Losing out on contracting Lionel Mapoe is a pretty bitter blow indeed for the Sharks and the powers that be will need to have a proper think about what to do next. Whatever your opinion happens to be on the way the matter was handled, the fact is, from a rugby point of view, having Mapoe in the squad would have added much-needed depth in a problem position.
A few days ago we pointed out that much work has been done to bolster the inside back division. Fact is that without Mapoe, the Sharks do still appear a little thin when it comes to outside backs, particularly with a view to next year’s Super 15. While the outside centre position is well known to be a concern, without Mapoe, the Sharks are, if we’re to be honest, also not particularly well covered at wing.
I think there would be very little disagreement about JP Pietersen and Lwazi Mvovo being the natural first-choice wingers in the team. Louis Ludik is shaping up as a really good fit at fullback as well, but outside of them, depth does start to become somewhat of an issue. I’m making the assumption that Stefan Terblanche will not play any sort of on-field role next year and it would appear that he is only really considered a centre now anyway, rather than a viable wing or fullback. Odwa Ndungane is the other guy who’s in the frame, but to be fair, while he’ll always be a reliable backup player, he seems to be showing his years a wee bit and might struggle to really make the desired impact in the Super 15. That leaves us with only Odwa to cover all three outside back positions – a worrying situation indeed.
Outside centre is, if possible, worse, with Adi Jacobs the most likely incumbent. Outside him, though, there simply isn’t anyone who has any senior experience in the position.
Now, what we’ve seen is that contracting players from other provinces can be fraught with peril even though the Sharks have won more of the legal battles than they’ve lost. The chances of picking up a player from outside of the KZN province in time for next year’s competition are not looking great, meaning that we may have to look within. Centre is a problem that would need to be resolved anyway and since Mapoe won’t now be able to add options in that position, it’s vital that the youngsters who have been identified already, namely Arno van Zyl and Piet Lindeque, are fast-tracked into the senior squad during the current Currie Cup. It’s a bit of a bugger that the squad captain is currently occupying that position, but I feel the Sharks will need to take some short-term pain here in order to prepare for next year.
The other option, of course, is to actually just let Jean Stemmet have a go with the Currie Cup side to see how he does. He’s a player that was brought in at the beginning of the season to help plug this very hole, yet to date he hasn’t been given any opportunities. Very unfair to consign a player to the scrap heap without a fair trial, but I guess the management must have their reasons.
Wing and fullback, though, are similarly going to require some adventurous selections and a bit of faith, with my star for the future, young Sibusiso Sithole, the guy I feel is most likely to be able to take the step up next year. He’s big and ridiculously fast and showed that he has a nose for the tryline in scoring some unbelievable tries at the IRB Junior World Championship. We also have Luzuko Vulindlu in the system, although he’s currently out with a knee injury and I think it would be fair to say that he’s a player who, though undoubtedly talented, has yet to deliver on his promise and repay the faith that the Sharks have placed in him. Outside centre is probably his best position, but he showed during the 2008 Super 14 that he can be a very good winger too.
Mark Richards is another player who has sublime skills on attack. My feeling is that he will gravitate towards the number 13 jersey in time as well, but if he’s going to provide wing cover in the Super 15, he should at least be given a shot in the Currie Cup to see how he adapts to the senior game. Richards could also do his bit at fullback, although his lack of stature may just count against him here. Wynand Pienaar is impressing for the under 21s in the last line of defence, while the man occupying the number 15 shirt for the under 19s, Jaco van Tonder, has already spent some time training with the senior squad and is a definite talent for the future.
Whatever the case, though, identification and nurturing of outside back talent should probably be very high on the Sharks’ agenda for the next few years. Unless, that is, Rudolf Straueli has another ace or two up his sleeve. Jongi Nokwe? Gerhard van den Heever? Jaco Taute?
