment 4) : Stander? You rate him ahead of Deysel?
i guess i will get slack for this BUT, if all else fails, we could still go in for Derick Minnie on loan, as he`s got S15 experience etc. I`m all for giving the youngsters a chance, but if we lost Keegan, Willem and a Marcell for an extended period, i would seriously consider Minnie… solely for his experience…
Plenty of time to get the team back to full strength, no use starting the season with a full strength team just to lose half your team at the business end of the season.
Rather save these boys for when it really matters.
In a late development, it sounds like Marcell might make it back before Friday after all….
@VanWilder (Comment 9) : nah i think let the youngsters show us what they can do like marcel did last year