Well, well, well… seems there may be more changes afoot in Shark-town after all.
As I mentioned in the comments section yesterday, the team that was announced for the Sharks only appeared on www.superrugby.co.za and nowhere else. Of particular interest (or concern) was the fact that no team announcement had yet appeared on the official Sharks site, casting doubts over the validity of the team that SuperRugby carried.
Based on an article that Gavin Rich wrote on the very same site this morning, it appears that we should probably discard their previous announcement, as the named team might differ substantially.
The gist of Rich’s article seems to be that Frans Steyn may be selected to play at inside center, with Brad Barritt facing the chop. Rich makes this deduction based on a single quote from coach Muir, viz “I think Frans was a little frustrated at fullback and that is why we saw him coming up into the line so much and take so many big hits”. Pretty speculative, if you ask me, but again, Rich seems pretty sure of himself on this one and following the “no smoke without fire” theory, we should probably brace ourselves for the possibility that we might see Steyn in 12 and Terblanche in 15 once the real side is named.
Pienaar is definitely out and will be replaced by Kockott, that much we know for sure. It appears, though, that we were probably spot on regarding Bismarck du Plessis earlier this week and that he is at this stage considered extremely doubtful. My guess is that the Sharks are trying really hard to hide this fact from the Bulls until the very last minute.
We have had this corroborated by yet another source (or sauce). Don’t expect Skipper Badenhorst to be named in the number 2 shirt, though. We think Craig Burden will get the nod for his first Super 14 start.
Stop the mind games, Dick. Name your team. You have a strong squad with a lot of depth. Show the players that you back them. Name the team early and get one with honing your own gameplan. This cloak and dagger nonsense is counterproductive.
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curioser and curioser
The gist of Rich’s article seems to be that Frans Steyn may be selected to play at inside center
NAH CAN’T BE!!!!!!!!!
You must just be trying to cheer me up!!!!
Moer hulle met daai skop skoen Fransie!!!!!!!!!
Stop the mind-games – dont be a Dick Muir.
(Groan all you want to – I think its funny).
😆
Just throw the ball to the number 2 jumper…surely Skipper or Craig can find a jumper 6 metres from the touchline 🙄
28.02.08 11:22:59 – KSA Shark ©
hmmmmm…..remember more then just you asking for Mr Barritt to be relocated to the bench…although admittedly I was in 2 minds about whether to put Mr Jacobs or Mr Steyn in the number 12 jersey.
Whether Bismarck will be there or not all depends on where you read about his injury.
This is what gavin rich has to say.
The hooker position may be less easy to sort out, however, particularly as this match is against the Bulls, who will be smarting from the mauling their tight five took at the hands of the Crusaders last week.
Bismarck du Plessis is extremely doubtful, while it is unlikely that the Sharks will risk regular replacement Craig Burden, a retreaded backline player, in the starting lineup.
So, we could see former Pumas and Stormers hooker Skipper Badenhorst recalled to anchor the scrum at Loftus.
It ALL depends what you want to believe at the moment.
We may have to see who actually takes the field on Sat.
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
DP
You got that right.
I should rephrase that and say it seems the Steyn Supporters club shouts a lot louder than the Barritt supporters club. 😉
One of the worst things Dick learnt from Mac was Ducks and Drakes….
13 JP Nel, 12 Wynand Olivier,10 Morné Steyn,
Ek dink ‘n paar bulle kak in hulle broeke op die oomblik.
JP Nel: Hoe gaan ek hom stop as ek nie my arm mag swaai nie?
Wynand Olivier: Mag ek vir die TJ pass wanneer dit lyk of hy my gaan tackle.
Morne Steyn. Frans!!!!! (Ludeke) ek dag jy se ek sal net daai klein franse bliksem moes tackle. Ek dink my been voel ‘n bietjie seer, is di okay as Hougie begin Saterdag?
DP
We need to balme ourselves and the other media if there are any questions around the team NOT DICK MUIR.
The Sharks official website and/or Dick Muir have not made any announcements to anyone.
28.02.08 11:39:49 – KSA Shark ©
True…but its Dick flagrant disregard for the importance of my FL team that irritates me, he must get his priorities right!
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True…but its Dick flagrant disregard for the importance of my FL team that irritates me, he must get his priorities right!
28.02.08 11:42:38 – Dive Pass
😆 😆 😆
sell bismarck. I did earlier this week.
Burden will start if he doesn’t make it…
DP
When i was playing FL last year I was going through the same thing you are.
I know exactly how you feel 😛
Remember how we (Well at least I) wouldn’t choose any chetahs in my FL team last year becasue rassie kept playing silly buggers with his announced team and the one taking the field. 👿
You are right RD – he should announce his squad and show some faith in their abilities.
KSA – I had forgotten about that! It was so frustrating.
Sharks Starting XV:
15. Francois Steyn
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Waylon Murray
12. Bradley Barritt
11. JP Pietersen
10. Frederic Michalak
9. Rory Kockott
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. AJ Venter
6. Keegan Daniel
5. Johann Muller (Capt)
4. Johan Ackermann
3. BJ Botha
2. Bismarck du Plessis/Skipper Badenhorst
1. Jannie du Plessis
Replacements:
16. Craig Burden
17. Tendai Mtawarira
18. Albert van den Berg
19. Jean Deysel
20. Jacques Botes
21. Adrian Jacobs
22. Stefan Terblanche