You have got to love John Plumtree for the way he cuts through the hot air and gets to the point.
When the Sharks coach was asked by the media yesterday about which tactics and counter-tactics will prevail at Newlands on Saturday, he said: “If one team technically or tactically dominates enough to win the game I would be surprised – it is going to be won by sheer brute force. You have two big South African teams having a mighty crack at each other. This is one of those physical battles that the Kiwi and Aussie teams watch with interest …”
As in they are pleased they are watching not playing.
“Playing at a sold-out Newlands against a home team desperate to chalk up a home win in the first round is just about as tough as it gets,” Plumtree said.
“But it is the kind of occasion that excites players and our guys are really looking forward to it.”
There is huge pressure on the Stormers to avoid last year’s horror start when they lost their first three games while the Sharks, because it is an away game for them, might feel less inhibited in their approach.
Plumtree partly agrees.
“There is certainly pressure on the Stormers, just as there is on any team playing at home,” the coach said.
“In this competition you have to win your home games if you have any intention of doing well.”
There has been much said about the superior scrumming reputation of the Sharks and Plumtree does not deny that this an area where his team hopes to get an advantage.
“The guys take pride in the way they scrum. Mark (Lawrence, the referee) has a big job in judging the scrum because we want a legal contest. There are always ways of upsetting a dominant scrum, such as collapsing and angling in. We want a straight contest.”
But in what could be a scrumming blow for the Sharks, Springbok prop Beast Mtawarira has not yet recovered from a sternum injury and could well be replaced by Deon Carstens.
Mike Greenaway – Cape Times
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Don’t we all. 🙂
I can’t wait for this game!!!
It’s gonna be AWESOME!!! 😎
I like this bit
This is one of those physical battles that the Kiwi and Aussie teams watch with interest …”
As in they are pleased they are watching not playing.
The guys take pride in the way they scrum. Mark (Lawrence, the referee) has a big job in judging the scrum because we want a legal contest. There are always ways of upsetting a dominant scrum, such as collapsing and angling in. We want a straight contest
They may not be able to meet and discuss things with the ref before the game but there certainly are ways of getting the message out there for him to see.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : A ‘straight’ contest? Cape Town might not be the best place then…
@McLovin (Comment 5) :
😆
I missed that. Plumtree took a swipe at the Stormers on TWO fronts with one sentence. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) :
This from a team who had the most illegal scrummager in BJ Botha?
I thought scrums does not concern Plumtree as per his comments after the Sarries game?
First signs of a rookie coach feeling the pressure I reckon!
Oh and Plum, for the record, the day when the Stormers only got pinned once at the scrum against Sarries, the ref was…
You guessed it…
Mark ‘the all seeying eye’ Lawrence
@MorneN (Comment 7) :
🙂
Dude NOW you are arguing like a women, they get historical instead of hysterical. 😆
We didn’t complain about any illegal scrumming when BJ was playing for us, so I don’t expect Rassie will be doing any complaining at the moment. 😉
@MorneN (Comment 8) :
Precisely why Plumtree is pointing this out to Lawrence.
This ain’t a rookie coach feeling the pressure. This is a seasoned campaigner making the opposition aware that the ref will be looking and making the ref aware that his scrum calls will be scrutinised in the press after the match.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 9) :
Nah dude, pot, kettle, black springs to mind not arguing like a woman!
Plum having had BJ would know all about how to disrupt scrums, so why even mention it? Just prepare your team well enough to handle it.
Yet another case why you guys made a mistake by not selecting John as captain!
if Greenaway reckons Beast is doubtful, then Beast is doubtful. He is a trusted leak…
Sounds Like Plumtree spent his Summer at the Eddie Jones School of how to whine 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
He does not need to point it out to Lawrence, he has seen it first hand where Plum’s men still need to come up against them!
Go change your panty Plummo!
