Ok guys – I promise, just one more whine before I turn positive again. The Sharks now NEED to make a change in the back row, else face total breakdown annihilation at the hands of Richie McCaw and his merry men this weekend.
I have mentioned this a number of times before, but the time has now come to shout it from the rooftops. Jacques Botes, Keegan Daniel and Skholiwe Ndlovu are all far too similar to be included in the match 22 together, particularly when one considers the negative impact they have on Ryan Kankowski’s game. The mercurial number 8 is being sucked into doing the donkey work in the trio – a role that doesn’t suit him and nullifies his attacking edge.
Jean Deysel, if rumours are to be believed, is probably still a week or two away from being recalled to the squad. His presence will make a huge difference, but given Saturday’s unfortunate hiccough in Bloemfontein, Plumtree can no longer put off promoting another big loose forward; we no longer can afford to lose any games.
Fortnately for Plumtree, both Justin Downey and Mike Rhodes have been playing well for the Sharks XV, with the former already close to the squad, having joined the tour as cover for Deysel. Although Rhodes is a lot bigger and probably a better direct replacement for Deysel, he isn’t quite in Downey’s class (yet) in terms of focus and temperament. Downey, at 1.93m and 104kg is roughly the same size as Kankowski (and a good 15kg heavier than either of Daniel or Ndlovu) and has the ability to play either a looser or tighter game as required.
To my mind, Justin Downey is a must for the number 19 shirt this week. Let Daniel and Botes do thier usual blitzkrieg in the opening period, but if things start to go awry and we find ourselves lacking a big ball-carrying option in the back row, we need the mulleted wonder on the wood this weekend.
Tweet
it just makes sense
And with Downey being related it is also easier. 😉
Seriously though, you make a very valid point for Downey’s inclusion, I would not want to drop Daniel or Botes though.
If I HAD to it would be Botes I’m afraid. Daniel seems to be slightly ahead on form at the moment.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : i think botes is very solid (even on sat he looked like tried to do sth). daniel is not so solid and often disappears but then again is capable of moments of brilliance.
@rekinek (Comment 3) :
I base my “form” comment on the amount of work “I” have seen being done ON the the ground of late.
As I said, I would want to keep both in the squad and even though it goes against the gist of the article that we need a big player at 19.
Downey at 19
Botes, Daniel and Kankowski to start would be my ideal solution.
deysel , jpp and ruan get well NOW
@JarsonX (Comment 5) :
let’s not forget Murray as well even though Swanepoel has been great I’d prefer Murray.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) : i keep forgetting about murray 😆 sorry dude, get well NOW
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : yeah – my real argument at the moment is that Ndlovu’s inclusion in the squad makes little sense, because he is too similar to JB and Keegan. I would keep the starting trio as is and have Downey as the reserve, because he can slot into any position in the back row.
@JarsonX (Comment 7) :
Outta sight outta mind. 😉
He’s been outta sight for AGES though.
what about Halstead how is he coming along? When is the VC semis or are there still pool games going on?
@JarsonX (Comment 10) :
The Sharks have finished their Pool games but the other teams still have to finish theirs.
There are 1/4s and Semi’s So the tournaments will finish around the same time I believe.
Fixtures on SARU and Superrugby sites don’t indicate the 1/4’s Semi and Final dates. 🙁
@JarsonX (Comment 10) :
Final pool games THIS weekend
17 Border Bulldogs v SWD Eagles
17 Western Province v Free State
18 Golden Lions v Valke
18 Pumas v Blue Bulls
18 Mighty Elephants v Boland Cavaliers
18 GWK Griquas v Griffons
Logs are as follows:
South Section
Pos Team P W Pts
1 Sharks XV 6 6 27
2 SWD Eagles 5 4 19
3 Free State 5 3 17
4 Western Province 5 3 15
5 Border Bulldogs 5 2 9
6 Boland Cavaliers 5 0 3
7 Mighty Elephants 5 0 0
North Section
Pos Team P W Pts
1 Platinum Leopards 6 4 21
2 Blue Bulls 5 4 19
3 GWK Griquas 5 4 18
4 Pumas 5 2 12
5 Golden Lions 5 1 9
6 Griffons 5 1 7
7 Valke 5 1 6
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) :
I am shocked at the Valke doing SOOOO badly, I woulda thought they would be a lot better coming down from the CC, but obviously the exodus of players has been a massive blow.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : they are now completely amateur. All their pros have left. It’s essentially a club side.
@robdylan (Comment 14) : A very poor club team. 😉
I’m still pissed off at KSA though, and you too somewhat Rob. 😀
@Dancing Bear (Comment 15) : on the basis of?
@robdylan (Comment 16) : hehehehe, go see the Bakkies article. It’s OK Rob, it was only somewhat, and I am mostly over it now. 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 15) :
And I am sure that at SOOOOOOOOME stage you will let us know why. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : because we refuse to wear the horns 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 19) : I’m starting to wonder if you don’t have a blue hard hat with horns hiding in your cupboard. 😀 😛
I’d just like to point out that “mulleted wonder” is, in fact, a term of endearment 🙂
@Dancing Bear (Comment 20) : now now – that’s just nasty
@robdylan (Comment 22) : Yeah, that was over the top wasn’t it? Sorry mate…It was all meant in fun though.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 23) : hmmm – I will bottle my resentment up deep inside and then let it out in an ugly emotional outburst at some yet-to-be-determined point in the future 🙂
From the reports I’ve heard, Mike Rhodes has had a couple of storming games for the Sharks XV. Okay, opposition have been weak..but good to hear that he is sticking his hand up!
@Villie (Comment 25) : barnstorming… that’s for sure.
@robdylan (Comment 26) : My Dad watched the game against the Elephants and said they played very well, and Rhodes was probably the star man!
@Villie (Comment 27) : hard to score 3 tries and not be!
@Villie (Comment 27) : KAAAAK oppo, though…
@Villie (Comment 27) : Villie – are you trying to suggest that my “family bias” has led me to the wrong conclusion here? 😯
@robdylan (Comment 30) :
I think so. 😳
@Big Fish (Comment 31) : I have inside info…
@robdylan (Comment 32) :
I have Winnie the Pooh underpants…