“Every year we say that this is the year we are going to win a trophy but we have to make a decision and we’ve got to change whatever we have been doing wrong over the last 10 years, because we’ve been one of the top sides who’ve always been there and there abouts but we have absolutely nothing to show for it.”
This is how Sharks captain Johann Muller summed up the disappointment at having last won the Currie Cup back in 1996 and the determination to get it right this season, according to Craig Lewis, writing for IOL.
In 1996, Natal beat Transvaal 33-15 and followed that up with appearances in the final in 1999, 2000 and 2001 but failed to take back the trophy.
The Sharks have made the semifinals in the last two years but were beaten by the Cheetahs and Lions respectively.
To be fair though, the loss of players to the Springboks has contributed heavily to the Sharks’ poor showing in the inter-provincial competition over the years. Something that Sharks coach John Plumtree admitted adversely affected the side.
“Obviously the dynamics of the Currie Cup have changed a lot because of the amount of players we lose.
“We do suffer a lot from players leaving but we’ve also still got some really good players in this squad. It’s about building this group into a team.”
Plumtree added that he would not be placing too much emphasis on winning the Cup so early in the season.
“The problem you’ve got when a trophy hasn’t been won for so long is that it starts to become an issue. This is a really long competition and all we are interested in at the moment is beating Western Province in our first match. Winning the Currie Cup is something I’ll start worrying about in October, not now.
“We have a piece of white paper that is blank at the moment and we will aim to progress every training session and every match and see where we finish off.
“I’m certainly not going to burden the players with not having won the Currie Cup for so long. It’s an old story that’s getting pretty boring.”
Muller said the hunger to rectify their Super 14 “disappointment” and past failures in the Currie Cup was growing every day, but agreed that worrying about the final now would serve no purpose.
“The Currie Cup final is only on October 25 and that is a long way away… we have to focus on the process and the end result will look after itself. We want to climb those steps and make sure we are ready and peak by the time October comes.”
The Sharks travel to Welkom where they will come up against the Griffons in a compulsory friendly. Next weekend they face Western Province in their first Currie Cup encounter.
Tweet
12 years. 😯
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 1) : sad, isn’t it? No wonder we’re all a little bit tetchy!
Plum’s got it dead right, the focus this week is province
Relax, this is a long haul, breathe deep… 😉
@spykerbaard (Comment 3) : agree. One step at a time, one game at a time.
Province are harder hit with player unavailability than we are. We should expect to take them at home
Agh!! Who cares..they still play the best brand of rugby; are the best sportsmen and I just love them all!! 😛
@Me2 (Comment 5) : yes, but it is nicer win they win stuff 😉
Not going to happen..chockers comes to mind..
This years Currie Cup will be heading to the Ellis Park cabinet I’m afraid.
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 7) : bwaaaaa. You Lions fans make me laugh 😉
Thought you may enjoy that one Robd..I’m serious though watch the Lion ROAR this season.. 😉
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 9) : Well, you guys did make the final last year
Lions will sadly bomb out.
Sharks should never TALK about winning any trophy. Just do it, and until it happens, don’t talk about it. 😥
@Big Fish (Comment 11) :
I feel the same way. 😳
Naand oubaas. 🙂
Ja Litey. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 14) : ek sê
@robdylan (Comment 15) :
Ja my laarnies!
our timing sucks 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : Uh huh
Its like a scene out of Macbeth:
First Witch
When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch
When the hurlyburly’s done,
When the battle’s lost and won.
Third Witch
That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch
Where the place?
Second Witch
Upon the heath.
Third Witch
There to meet with Macbeth.
First Witch
I come, Graymalkin!
Second Witch
Paddock calls.
Third Witch
Anon.
ALL
Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air.
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 1) :
I was there at the final in Joeys and the party afterwards was one of the best Jols ever……Randburg waterfront….dronk as a coot! 😆
@Villie (Comment 20) :
Every Final I go to we lose 😳
@Big Fish (Comment 19) : My favourite play. Kudos
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) : You getting the hint yet? 🙂
I’m rather partial to Hamlet and Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Puck rocks!
@robdylan (Comment 23) :
Ja 🙁
Kette won’t let me fly home for any more finals 🙁
@KSA Shark © (Comment 25) : damn right 😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) : KSA
I’ve been to all our finals we played in except for the one we lost against Wee Pee…when was that 99 or 2000…round about then.
So I’ve been to winning and losing ones. I did attend the last 2 CC semi’s and we lost both!! 😳
I’m glad we are playing Wee Pee upfront. Probably good time to play them.
@Villie (Comment 27) : We lost to wp in 2000 and 2001, didn’t we?
Sharks 44 – Griffons 15
Swing low sweet chariot..
Pen Eng.
Eng seem very fired up. But will/can it last 80min?