Are we there yet? 😐
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) :
Yup they moer each other stukkend losing a few to injury…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 16) :
Here’s hoping Plum has them playing smart rugby too…
“There are always ways of upsetting a dominant scrum, such as collapsing and angling in. We want a straight contest”
More arrogance. 😈
Seems like it trickling from the fans to the coach 😆
Thems be fighting words!
I see the Stormers wind up squad, galvanised by their head cheerleader, Gavin Rich, is out in full cry today 🙂
You guys found a front row yet?
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Didn’t you read the article apparently we going to cheat for 80 minutes 😆
@robdylan (Comment 20) :
Speaking of which, won’t you be so kind as to bring the CC with you the weekend so it can take its rightful place at Newlands once you face a full strength side from the Cape for a change…
@MorneN (Comment 8) :
Which comments were those again? 😕
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Nah we will beat you without one.
@blackshark (Comment 23) :
The JJ Harmse of WP Rugby.
@robdylan (Comment 20) :
The Sharks don’t need to worry about the Stormers “props” scrumming sideways. They’ll only be moving in one direction on Saturday… backwards!
I must say,this heading is kinda suspect ❗ 🙄
@MorneN (Comment 22) : nah – to hold the Currie Cup you need to prove that your B-team can beat Griquas
@PJLD (Comment 28) : That was my first thought.
@robdylan (Comment 29) :
Ill take your word for it, since the Sharks should know all about all things “B” – you know divisions etc…
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 21) :
Nah I think you will play straight rugby for 15min until your props can’t take the heat anymore then they will try scrumming in.
At half time Rassie will tune them “nog net 10 minute in die tweede helfte, dan bring ek die flanke op” to which Luke will reply. “Shaddup dutchman!”
Why would Plum be making comments about the scrum after the Stormers vs Sarries game? Maybe Plum is losing it. 😉
@PJLD (Comment 28) :
@McLovin (Comment 30) :
And which team do you guys support???
Need I say more? 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) : Of course the only time we will be scrumming is when your back have coughed the ball up again.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 35) : 😆
OUCH!!!!
And I am looking forward to seeing what excuse we use this year, coz the Dbn humidity excuse won’t work so well in CT. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 29) : And Valke…
@MorneN (Comment 22) :
We actually need to inspect the trophy.
We wouldn’t want them replacing certain teams names on the cup. 😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) : dude – the Stormers will be starting with their flanks in the front row
HOI JA SHAAAAAAAAARRRKSSSSSS !!!
😆 😆 
@wpw (Comment 38) : BTW, Roly Poly, ga jy uitstiek by Nuweland… 😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) : Just keeping it real 😆
@wpw (Comment 38) : pick your battles… you are meant to fighting on behalf of the Stormers, not the useless cheetahs. Do you actually have a strategy?
@MorneN (Comment 22) :
Full strength?!?
Where did you get Props from so suddenly? 😛
I wonder if its going to be one of those games when the Sharks make sure they pass the ball 5 meters forward to ensure that the ref cannot miss the forward pass and award a scrum…. to the opposition.
@Charlie (Comment 41) : Roly Poly!
I’m going to go edit Wes’s profile… 🙂
* Abuse of power noted 😆
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 35) :
A new record for “uncontested scrums” will be set this Saturday…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 44) : Stormers are actually planning a shock switch to rugby league, since they already have flankers in the front row….
@robdylan (Comment 48) : it will serve the added purpose of making Luke Watson redundant 🙂
@blackshark (Comment 47) : The only uncontested thing will be Muller saying they have no excuses after the 80 minutes are up
@Salmonoid (Comment 45) :
😆
@robdylan (Comment 46) :
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
@robdylan (Comment 48) :
@robdylan (Comment 49) :
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh NOW it all becomes clear. If Luke fullfills 3 roles in the squad his chances of being sent to EP are so much smaller.
@robdylan (Comment 46) : and re-noted 🙂
Everybody must be nervous…..it’s getting feisty here….Now,now guys play nice. 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 49) : Worth losing for.
