Dick Muir looks set to have a virtually full strength squad available for the match against the Stormers on Saturday night.
Fred Michalak, Odwa Ndungane, Skipper Badenhorst, Steven Sykes and Keegan Daniel are all fit for the game, giving Muir exactly the sort of problem he’d like to have when deciding whom to leave out.
The only casualties from the Force game are Johan Ackermann and Ruan Pienaar, both of whom should be expected to play. AJ Venter suffered a freak dog-walking accident, but again, it’s unlikely to be serious enough to keep him out of the game.
The Wildebeest kick off their Vodacom Cup campaign as well this weekend, so it’s probable that a number of the returning stars (definitely Sykes, but probably Ndungane, Daniel and Badenhorst too) will be given the opportunity to build up match fitness in the reverse strip of white and black. I wouldn’t expect to see many changes to the team that did battle against the Force, although we know that Michalak is sure to come in at 10, meaning a move to the last line of defence for Frans Steyn.
The only real selection dilemma will then be the position of left wing, where Henno Mentz failed to impress. The smart money would be on a move to the wing for Stefan Terblanche, who did his reputation no harm on Friday night. Another option would be to bring Odwa Ndungane straight into his favoured position on the right and shift JP Pietersen across.
If it were me, I’d give Odwa a run with the Wildebeest first, resulting in the following line-up:
Possible Sharks team:
15 Steyn, 14 Pietersen, 13 Murray, 12 Barritt, 11 Terblanche, 10 Michalak, 9 Pienaar, 8 Kankowski, 7 Venter, 6 Botes, 5 Muller (capt), 4 Ackermann, 3 Botha, 2 B du Plessis, 1 Mtawarira
Tweet
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm good looking team!
Yeah – provided they bring their hands with them this week 😉
Please and no useless kicking, might as well switch to the soccer channel… 👿
This is awesome… we have Kelvin Deaker as the ref. I hate playing local derbies with an SA ref.
Amen, Charlie. Let’s keep the ball in hand and see exactly how good Jean’s defence really is…
I also suffered an accident in a dog walking accident at the KP afterparty – that guy really didnt like me lifting my leg on that shiny Ferrari of his.
Amazing how that paint just runs right off when you’re excreting pure ethanol… 😉
…Jean’s defence 🙄 at least they’ve import Bobo to cover him… 😈
Bobs is a pretty fearsome tackler… also got a decent step on him.
Let’s see how Waylon handles him
Skipper will be available for selection Rob?
Oh happy day! 😐
it would suck if the Wildebeest didn’t have an experienced campaigner at hooker…
If I am Waylon I would target Bobo’s outside channel… 😉
But the real fireworks will start when Adi gets onto the park… 😈
Ja, Skipper adds that extra dimension to the forward play.
Also provides good go-forward ball. Real go-to man that. 🙄
19.02.08 12:44:17 – Charlie
If you were Waylon you would be about 20cm taller and 25kg heavier! 😀
I reckon we should play pretty tight against them – they are good at turning over ball, but some of their forwards tend to not defend well close to the breakdown as they waltz around amongst the backs instead.
It wouldn’t Look good if I mentioned any names. 😛
Watson your mind, Fish? 👿 😈
And his lineout accuracy Fish?
Anyone keep track of how many lineout throws Burden scroefed up on Friday? I only saw one…
Seen this on Voldy…
Muir warns Stormers…
Super 14 | February 19th, 2008
The Sharks plan to keep the ball in hand against the Stormers in Durban on Saturday.
Last year’s Super 14 finalists were guilty of kicking possession away against the Force, a tactic that almost cost them victory. Sharks coach Dick Muir says they won’t make the same mistake in round two.
“I think we are in for a very interesting match,” told the Mercury’s Mike Greenaway. “We will not kick away so much possession this week – we overdid it because we were unsure about the new laws, because we were playing an Australian side that had more experience of these laws and we also tend to keep the game tighter when it is so humid.”
Muir said the Sharks woud not feed possession to a Stormers team that is already under pressure after losing to the Bulls at home.