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Good outside centre’s are a problem in SA as a whole and not just at the Sharks
Just not Hoover!!! He will not be able to gel with the Durbs culture!! I don’t think there is sakkie-sakkie clubs in Durbs!
poaching sharks!!!
@Megatron (Comment 3) : ag , you know, you really are a bit of a tosser. I’d have thought you may have picked up on the fact that I’m picking your cousin to go on to greatness, but the best you can come up with is some stupid troll comment.
Grow up or sod off. I’m tired of you
Hopefully they are thinking of blooding someone even if its from the bench only.
I think we have enough cover on the wing in Mvovo, JPP as first choices with Odwa covering and with Richards/Vulindlu/Sithole/Rosco Speckman and even Oupa Terblanche all capable of filling in if necessary. What happened to Chris Jordaan by the way?
Fullback covered by Ludick, Lambie and Oupa.
Outside centre is the issue now as you have said. Need to give these youngsters a crack.
@Ice (Comment 2) : There was sakkie sakkie clubs down near the docks…
@robdylan (Comment 4) : dude, calm your @ss down, the duplicity shown by sharks management should irk you. They moaned that ulster were speaking to a still contracted ruan and thus in breach of irb rules, yet they had mapoe training with them in the hope that he can wangle his way out of his contract with the cheetahs.
If that is not deplorable i don’t know what is!
Sbura will have a future whether you rate him or not! And i appreciate the fact that you do to. Calm down robinho 😀
Just in on 365.. SARU failed to get the clearance certificate for Frans Steyn in time (14 days). Racing reckon Steyn can’t train due to a quad injury (SARU said ankle?) until Wednesday anyway… JOKERS!
WP currently have De Jongh, Fourie and in all probability Jean de Villiers. IMO, we should through the cheque book at singing De Jongh/De Villiers with the view that either of them will have a first team spot instead of warming the bench for the first 60m.
If that is not an option, then the time is now for a youngster to be brought up from the U21’s.
@Megatron (Comment 8) : utter twaddle. Sharks released Ruan early, just the same way they released every other player who had a legitimate desire to continue their career elsewhere.
Hang on, brain not working… JLP can play 13, Bosman is on his way.. We shouldnt be in that much trouble in the mid-field… Mapoe would have been a bonus, but hey, the Cheetahs have to win atleast one court case…
@Megatron (Comment 3) : I can’t believe people still use that tired old argument. Find me a team in SA that doesn’t poach and I’ll prove that megatron’s IQ is greater than his shoe size.
@Mole (Comment 12) : JLP was exposed on defence at 13 in the S15 if I remember correctly. Would rather have Meyer Bosman at 13, with JLP at 12 (only if Adi is injured) and Lambie at 10.. 3 Flyhalves?
@robdylan (Comment 11) : are you denying that Straueli complained that Ulster were in breach of irb rules for talking to ruan, who still had a contract with the sharks?
Good article Rob, losing Waylon was not so good, and as you say outisde backs & 13 is a worry… Oupa will be there for another season I am sure (I don’t agree with that though)… Lets hope the young guns within the system mature during the final stages of 2009 – there is some talent there indeed – Juan De Jongh shot up from oblivion, there are more like him out there definitely…
@Megatron (Comment 3) : Megatwat!!!!
@Oubaas2009 (Comment 9) : 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿
Thanks Rob 😀
@Baldrick (Comment 13) : there’s a 3 month window period before a contract expires when clubs are allowed to make offers to players, but before that, they are in breach of the rules. Straeuli was exposed when the Ebersohn brothers revealed that he offered them contracts prior to the window period and when they refused he gave them ultimatums!
Yet he can moan about Ulster!
@Just a Fan (Comment 18) : We chatted about that yesterday… Feared the worst from the outset. Really poor… Aplon to start at Fullback with JPP at right wing…
@ruggabugga (Comment 17) : classy 😀
@robdylan (Comment 11) : The Sharks have a fantastic culture of releasing a player who wishes to move on – you cannot discredit them there at all… An unhappy player is a dangerous player for all the wrong reasons – but I guess I am just echoing your sentiments…
@Megatron (Comment 22) : thanks twat ,why is it you always want to incite ?whats with that???
