Expect Willem Alberts to run out in a Sharks jersey tonight.
Recent reports suggested that Manie Reynecke and the Lions management would not hesitate to go the legal rout in preventing Alberts (and Ludik once fit) to run out for the Sharks.
It has been learnt though that the Lions, also part of some player bickering with the Cheetahs rugby union over JP Joubert, has in fact won their case against their former Cats partners.
Where this might be positive news for the Lions franchise since their primary scrumhalf is struggling with an injury, it might also just have paved the way for Alberts to run out for the Sharks tonight without fear of consequence to the union or himself.
Opinions currently suggests that the grounds on which the Lions won their case, is exactly the grounds in which the Sharks are claiming that they can legally play Alberts.
Christo Ferreira, legal advisor to SA Rugby on policies might now just be forced to intervene on this issue if the Lions decide to go the legal route once Alberts runs out for the Sharks. If this is the case, the Lions seemingly have little grounds to keep the players from playing for their new adopted franchise.
There might be some discussions now behind closed doors to solve this amicably without everyone’s dirty laundry being flaunted in public and in the press.
Our opinion:
Expect Alberts to make his debut for the Sharks tonight and expect nothing to come from the threats from the Lions as reported in the media yesterday.
SA Rugby now being forced to intervene might finally put an end to all this where both unions can get their dues and kiss and make up, and we can simply enjoy the rugby.
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wooooohoooo let it be
Finally!!! 🙄
does playing in a warm-up counts as a debut?
nice work, Morras! Let’s hope this is the way it pans out
NEVER FEAR WHEN MORNE IS HERE
good news, it’s aobut the players careers as well, they can at least play now
@war1 (Comment 6) : we hope
What puzzles me about all of this:
1. Stormers want Jaques Fourie, they believe he has an invalid contract, they go to arbitration, and win. Case closed.
2. Lions want JP Joubert, they believe he has an invalid contract, they go to arbitration, and win. Case closed.
3. Sharks want Louis Ludik and Willem Alberts, they believe they have invalid contracts, instead of going to arbitration, and sorting it out, they say screw everyone, we will just play them in our team.
Why? ❓ ❓
@Greg (Comment 8) : trying to save money. It’s what Rudi does best.
I think the selection of Alberts forces everyone’s hand. The fact that he’s been with the sharks since november with no arbitration in sight suggests that the Lions were never go to do anything, they just wanted to string the process along for as long as possible and make sure the player never got to play for the sharks.
They’ve been made to look stupid and having lost three top players, are looking to be a team in trouble where no-one wants to play.
It’s all childish stuff, the kind of stuff 4 year old kids do in a sandpit.
If you want to be taken seriously, you don’t go around acting like a child.
@Baldrick (Comment 10) : i also get the feeling that it’s just spitefulness from the lions, although bj van zyl and strools also should have done a bit of negotiating
Hopefully this thing with Alberts and Ludik can finally come to an end and the players can continue with their Rugby careers.
But let wait and see what the Lions say after Alberts runs out in the Black and White jersey.
@war1 (Comment 11) : Agreed… I think this whole episode could have been handled better by both unions…pity it did not turn out like that.
I was wondering if Alberts is actually willing to take the chance to play inspite of facing a hefty fine, or is he being forced to play??
@Baldrick (Comment 10) : Baldie… I’m not 100% sure you’ve got that the right way around. Surely it was up to the Sharks to force arbitration? Without a legal ruling that the contracts weren’t valid, the Lions really had no reason to issue release certificates…
@Farlington (Comment 12) : welcome to the site!
Shame, again the Tin Ears end up on the short end. No wonder they get stuck into the Sharks on the play field.
@Farlington (Comment 13) : I havent seen u around here before, if it your 1st time here, a warm welcome to you then.
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 14) : don’t think the player could be fined or anything… repercussions would probably target the union. Biggest risk from his side is being forced to stand down from playing and that would have been likely anyway.
@PaarlBok (Comment 17) : hey – the Sharks had nothing to do with that one 🙂
and you promise them Du Mont, it aint fair. at all.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : I’m no lawyer, I just read that he and/or the union could face some huge repercussions if he played 🙂
@PaarlBok (Comment 21) : we gave them Skipper AND we let them keep Brussow. They must maar take what they can get 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 15) : Thanks, I was trying to think of a diplomatic way of saying that, without it sounding like sour grapes
What time is the game tonight?
@Greg (Comment 24) : don’t get me wrong… I still think Reynecke has been a huge d**s about this matter. I just don’t think it’s fair to lay all the blame squarely at his door. The Sharks could have acted with more integrity. Or at least more proactively!
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 25) : se-ven pee-em
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 25) : 19:00 😉
@robdylan (Comment 15) : Agreed that it should have been pursued, but we really aren’t privvy to all the facts here. I recall the Lions ceo stating “We haven’t had a letter on a letterhead from the Sharks requesting our players”… Now if that isn’t childish I don’t know what is.
Its the old FU attitude, “if we can’t use the players, nor will you, or we’ll do everything (or nothing) to make sure you don’t…”
Thanks for the welcome guys.
@robdylan (Comment 26) : Agreed, there is certainly no smell of roses from either Durban or Joburg
@Baldrick (Comment 29) : Sharks seem to be employing a similar attitude though, “We are going to use them, and defy anyone to try and stop us”
I don’t think the players have covered themselves in glory either
@Baldrick (Comment 29) : yeah, their attitude has been up to shit, no doubt.
@Farlington (Comment 30) : hope you’ll be very happy here. We’re good people 🙂
Ag liontjies its 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other, get over it and focus on the rugby, clearly what the Sharks are trying to do
What about closure on Hernandez ?? Heard conflicting stories , first he was injured then he went AWOL ???
@kingdeysel (Comment 35) : howzit – welcome to the site. Love your nick.
No, I think Juan is injured. But whatever the case, he’s gone now and it’s time to look to the future.
@kingdeysel (Comment 35) : im sure his whereabouts are known to muliple people, has a major back injury that needs to be sorted out
Thanks Rob
Agreed , just that him and Ruan seemed to be gelling nicely towards the later stages and even he and Charl where looking to spread the ball and take the gaps to get the backline moving! Hopefully Monty can replicate his form when he outplayed the bulls !!
@kingdeysel (Comment 38) : Charl and Monty are our form halfback combo… reputations count for nothing
What time is tonight’s game. I am about to leave the house. 😥
@KSA Shark © (Comment 40) : 7pm SA
No one with the score?
@RugbyGal (Comment 42) : it’s 0-12 to the crims… follow the match thread here: http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2010/01/26/super-14-warm-up-sharks-v-western-force/
sharks are 19-0 down
Seems Manie was busy this morning…