The Sharks, through excellent planning by the procurement team led by Rudi Straueli, find themselves in the enviable position among SA franchises of having too much good talent. Perhaps it’s time to look at a system that could use this wealth to benefit other franchises.
What I’m thinking of here is nothing new – it’s a loan system, similar to the draft that exists in New Zealand. The difference here is that this would literally be a short-term player loan, just until the end of the Super 14, to enable other SA teams to shore up weaknesses in their squads. The benefit for both parties is clear. Sharks players who are on the fringes of the squad get regular Super rugby game time, rather than languishing in the Vodacom Cup. Other SA teams have the option of calling on a pool of talented players, at pretty short notice, to bolster areas of weakness.
I would add the proviso that the loaned player HAS to be included in the Super 14 match 22 (or tour squad) so that we don’t end up with Wildebeest players playing Vodacom Cup against the Wildebeest. I would also prevent any “loaned” players from appearing against the Sharks, although this season, it is only really the Cheetahs that we still need to play.
I think there might even be added benefits for the Wildebeest here. Once the “draft squad” is taken out of circulation, Atherton and Louw would actually have a settled squad of players to pick from and can start to build some continuity, rather than having a squad of Sharks reserves that come into and out of the selection frame every week.
So, right now I would definitely send Pat Cilliers to the Stormers. They are crying out for decent cover at prop (better than Juan Harris, anyway) and Pat is unlikely to make the Sharks tour group ahead of BJ Botha, Jannie du Plessis, Deon Carstens or the Beast. Cilliers is too good to be playing Vodacom Cup and could learn a huge amount while contributing to the Stormers’ cause. The Sharks need to take any steps necessary to prevent the Waratahs and Hurricanes from picking up points on their South African tours, after all.
The Bulls are a team looking short of options at hooker and in the back row. Skipper Badenhorst isn’t one of our top hookers, but he does have a lot of Super Rugby experience and could certainly help out at Loftus. Jean Deysel would add a new dimension to the Bulls loose forward play with his combination of pace and bulk. Their colleagues to the south are crying out for more depth at lock, flyhalf, centre and wing, so why not offer the services of Alistair Hargreaves, Tiaan Marx, Andries Strauss, Henno Mentz or Frank Wagenstroom?
Strauss, in particular, is one character who is far, far better than the company he is currently playing in. He would make a huge contribution to any of the Bulls, Lions, Cheetahs or Stormers teams, as none of them have great depth in the centres. The Cheetahs also seem short of experienced campaigners at scrumhalf, so why not offer them Scott Mathie, or even the exciting Charl Macleod as short term cover?
I know I’m dreaming, but you have to admit the idea has merit, not so?
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I think this makes a huge amount of sense
In your humble opinion of course? 🙄
Juan Harris?
Sometimes known as “Brok”… Short for “Broken”, like after he tries to scrum against a decent pack.
Juan freaking Harris? Sounds like the progeny of a fling between Julio Iglesias and one of the Corrs.
Focus, my fishy friend. What do you think of the idea?
I think the idea is great…the Pat Cilliers example was enough to buy me over. What a talent!
As long as we get him back afterwards!
“So, right now I would definitely send Pat Cilliers to the Stormers”
No need. Eddie should be fit soon.
Pat Cilliers is Eddie’s dad. Not bad, considering he’s only 20
Dan het Pat mos anderkant die draad gespeel.
he’s young enough not to know the difference 😉
Agree that the Cheetahs and Bulls are struggling. The depth is not there at all.
That De Bruyn guy at the Cheetahs was shocking. And Conrad Barnard…do me a favour!!
Howzit Villie – my brada from anader mada!!! 😆 😆
We unfortunately don’t have lots of good flyhalves to hand out.
Hi Ice – sussed your boep out earlier, nice photo.
How about 12’s?
Grow another one.
Grow another one.
19.03.08 14:34:44 – Salmonoid
😆 😆 😆
nah – we have no 12s 😉
Dick Muir: “Fransie, how would you feel about playing @ 12?”
Frans Steyn: “Ja Oom Coach. Dis reg met my. Oom kan my maar in ‘n dosyn posisies speel – solank ek net speel.”