@Ice (Comment 2) : Hoover would cost me too much! If the sharks invest in him I`ll have to re-decorate my whole bar to blue and white! 🙄
@Original Pierre (Comment 25) : who’s Hoover??
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 21) : Really hope that the French are not as full of sh1t as the Brits, and let us have Frans. Not holding much hope for us especially if Ricky is back….
I don’t think letting Waylon go was a mistake, he has not had much class play in him ever since his first injury, he showed that on Saturday too. Pity, I rated this kid to become the next Danie Gerber, and he did not make it. I think he lost his flair. Perhaps scared to injure himself, but his heart is not in the game like it use to be.
@ruggabugga (Comment 24) : what i say is inciting only to those who seek obsequious comments on this blog! Get over it!
Arno and Piet both need to get some CC gametime. Stef should act as cover for 13, wing and fullback. The youngsters need to step in. Unfortunately Arno is still out injured for around a week. Sorry but i don’t rate Stemmet higher than both piet and Arno. Have seen enough of him to suggest that he is a good player, but not a Sharks first team player. Vodacom cup, The cheetahs, lions, southern kings…that is Stemmet’s zone i would suggest.
@Just a Fan (Comment 27) : It is a double blow mate, Frans Steyn has been out of rugby for 2 months (off season) and is carrying a quad injury, preventing him to train (medically) until next Wednesday, rather not play him in this test… Aplon at FB… Ricky Januarie, yep, it is what it is. His experience will see him start ahead of Hougaard who is not a thoroughbred scrummie in the purist sense… This is the Apollo 13, we have a problem here…
Megatron is looking for some attention, but engaging in name-calling is no better.
Rob: you been attending the Keo school of Alliteration lately?
I fear Richards seems too small to me, and Stefan has had his chips. Looking at the team for this weekend for example, there is very little pace or power in the backline. We need to change that for th S15.
@ruggabugga (Comment 26) : Gerhard vd Heever aka the guys who threw innocent Luke Watson against the add boards after the whistle went.
Reminds me a bit of JJ vd Walt and FA Meiring. You know, the way they used to fall on Faffa Knoetze after wp scored against the bulls in the eighties . . .
The more things change the more they stay the same . . .
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Hey Robbie, when the u21 side being announced. On the subject matter, i really belive Piet should have been put on the bench in place of swannie. It was a good opportunity to do so. When we play pumas again we need to give arno and piet gametime, i would even like to see no.8 Theisinger given a run. I like him more than Rhodes cause rhodes doesn’t really play like a 7, whereas theisinger can be like a young Alberts. Keen to see the big guy play again this weekend.
I agree with the article. Time to blood the youth now in the Currie Cup. Time to identify another long term captain as with Johann gone, John Smit due to go soon and Stef ready for the convalescent home, the Sharks need someone to take them forward next year. Keeping Stef at 13 is delaying the inevitable and stifling the Sharks progress. He added nothing against the Lions anyway and is being shown up as a center. Let him provide back 3 cover on the bench. Bring in a young 13 (especially should have been done against the Leopards) bring in some young 11s and 14s to replace old man Odwa and give Megatron the hug he so desperately needs.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 31) : Already wishing the 3n’s were over just so that I can deal with the pain.
@Ice (Comment 28) : @Ice (Comment 28) : Given the current situ I think Waylon is a loss, I do agree that he is not the same player, but he could have added value to this squad – especially with a distribution based inside centre in the form of Meyer Bosman coming to town, also a rejuvinated Swannie could link well with a confident again Waylon… Adi concerns me – he is a great player, but if we lose him to injury we are in the quagmire…
@Original Pierre (Comment 33) : “innocent” Luke watson..yeah right!