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 31) : Picked up some bad habits? 🙂
3-0 Eng
@robdylan (Comment 34) :
Eng forwards seem to be matching NZ.
@robdylan (Comment 34) : Can only be a Stormers supporter singing that! 😆
NZ scrum looking good though. Pen NZ.
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 33) : No chance…carrots for the Poms!
3-3
@Villie (Comment 40) : Agree 100%. Hope they get a hiding. 😈
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 42) :
Poms nearly scored. NZ looking very shaky!
6-3 Eng
Try NZ!
Pom commentators had hardly finished telling us how Eng could win this one. 😆
10-6 NZ
Pen NZ.
13-6 NZ
Eng wagon starting to wobble.
Try NZ.
Might as well go shopping. 🙄
20-6 NZ.
NZ all of a sudden woken up. Looking good.
Yellow Eng.
23-6 NZ
Not even half time and Eng seem to be struggling with the pace of the game already.
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 56) :
Morning All!!
Rachel – talking to ya self again???
Danny Boy – eish what can I say!!
Intercept try Eng.
Great Try by England!!
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 58) : Howzit Icey. 🙂
23-13
Half time.
Off to make some brekfis & put some washing in the machine.
Very Icey indeed, Rachel – ek kry Baie koud!! Gee my jou klere!!
Need to go and prepare the ingedients for the potjie, so my husband can mix it together and get all the credit…. 😉
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 65) : Hi Ice…you not the only one with that problem 😆
Hi Me2, Reds and Salmo!!!
Yes – I HAVe eyes in the back of my head!!
NZ to run away with in 2nd half. Poms lucky with the intercept…could have been 30-6, instead its 23-13!
@Me2 (Comment 66) :
You relaxing for a change??? 😛
Hey Villie as well…so they crawling out of the woodwork…LOL!!
BTW – I see we clapped the Griffons 44-15….8 tries!!
Hi Ice. I don’t need eyes at the back of my head.. I just click on ppl on line..
So unfair that I have to work while my team is playing!!! 👿 👿
@Reds (Comment 71) :
Thats a badder!!! But I am sure you’ll be kept up to date!! 😀
Try AB’s! Muliana
I follow the game from here as supersport is useless. They show that they doing updates but when I go on the site it shows kick-off 9:35 but nothing else!!!!1 👿 👿 So glad ra-cheltjie de’ be-er keeps me updated!!!!!!!!!!!1
Danny knocks it CENTRE!! 30-13
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 73) : And you also keep me updated.. Thanx..I owe you big time..
Rachel need to finish his brekkies…I am no good at this!
TRy AB’s Sivivatu!!
I’m back. Seems I missed a try. 👿
Because of a great pass by DC!!
And conversion OVER!!! Beautt!!
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 79) :
two…
Ok Rachel – you take over from here!!
Score ❓ ❓
Howzit Ice you scabenga
What does it mean when it says one BOT is online? Who is that?
37-13 I’m still eating.
37-13
Hats off to pigs & chickens. 😀
Thanx u two!!!!!
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 86) :
Wies die vark in die verhaal???
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 65) : I swap you some clothes for some potjie.
@I’ce (TKMITFM) (Comment 88) : Bacon & eggs.
Hehehehehehehehe – Just read this on the live commentary of the AB vs England game:
“0921: Lordy, I’m breathless. What a game! And we’ve still got another 40 minutes to go. Nurse! I’m all giddy. I spell England “NEW ZEALAND”.”
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 89) :
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 90) : 😳 😳
@Ollie (Comment 91) : Where do you read the live commentary?
Ok – I am off!
No change in score Reds!!
Enjoy the Bokke game all!!!
Koebaai Ice.
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 95) : You will have to keep me updated…Pleassseeee …can’t understand why I ahve to work while my team plays.. Would rather work this afternoon 👿
@Reds (Comment 96) : 37-13 70min.
Game has gone a bit flat.
Ojo scores a second.
37-20
4min to go.
2nd yellow of match to Eng.
Final Score
37-20
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 103) : Whoo hoo AB’s not that I wasn’t confident.. just feel so much better.
Thanx ra-cheltjie .. u a darling!!!!
@Reds (Comment 104) : I aim to please. Just the kind of person I am. 😉
Ireland try!
I’m going home now.. Hope ireland kick some ausies ass ❗ ❗ Thanx again!!! chat Tuesday 😉
7-5 Ire
@Reds (Comment 107) : Ciao
Brilliant offload from Giteau. Try Aus.
Offloading and keeping the ball alive seems to be the theme of the southern hemisphere this morning.
Leonardo too was used to an intellectual solitude – the loneliness of a mind that knew no equal.
Taking your cue there mayhap? 😉
@Big Fish (Comment 112) : If you say so. 😀 ❓
15-7 Aus.
Half time
15-7
Should have been 15-10 but scrummie took quick tap.
18-7 45min