Kal-El…you forgot the FS trade mark…Frans Steyn: “Ja Oom Coach. Dis reg met my. Oom kan my maar in ‘n dosyn posisies speel- VERSTAAN – solank ek net speel.VERSTAAN?”
It take some time and “effort” to grow one of THOSE…. 😎
Kal – El 😆
No pun intended by Frans off-course…
Cool Ice!!!
Rob
How about this list of POC who can go out on loan:
Hilton Lobberts
Paul Delport
Thabang Molefe
Ishmaiel Dollie
Nicola Blignaut
Jody Rose
Frank Wagenstroom
Shandre Frolick
I dont think the problem with some of the other franchises is a lack of talent on the playing field – its the astonishing lack of talent in the coaching jackets.
I remember Frans’ first MOM award, I think it was against Province at a very wet Kings Park, and he was being interviewed by Gavin Cowley and kept on addressing him as oom – quiete different from your run of the mill MOM.
Kal-El – with all respect to Fransie – I hope he never becomes captain – he has a odd way of talking (it does have a bit of a “challenged” sound to it) – not that I am saying he is dumb 🙁 …okey lets give him the benefit, he is still young.. 😆 😐
WPW
I hope that is not your real photo you are using because it will make it that much easier for “Nichola” to track you down.
Ice,
As with all things, he will get better with experience. 😉
He only says “verstaan” after every sentence because he replies in Afrikaans during an English interview. 😮
wie-pie-wie,
What happened to Delport? Is he on loan to Boland?
Kal-El…Oh? 🙄 Thanks for clearing that! 😆
And I suppose he is there for his rugby talent..not speakin ability’s, ne! 😳
Delport is also playing for WP Vodacom cup team.
Yebo Ice, verstaan!
Rob, Rob, where art thou, Rob??? Wanna make a suggestion – can the posts be numbered?…
and give a compl – thanks fo not “fining” us with a 3 minute penalty!! 😉 BTW – this thingy tunes me already “slow down, you are posting too fast! ” LOL 😆 😆
Yip.
Stormers has 4 really good scrumhalves and some unions have only 1.
Cheetahs on the udda hand have none.
Hello Sister Ice
Are you stirring the pot over here now? 😆
“Time to share the love”.
When I tried subtly suggesting that to my girlfriend she asked me to add an “ex” to her description…
I’m here
Yip, Ice has all the time in the world to blog but no time for the boep.
Who are these “4 really good scrumhalves” wpw?
I only know of Ricky January and some other never-have-beens.
The only personnel you guys have worth exporting is the pysio (I hope Charlie aint around!).
I said what I wanted to – just read… 🙄 😉
😆 BF!!
I suppose I am, Villie!! You know me…I like to divert the conversation a little and then see how they all tackle each other for not talking rugby!! 😉 😉
Fish
I have heard good reports about Conrad Hoffman….although when I saw him for the SA U21’s he didn’t impress me at all. However that was a particularly poor junior Bok side & friends tell me that this guy will go a long way!
Maybe I should go fetch my sidekick Debs to add a little spice to the conversation! 👿
But sadly I actually have to get back to work now! 🙁
i can look at numbering the posts, sure
Debs and I make quite the good spoon and pot!! 😀 😀
Hoffman is a talent Villie – still very young though.
Just yanking wpw’s chain a bit. Anyway, even Hoffman isn’t good enough to start a S14 game just yet.
And thank you, Ice… 🙄
😉
Numbering the posts is so Keo 😡
19.03.08 14:56:25 – Salmonoid
Who remembers Lieflings MOM speech after winning that first CC?
“Dankie Oom, oom ek het eintlik nie a bank reukerning nie…”
😆 PJLD 😆
It DOES make it easier to refer to a post, Kal-El…. 🙄
Keo… 😕 😕 😐 😕 😥 🙁
BF
I know Bolla is passed it and hasn’t been good for some time now…
I think he should consider moving to finish off his career in Europe.
Delport still has a lot to offer but with Hoffman there i doubt he will get a chance soon.
PJLD
Out of the mouths of Babes….