“I think the Stormers believed they were going to beat the Bulls at Newlands. That loss will have hurt them,” Muir said. “And let’s not forget the good old Sharks-Stormers rivalry – it is still very strong and it has been stoked a bit by them taking Gcobani Bobo from us. We are under no illusions as to the mood of the Stormers.”
PJLD,
Always spot-on in oppostion hands… 👿
…sorry “opposition”… 😳
19.02.08 12:55:05 – Charlie
Haha!
Thats true PJLD.
Rob, that was rather cheeky old boy.
Rob,
Honestly Burden lost the plot as a hooker, he’s in the same mould as Schalk Brits although Burger’s lineout throwing’s on par… 😉
It was a bit of a struggle to come up with that one.
Charlie – good stuff. Ball in hand (and keeping it in the forwards) should be the approach.
Thanx Rob…
Charlie, give Burden time.
He has the strength and aggression to play hooker, and throwing is a technical skill that will improve with time and practise.
The first time I saw him live, I was very impressed with his tackling and rucking. Everybody knows he is an excellent ball-carrier, but he is very good on defence too.
I must go watch the last 20 minutes again. Burds made a lovely break or two and seemed ok in the scrums, although having Jannie Doep and Fatboy Lensing on either side must have helped.
Did he raelly cock up that badly, Charlie?
IMO, you are a born hooker (surely not the one’s doing night shift) but I might be wrong, I just see Burden doing better in the backline… 😀
I’m going to fire up the last 20 minutes again as soon as my wife goes out…
Charlie, lots of good hookers started playing as flankers. Pretty similar possie to an opensider in some ways.
Rob,
Bang vir die pantoffel regering, maar pasop vir die koekroller as ‘n bonus… 🙄
❗ ❓
Any translation for Rob on this one… 😳
Is it true that Schalk Burger was in St Petersburg last night for the Laureus awards?
Surely he shouldn’t be jetsetting the week before the Strompies big game vs the mighty Sharks?
Oh yes I forget, they are show ponies 😯
must say, I also found that strange. Maybe his rib injury is worse than they’re letting on and he won’t play this weekend…
I can’t believe that the disciplanarian Rassie would let him globe trot before a game – not when the Bok team already had other delegates…
I think we’re onto something…
Rob,
Schalk will only be back by Thursday, but Rassie said that he would slot into the starting team for Saturady… 😉
PS Rob you know that the Sharks released Rudi “Domkrag” Mathee from his contract? You know the up & coming top Lions u21 flank/lock?
Looks like the Wildebeeste will be full of young Academy players this eason… oh & Keegan Daniel.
Rassie isplaying games again 🙄
Rather have to get a new keyboard…sending a mail to the IT guy… 😡
…”Saturday”… 😳
you also have a dyslexic keyboard Charlie?
Le Requinny,
With the Stormers depth @ hand there’s not much games to play…Luke @ flyhalf perhaps or Jean (Softy) @ lock…
you also have a dyslexic keyboard Charlie?
19.02.08 14:06:54 – Le Requinny
There it just went into the rubbish bin… 😛
Luke at flyhalf is open secret though… Imagine Sicknote at lock, wouldn’t last 5 minutes…
didn’t know that about Mathee… guess he didn’t make the grade.
Seems a lot is expected of this Justin Downey fella…
don’t know much about Downey – he was still u21 last year, no?
Who’s the black fella at flank? Made a few CC sub appearances last season. Who else is there? Nikolai?
Le Requinny,
Skholiwe Ndlovu, think he’s going to play in the Vodacom Cup… 😀
Who gives a S&*t about last week.
This week our opposition are going to be crushed. 😉
Go Sharks!!!!!
ah ta for that Charlie!
