It’s always nice to have something to speculate about, so let’s look at the options for the Sharks going into this weekend’s game against the Waratahs. It’s a must-win, remember?
The pack pretty much picks itself and given the utterly superb performance by the front row (well, other than a certain chap in the number 2 jersey in open play) it would be pretty hard to justify picking anyone other than Beast and John Smit as the props. Sure, the Tahs will present a different challenge up-front, but then again, the Highlanders were also a pretty highly-rated scrummaging outfit until they left Durban with their tails firmly between their legs – not to mention considerably shorter necks.
So, it’s in the backline where all the fun will be. So far, we know that Rory Kockott is definitely out – handed a one-week suspension for flattening Adam Thompson. Frans Steyn will also play no part and it looks as though his Super 14 season – as well as potentially his Sharks career – has now come to an end. Adi Jacobs is still rated as 50/50, while Waylon Murray’s knee has flared up again, so he too is out. I’ve heard talk that JP Pietersen might also be a doubtful starter, but I’m choosing to ignore that in the interests of staying positive.
To mitigate, we have Ruan Pienaar back to full fitness, as well as Bradley Barritt in the mix. Together with the irrepressible Charl McLeod and ever-dependable Andries Strauss, we should hopefully have enough options to keep the Tahs at bay.
McLeod straight in for Kockott is a given. Had Steyn been available to slot in at flyhalf, I guess the temptation may have been to move Pienaar back to scrumhalf, but unless the coaching staff has strange ideas about trying Barritt at ten, it looks like the blonde speed-merchant will partner Pinie in the halfbacks. Expect young Ross Cronjé to be on the bench providing scrumhalf cover.
The centre combination is going to depend a lot on whether Jacobs is fit enough to play. I wouldn’t risk him as a starting option, whatever the case. Assuming all the barriers to Barritt being able to play are successfully negotiated, I’d pick the Sarries man at inside centre, with Riaan Swanepoel outside him. Jacobs would be on the bench as cover, together with either Strauss or Monty Dumond. I guess the smart money, though, would probably be on Jacobs taking up his place at outside centre with Swanepoel (or potentially even Barritt) the man to take the bench spot.
Here’s a possible line-up
1 Mtawarira, 2 B du Plessis, 3 Smit, 4 Sykes, 5 Muller (capt), 6 Botes, 7 Deysel, 8 Kankowski, 9 McLeod, 10 Pienaar, 11 Pietersen, 12 Barritt, 13 Swanepoel, 14 Ndungane, 15 Terblanche
16 J du Plessis, 17 Carstens, 18 van den Berg, 19 Daniel, 20 Cronje, 21 Strauss/Dumond, 22 Jacobs
Tweet
Why risk Adi ❓ 🙄
@Charlie (Comment 1) : Becuase its a must win 😉 so get yourself sorted out Adi 😉
@Charlie (Comment 1) : so what’s the latest on his shoulder?
@robdylan (Comment 3) : So Rob I suppose your in your element….can we expect lots of articles of your lovechild the next couple of weeks?? 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 4) : now THERE’s an idea…
Rob, nice work using brads name to get people to read your article. very sneaky.
spell check before posting, please. 😆 😉
@try time (Comment 7) : 😳
@robdylan (Comment 3) : the chip is easing with frans gone.
@Pokkel (Comment 8) : no the bloggers don’t need to spellcheck. but the authors of articles should it is more professional.
😆
Keep the changes to a minimum.
And please, do not shuffle guys around.
Play Ruan at 10, play Brad at 12 – dont get any funny ideas.
but whatever we say about the backline, it means nothing if mumm and waugh aren’t nullified at the breakdown.
@try time (Comment 10) : where’s the spelling mistake?
“the” isn’t spelt “hte” and a few apostrophes, but i really only wanted to see if you would take the bait.
@Pokkel (Comment 2) : @robdylan (Comment 3) :
Similar good news presents itself with Adrian Jacobs who ran at training on Monday and Tuesday in that his return could be sooner than initially thought. “We will treat his case conservatively,” explained Bashford. “Hopefully he will come through without needing an operation and is potentially available for selection this weekend, but we will be cautious with him.”
@Morné (Comment 11) :
Agree…
I’m pretty happy with the squad Rob picked.
We need Bismarck to start …but we also need him to bring both of his hands for this one.
i have been baited a lot recently, so i thought i would see if i could land a big fish. but i got rob d instead, the site big fish, not big fish the other blogger dude. 😆
@Charlie (Comment 15) : i never knew you could remove chips on shoulders surgically. 😈
@blackshark – YNWA (Comment 16) : and leave the ky jelly at home. nothing worse than dropping balls like a tosser…
@try time (Comment 18) : Nah, wrong bait mate 😐
@try time (Comment 19) : 😯 😆
i am just checking if my luke bok jersey is showing.
ok can someone tell me how to change my profile pic. please.
@try time (history forgets losers) (Comment 23) : TT, why would you have an ordinary rugby pic ❓
sth more scary looking would be more fitting
good morning (still)
@try time (Comment 22) : spelling error: luke bok jersey 🙄 is that Luke’s vomit covered bok jersey 😉
@JarsonX (Comment 25) : @rekinek (Comment 24) : it is a rugby related pic. it is lukes bok jersey, just won’t show eventhough i loaded it.
@try time (history forgets losers) (Comment 26) : oh! 😳 but does it have vomit on it?
@Charlie (Comment 15) : In your own words please 🙄 😉
ok there you go it is working. schweet.
Thought you may appreciate this guys grumble:
http://sportsmongrel.bundublog.com/2009/05/05/rugby-grumble/
@try time (history forgets losers) (Comment 29) : Should be without the Spingbok as well….maybe two proteas 🙄
@Pokkel (Comment 31) : i dare protea is more prominent – i dare say will suffice for now – maybe another year
@molly (Comment 30) : interesting .
@Pokkel (Comment 28) : 50/50…will make a descision as late as possible 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 31) : 😆
Didn’t Bismarck play SA Schools Waterpolo. I don’t think he has bad nadling in general, I just think the guys were overeager when the tryline was calling.
@Baldrick (Comment 36) : we are joking baldrick. for a blackadder man you are far too serious.
@Baldrick (Comment 36) :
But that could be why he knocks on all the time, Isn’t Waterpolo like Volley ball where you actually slap the ball around a lot more than catching it. 😉
how good is barritt’s goal kicking? Sabc news is going to have a piece on the sharks(barritt)
chances looking for adi to play aswell
@JarsonX (Comment 39) :
Why do you ask about his goal kicking? I’d think Ruan and Stefan would be the kickers.
coz according to bashford, i think, he is another option for goalkicking coz he is kicking for sarecens
Brad was goalkicker throughout highschool, but suffered a leg injury which meant he didnt kick while with the Sharks.