@robdylan (Comment 53) : 😀 😈
If it wasn’t for the liberal use of smileys things might get nasty…..ban all smileys I say
Rob
Don’t you EVER make fun of me again!!! 👿
@Roly Poly (Comment 57) : playing dirty?…
@robdylan (Comment 58) : ❓ 🙄
I think this game is gonna be a cracker….and I for one am not betting on either side for the last man standing competition this weekend.
The ‘new’ rugbyzone site has finally launched. 😎 Was getting a bit close for comfort.
@Pokkel (Comment 56) : we’re all friends here… and I hope we can be grownup about this
@Roly Poly (Comment 57) :
Roly Poly Bwhahahahahahhahahaa
@McLovin (Comment 61) : rugbyzone?
@robdylan (Comment 64) : mediazone
**** attention all users ****
I would like to point out that wpw himself was responsible for changing his name to Roly Poly. None of the administrators of this site would ever even consider abusing our power in that way
***********
@robdylan (Comment 58) : Rich coming from you.
@robdylan (Comment 66) : Why do i not believe you
@robdylan wishes he was a Bulls supporter (Comment 66) : 😀
@robdylan (Comment 66) :
Well i would consider it, but then again I would also like to continue posting on the site, So I wouldn’t dare go through with it. 🙂
Man i ain’t even brave enough to change my OWN name.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 70) : See above 😳
What’s the news surrounding Peter Grant? Is he gonna play? Or is Rassie hiding something?
@PJLD (Comment 68) : ‘Cause you’re a Stormer supporter 😉
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 71) :
I see that.
I am going home NOW. I don’t wanna be around for this. 😳
@Charlie (Comment 73) : I can’t believe anyone actually supports the Stormers! 😉
I know there are Sharks supporter,too many Stormers supporters , some Lions supporters that regularly comment. Any Cheetah’s and Bulls supporters that contribute?
@Villie (Comment 75) : Amazing isn’t it 🙄
I think somebody needs to send me an email very quickly, or the whole class is going to have to stay behind
if beast is injured, are we only gonna have one prop on the bench?????
@robdylan (Comment 78) : So how was your stint with the Bulls Suppoters club
@robdylan (Comment 78) : He he he
@willa (Comment 79) : At least we have one, the Stormers don’t 🙄
@Pokkel (Comment 80) : they say ignorance is bliss, don’t they? 🙂
@willa (Comment 79) : we might be in a spot of bother. I’d be tempted to start with John at 3 and Jannie at 1. Deon just adds so much impetus coming off the bench that I’d like to keep him there.
If Beast is out, it means we’re going to have Badenhorst in 16 and Smit playing prop for 80…
@Charlie (Comment 82) : Schalk Ferreira! 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 84) : What is actually Beasts injury – any idea? Getting him right is NB – want to see him smash the Lions
😕 ❓
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 86) :
Sternum is tender, I think.
it’s actually an amazing testament to how far Beast has come along as a scrummager that people now view Deon Carstens as a weaker option!
@robdylan (Comment 89) : Indeed. He was a revelation last year…
@robdylan (Comment 84) :
I don’t see anything wrong with that actually. Smit at 1 for 80 would give a good indication of fitness and his overall ability IMO.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 86) :
From the last line of the article. But in what could be a scrumming blow for the Sharks, Springbok prop Beast Mtawarira has not yet recovered from a sternum injury and could well be replaced by Deon Carstens
I wonder how long ago it was hurt.
@robdylan (Comment 85) : Who’s this ❓
@KSA Shark © (Comment 91) : at 1? You mean 3?
@robdylan (Comment 94) :
I told you I share a lot of traits with Hmmm. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 95) : like not knowing yer arse from yer elbow? 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 96) : I thought that was Gvin Rich or those clowns on SA rugby 😆
@robdylan (Comment 96) :
That as well.
But only when i am multi-tasking 😛 😛
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 97) :
You mean I could apply for a job??????
@KSA Shark © (Comment 98) : I don’t think you want to work for either of them.