Didn’t realise Downey had gone to Mexted’s academy…
Playing Position: Blindside flank
Province: Natal
Club: College Rovers
2002 – Natal U16
2006 – Natal Duikers
2006 – Natal Amateur
2006 – College Rovers National Club Championships
2007 – Wildebeeste Trials
2007 – Murray Mexted High Performance Academy
2007 – KZN U21
Personal Details
Full Name Justin
Surname Downey
Height 193cm
Weight 102kg
Birth Date 11 November 1986
Birth City Johannesburg
Marital Status Single
Favourite Film Gladiator
Favourite Music House
Favourite Food Sushi
Primary School Virginia Primary
Secondary School Northwood High
Tertiary Education Sharks Academy
So Skollie is another Northwood player. Seems a tad on the small side though…
Skholiwe Ndlovu
Playing Position:Flank
Current Province:Kwazulu-Natal
Club:Crusaders
Honours:
2005/6 – Our Ladies Boys (Ireland)
Personal Details
Full Name Skholiwe
Nick Name Skollie
Surname Ndlovu
Height 180cm
Weight 90kg
Birth Date 13 February 1985
Birth City Natal
Marital Status Single
Primary School Northlands
Secondary School Northwood Boys
Click here for a list of squads this person has been in.
Big Nik… hope he eventually comes good this year
and Keegan “Yellow Card” Daniel too…
Skollie & hopefully not another Solly…
Rob,
You stirring the pot on Voldy… 😈
ooh, are we stitting over at Voldy. Lemme go see 😈
he he. Just teasing some of those big blue fellas… they don’t move fast enough to really hold my interest for lnog
Rob,
You also need a new keybord, or perhaps typing fingers cross… 😯
“i tire of this ” 😆 😆
he he….
Serious my broe… 😯
what’s wrong with my typing? 😕
Good afternoon everyone! He Charlie!
Think you are being a bit harsh on Craig – I think the lineouts will come right with more practice – you must remember it’s only been a couple of months.
I watched him play at ABSA in the last round robin match of the CC and he scored 2 tries, made 2 tries and tackled like a demon. Think he is going to be great. Just needs more game time.
Looking forward to Fluke hopefully getting Bismarck-ed this weekend…absolutely loved the way he ran over the Henjakker on Friday
Le Requinny – exactly. People seem to forget how skew Skipper throws as well – and he has had plenty of practice!
Haha! I loved that tackle by Mametsa- Luke “Bunny-hop” Watson it is.
Bismark, Beats, BJ and Kanko handed out some massive PK’s on Friday. Giteau copped a few, as did Mitchell.
I am still in two minds about Burden at hooker.
Watched him in a game or two as a wing and thought he was awesome, finally a winger who didn’t just submit to the tackle but ried to stay on his feet once tackled.
If the throwing in at the line out wasn’t that important then I would not still be in two minds and would embrace him as the hooker with open arms.
It is (to me anyway) to important to retain your lineout ball and to now still have the added worry of a hooker who doesn’t find his jumper everytime does add a little bit of doubt/pressure on the players.
Other than his throwing he is great in all the other areas required of a hooker.
I think Skipper has chronic tennis elbow
and Jenneker chronic flying fists…
Hi Nessa,
Surely they can let him work on his hooker skills in the Vodacom Cup & draft him back later on in the Super 14…We need Bismarck most of the time on the park… 😎
AND YOU KNOW WHAT????????????
I am at home so WILL see the game this weekend.
Bismarck two – Stormers nil Is my predition. 😉
Le Requinny,
Jenneker, the Sharks own Mike Tyson look a like, tatoos and all… 😈
I think Nessa is right…I’d cut some slack for Burden than Skip. For an “international”…he really hasn’t improved much. Bizzy on the other hand improves all the time…and I’m not just talking line-outs.
KSA – I watched Craig play at wing and at centre. Quite liked him at 13. Went to Pietermaritzburg to watch him play and he had an awesome game at 13. However, we have so many wings and centres he wasn’t getting any game time. Maybe this is his way of staying with the Sharks and getting time on the field? It hasn’t been easy for him. The scrums are murder on the neck and shoulders when you aren’t used to it.
Charlie – I agree and I think that was the plan, to start him off playing for the Wildebeest but they had injuries and he had to play.
Quin – I must say there were some “awesome” tackles on Saturday. Poor old Matt took a few. Beast was awesome. Ryan also had a great one and, of course, Bis.
