The Sharks will have to do without a number of key personnel against the Leopards this Friday night – coach John Plumtree being among them. The former Natal loose forward has flown back to New Zealand this week to attend to a family matter, leaving the team in the capable hands of his assistants.
On the playing front, a number of the seniors in the team look unlikely to make the trip at this stage due to various niggles picked up against the Free State Cheetahs last week. Prop Deon Carstens never looked comfortable in Bloem and was subbed before half time. His place in the starting lineup will likely go to Wiehahn Herbst, who was impressive on Friday night.
Odwa Ndungane is another who was touch-and-go for the Free State game and looks unlikely to be fit for the Leopards, having exacerbated a thigh injury. Rory Kockott has injured his shoulder, to make matter worse, while there is talk that Ryan Kankowski is nursing a shoulder complaint of his own and may have to have a minor operation on it soon – if he hold any hope of joining the Boks Tri-Nations tour in a few weeks’ time.
The better news is that Juan Hernández will definitely be in the 22 this week, although will probably be used off the bench. Only time will tell whether Waylon Murray did enough against the Cheetahs to reclaim the number 13 jersey this week – one would imagine that he’s badly in need of gametime, though and a good 80 minute outing against (somewhat) lesser opposition might be just what he needs to get his confidence back after a long spell on the sidelines.
Although the Leopards have yet to win in four starts, the Sharks would do well to remember the harsh lesson learned in Kimberley 3 years ago and not make more changes for this match than absolutely necessary. With three seniors and the coach already looking highly doubtful for this game, one just gets the feeling that this fixture might end up being somewhat trickier than the Sharks are anticipating. After the momentum of three good wins, an upset loss to a bottom-placed team can really screw up your season. We learned that lesson (twice) in the Super 14!
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hmpf, would have been at this game but going to kick up some dust at oppikoppi instead. i mean there aint much happening in rustenburg and now two cool things on one weekend, typical.
@knersboy (Comment 1) : can’t you do both? 🙂 Leave for Oppi after the Sharks game… it’s not like anything happens on the Friday night anyway, right?
I wouldn’t worry too much about injuries for this game. Give them time to heal. Even those who have slight injuries. You’d beat them with or without those players. Even Boland (who have conceded over 130 points in their last 2 games)have beaten these guys.
@Pink Oyster (Comment 3) : fair comment, but I’m nervous about taking the foot off the pedal at this stage of the season. Sharks are a bit notorious for doing that
im gonna go, i will post here and there if im not to pissed when game starts
@willa (Comment 5) : you rock!
i will also be at this game, a good excuse to spend a weekend at home and catch a live rugby game
@war1 (Comment 7) : Can you film it on your phone so we can all see? 😉
@war1 (Comment 7) : do you have a laptop, war1?
@robdylan (Comment 4) : yip. this is the game they need 5 points from.
Does Plumtree going back to NZ have anything to do with Robbie Dean’s father’s funeral? Are they related in any way?
true, but i am off friday but working monday so i gotta leave early on sunday, and i got buddies up from the cape and all kinds of other complicated stuff, you know how it always goes.
the more people you add to the equation the more complicated quite simple things become.
@Pokkel (Comment 11) : so he lost his dad? Poor guy… awful.
No – it’s Plum’s dad’s birthday
@robdylan (Comment 13) : That is what I heard, that’s why Deans is only arriving tomorrow.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Yes Deans was meant arrive this week, but his father passed away so will only arrive this week.
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 15) : awful. My thoughts and prayers are with him
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Hey Rob. Are you avoiding the other thread? 🙄
When is the team announcement
But seriously…why is this game not on TV? 👿 👿 👿
JMH will probably be in the 22 – and make his 1st appearance and we won’t even see… 👿
9. Ross
10. Guy
11. Lwazi
12. Swannie
13. Waylon
14. Zuks
15. Monty
Or keep the old centre-pairing and start Waylon on 14.
@blackshark (Comment 19) : ask SuperSport
is it true that John Mitchell is spending a bit of time with us while Plum is away?
@Tintin (Comment 23) : I heard he popped in yesterday to have a look around
@Tintin (Comment 23) : read the article i posted
is anyone else going to this game? possible reunion/ 1st meeting?
@blackshark (Comment 20) : ill hopefully take a pic for u 😉
@war1 (Comment 26) : Willa said he’s going.
Pretty sure sharks_lover will go too
@robdylan (Comment 28) : hiyas bro sorry nope i cant go , but will be going to the lions sharks game the following week.
class at univeristy on friday evening 😕
@sharks_lover (Comment 29) : what are they hoping to teach you? 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 30) : lots and lots 😆
@robdylan (Comment 9) : i do, but not mobile internet, so i will try to keep you guys updated on my phone
@sharks_lover (Comment 31) : I wish them luck