I was also disappointed with Jody’s step up from the Wildebeest. 2 years ago we watched a lot of Wildebeest rugby – living in Jhb there were a lot of games in Witbank, Rustenburg, Brakpan, and we went to quite a few games. He really impressed me – yet he never seemed to step his game up a gear when he played for the Sharks.
Nessa – when last did you see sharkgirl?
i just watched the last 12 minute again. Burds ballsed up the only lineout throw he had, but otherwise was effective. All over the park, just what you need your RESERVE hooker to do for you. I wouldn’t start with him yet, but I’d always pick him on my bench.
As with any of the other recycled hookers it will take time.
the others have made a success of it, well Kuun did, Brits not so much, i see no reason why burden won’t make a success of it
Schalk Brits for Bok 2 😐
Kuun… Rob… love this guy… 😈
Howzit Claytie 😎
PJLD 🙂
I am afraid that is One Mr. John Smit’s position with Bismarck as the backup.
Ola Charlie
Kuün? Good Vodacom Cup flanker.
The sooner the Bulls get the LEGEND back in their front row, the better.
Dalton was a flanker,no?
Chris Rossouw from the ’95 team was too.
Jenneker played flank and even 15 a few times!
I know there were a few other who also went to hooker late.
Burden just didnt have the gas for 13 or wing at the highest level. But as a hooker or even a flank, he would have the right amount of strength, speed, aggression and ball-skills to be a handful.
I also think he is much more committed than the likes of Schalk Britz, and just more naturally giften then Derrick Kuhn.
The sooner the Bulls get the LEGEND back in their front row, the better.
19.02.08 15:31:47 – robdylan
Is Robbie Fleck playing for the Bulls now? 😯
Jenneker at 15? He must have got very fit running to each punch up from fullback, only to run back again afterwards.
Pah. The TRUE Boys High LEGEND, fish!
RD – haven’t seen her for a while. Have lost a bit of touch with the supporters clubs.
I haven’t heard from her in frikking YEARS either.
What about that Roger Fawcett chap? Man, he was scary… he just wouldn’t stop calling me.
Rob the stalker getting freaked out by a stalker
is that irony or what?
who? what was that about?
Speaking of notable absences, whatever happened to StMichelle?
I really hope she didn’t tombstone in desperation after the WC final…
Excuse my ignorance, but who is the legend from Boys high?
the chap ran/runs an “unofficial” Sharks supporters club in Joburg.
aaah-ha.
Malatse Ralepelle
Quinny
StM has popped in at RW once or twice since the WC but has not dared/bothered to leave a comment.
Unfortunately with me not being a BM on RW anymore I cannot tell you if he still pops in or not. 😉
lol KSA, just goes to show that old bean’s stiff upper lip was in fact not so stiff…
Et tu, KSA?
THE old bean…
gremlins 👿
http://www.sharks-supporters.co.za. If you look at the gallery, Roger is the guy in the pic next to Rocket
You find your password, Ollmeister? 😉
Yep
Been a hectic coupla days/weeks for me. 😕
how so?
He looks a bit like a paedo 😯
Et tu, KSA?
19.02.08 16:01:30 – Ollie Edit
❓ ❓
I am a Dutchie (no wait Afrikaans not Dutchie 😉 ) What does that mean? I know Ceasar said it to Brutus but have no clue what it means.
Ah rob you refering to Chillboy.
It started right about a week ago from last Friday when my wife went to hospital for an appendix op. Throw a 2 year old, the issues around starting a new job, rugby coaching, some work for an organisation into the mix and ……. well, you get the message
Sorry RD – boss asked me to type something for him (damn cheek)!
I still sometimes get my tickets through Roger. He and I have decided to agree to disagree. We went through a stage where we had harsh words but we seem to have reached a happy medium.
et tu is french/latin for and you.
lawdy, this is disgraceful.
you are taking the piss, ne KSA?
http://www.sharks-supporters.co.za. If you look at the gallery, Roger is the guy in the pic next to Rocket
19.02.08 16:02:19 – robdylan
Rob, can’t open it, get this message:
The website declined to show this webpage
———————————————————————-
Nessa, now how could you ever disagree with a feloow Shark?
19.02.08 16:07:22 – provincejoulekkading
That’s what I thought too
KSA,
Basically it means “You to?” or “And you”
Quinny
No dude I am sorry not taking the piss, 😳 Ceasar was not high on the Agenda in kroonstad. 🙂
Okay thanks Quinny.
Ollie.
Are you asking And you KSA have you been back since resigning? Or are you asking have I also left?
it’s my fault, Quinn. I added a full stop at the end of the URL. Try this:
http://www.sharks-supporters.co.za
Asking if you have also left.
he he. KSA wasn’t thrown out the way I was, anyway 😉
Yip Ollie
I resigned on 30 Jan after it became apparent that Stan/Soutpansberg was being allowed (asked to) come back by one of the Boardmembers while being part of the Dinkskrum group.
What on earth is Dinkskrum?
9.02.08 16:17:43 – robdylan
Ollie Dinkskrum is the site that was started by a group of RW regulars in protest to the way RW was being run.
it is a by invite only blog that posts strictly in Afrikaans.
Sheesh, politics is everywhere 👿
What on earth is Dinkskrum?
19.02.08 16:19:07 – Ollie
Yes, what is it?
Lol, Stan was worth the odd laugh though to be fair…
Ahoy Ollie!
was that site a reality???? 😯
Oh, and i just realised Ollie is also a shark, you may as well call this damned place Sharksworld!!
Howdy Vinnie
Quinny he was a laugh but at the end of the day it was always a laugh at soembody else’s expense.
And he’s largely responsible for the downfall of RW IMHO.
Ollie – Dinkskrum is kinda the polar opposite to Sharksworld, I guess. It’s the blogging equivalent of comparing Hitler to Ghandi, although I won’t mention which is which.
Lentils, anyone?
pjld, feeling lonely? 🙂
So no surprises that I didnt make the cut for a dinkskrum invite…
The link to the site is Dinksrum.com
Quinny the ODD laugh being the operative word. he was far more abusive and racist on most occasions though.
Claytie’s on top form today 😉
sheesh, you’re on fire today robbie.
ja ok, I do agree that he was totally out of line on a number of occasions, probably outweighing the proverbial laugh.
Maybe it was a case of him getting too comfortable though…
KSA, I see you have to login to just see the place
mmmm, alls looks a bit 1970’s SAUK for me…
who’s running it?
Kom Binne Vrinne 😆 😆 😆
Gees but you guys are fast – leave for 2 minutes and have to read for 10 before I can post again – by then there is another page of postings!
Quinn – believe me, I can disagree with anyone! Beware!
And he’s largely responsible for the downfall of RW IMHO.
19.02.08 16:23:32 – VinChainSaw Edit
NO MATE YOU GOT THAT WRONG!!!!!
It is the Sharks’ fault for driving the other provinces particularly the Bulls away from RW.
As soon as we left invites were sent out to them to come back.
Ollie with all the sushi and shark fin soup around here,who needs friends.
NO MATE YOU GOT THAT WRONG!!!!!
It is the Sharks’ fault for driving the other provinces particularly the Bulls away from RW.
As soon as we left invites were sent out to them to come back.
19.02.08 16:27:35 – KSA Shark ©
😯 😀 👿
KSA, I see you have to login to just see the place
19.02.08 16:26:02 – Ollie Edit
Yeah, and being English AND a Shark you have NO CHANCE of an invite. 😉
so what exactly did we do?
Well, to each his own. I still have friends there. Not many, admittedly, but yeah.
I wish them all the best.
so what exactly did we do?
19.02.08 16:29:55 – Le Requinny Edit
We had a sense of humour and didn’t say “[email protected] JOU” when we were upset.
Poor old Rasputin…
hehehe
so you didn’t answer re-who is running it with that outdated web design…?
I know I got on the shitlist because I didnt post racist comments and got very upset when others did…
Vinnie,
You were also asked to leave? 😯
i would venture…GBS?
I know I got on the shitlist because I didnt post racist comments and got very upset when others did…
19.02.08 16:35:12 – VinChainSaw
And I notice you don’t start your comments with “Boere”.. You have NO CHANCE of an invite dude.
Not sure eGGzacklty who is ruNNing it, but I have a gOOd idea…
Ok, I’m out of here, pals… got a vicious headache that I need to try sleep off.
mmmm, alls looks a bit 1970’s SAUK for me…
who’s running it?
19.02.08 16:26:49 – Le Requinny
😀
I didnt get an invite cos I are black… Story of my life. 😉
Naandse Boere! 😈
Broeder KSA, ek wil nou net vir jou se dat hierbo die jukskei gebruik ons 8 boor geweers.
En ons issie skaam om hom te grbruik nie. Verstaan jy my?
Ons vattie kakkie.
Hey medicine woman – it is the Donner that runs that site.
BF
You didn’t get an invite because you dare go after white girls. dude. 🙄
19.02.08 16:38:44 – robdylan
mmmm, well the SAUK banner-esque heading could also be Shimlas colours….
Hey medicine woman – it is the Donner that runs that site.
19.02.08 16:40:12 – VinChainSaw Edit
I believe that is not the case, he told his fellow BM’s that he was only helping them set it up.
Donner?
But Donner has his hands full with RW? Eish, this is confusing. We could script a rugby soap out of all this.
Oh really KSA. Was under the impression it was his.
Although in fairness I wouldnt own up to running that site either.
OO maybe?
It’s all like a secret broederbond…
Not much going on in RW these days I’m afriad.
Only oke I miss a bit is Big Dave.
Each to their own I suppose. Couldn’t care to be bothered about any of it. The site where the most interesting and social atmosphere is where I will be.
Skopskiet was ruining it at RW for me a bit.
i didn’t get an invite either, f’ing disgraceful.
oh well, nother cup of tea.
i was very fond of some of the boere, better change my pic again…where is Oom Paul.
19.02.08 16:44:02 – Ollie
schnap!
Coincidence IS?
Ollie posts a Skopskiet comment and cab appears out of the Blue
For those of you who don’t know, Cab and Skopskiet are late night drinking buddies and get along really well.
was skopskiet in anyway related to St Michelle?
I have my suspicions that skopskiet is amember of the Watson clan.
a tad more tolerance, life is more interesting with variety.
SS is simple, just leave, if he has nothing to rally against, he’s poked, like any troll.
😆 @ KSA
was skopskiet in anyway related to St Michelle?
19.02.08 16:48:55 – Le Requinny Edit
I think not, If his love for cab’s “aristocracy” was anything to go by then i would say putting Skop and StM on a thread together could just blow up a server.
but that’s just it KSA. Polar opposites but able to provoke the same sort of reaction. Sign of a master WUM. A re-invented British blueblood based in the Cape… hmmm
lol KSA, lord Fontleroy please.
Quinny, ja similar suspicions.
anyway looks like a very nice site setup here with some good okes, so i cant give you as much hassles.
I have my suspicions that skopskiet is amember of the Watson clan.
19.02.08 16:49:46 – Le Requinny
He would have to be. Nobody else would be able to have such an inbred hatred for Jake White.
He was/is quite fanatical about his JW dislike wasn’t he.
I haven’t seen him on RW for a while, was he eventually banned?
and seemingly frothed at the mouth when talking religion / spiritual beliefs etc etc
A topic best avoided on a rugby blog
Ollie
Not sure, there seems to be a regular turnover of comments in the Comments awaiting moderation and he has had a few outbursts of late of his comments not being displayed.
😯 and I thought this was a RUGBY BLOG 😕 😉 🙂
It is, we are discussing the fans. hehehehehe
M2
🙂
That’s Bull 😈
KSA – how was your loooooonnnnggg drive? Maybe you had too much time to think??? 😆
got home at 02:30 this am and slept for most of the day. 🙂