@JJR (Comment 34) : I already have the team. Will put it up a bit later
@Just a Fan (Comment 36) : No pain, just a timely reminder that we cant just pitch up at the WC and win. Time to cut the Earls, Jorries and Januaries of the team and develop`a plan B when things are going to hell in a handbasket. Time to follow the WP/Bulls/Sharks style of rugby rather than the Lions. Time for PdV to shave the handle bar moustache and prove he has a top lip.
@robdylan (Comment 4) : Nice one Rob…But are you serious about Nokwe? He can’t hurt a fly. Would prefer putting even a guy like arno at wing over him. Yes he has pace, but not good enough to cover for his lack of aggresion and strength. He had his moments and i think they are over. Good article though Rob, gets some debate going.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 35) :
Sharks dont look stifled to me! You cant throw out all the experience….Stef is doing okay and is an anchor for the young’uns…but he wont be there forever.
@robdylan (Comment 39) : Shot Rob 😉
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 40) : With PDV and Dickie there a miracle is needed..wonder if they will actually listen the WP defensive coach, or if his call up is just window dressing to stop the increasing linch mob.
@Just a Fan (Comment 42) : Yes, but thats not thanks to Stef… With a decent 13 we would have scored a few more times (and conceded a few less)
Ys, I was also a huge Murray fan, but oi fear that injury has put paid to his career: I suspect he runs sideways so as to avoid direct impact on his knees or something – seeing him in the tackle, he is as strong as ever there. Not sure what else could explain it.
@Just a Fan (Comment 44) : As far as I know the WP defensive coaches call up has been blocked by the WP who understandably want their man available to them for the CC.
@Just a Fan (Comment 36) : I am hoping we can hold the fort for the three home tests, but we need drastic change ahead of EOYT. If you follow a plan with 150% tenacity the kick and chase will work, but if you are off in key areas you will struggle, it is intriguing indeed.
@Big Fish (Comment 46) : Lets be honest, Waylon was Brad Barritts wingman. Without Barritt, Murray was lost and confused. Like Megatron on prom night.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 45) He may not be the best player on the field – but he brings the best out of the rest of the players on the field – there isn’t anyone else to do that at the moment….rmuch better option thatn having 15 loose canons on the field.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 47) : 😥
@Big Fish (Comment 46) : He needs a sports psychologist and desperately needs confidence – if he trusts himself in the contact point I think he will be a great Super series outside centre, but any Bok hopes died with Jake White. I think he is a fantastic player and regardless what union he represents I think we’d all love to see Waylon back to his brilliant best…
@Just a Fan (Comment 50) : Im not a fan of having a player who is a specialist captain. We need to pick the best 15, then the best leader from them.
@Megatron (Comment 29) : obsequious!!meg man kudo’s for that one well done,i just wonder who you are trying to impress??you must certainly be a mensa member!! 😆 😆
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 48) : PDV and DIckkie, need to change their ideas about running the ball out needlessly with the right platform, as well as the need to compete at breakdowns…the AB’s and Wallies are so good at keeping the ball in hand, that it is proving more difficult to get possession any other way. They know our strength at the lineouts and avoid those at all costs – if we dont compete at the Breakdowns we wont get the ball.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Sharks refute Pienaar move
28 May 2010
Rudolf Straeuli denies that Ruan Pienaar has
signed a two-year deal with Ulster and says
the Irish club are breaching IRB regulations.
Pienaar’s move to Northern Ireland has
been speculated about since before the
start of the Super 14, but the Sharks say
Ulster have no right to speak to him yet as
his contract only expires at the end of this
year. Reports on the weekend also stated
that Pienaar ’s relationship with Springbok
coach Peter de Villiers has soured, and De
Villiers said that Pienaar is likely to leave at
the end of the year.
Although the Sharks acknowledged the
move is on the cards, commercial manager
Straeuli said it wasn ’t confirmed.
‘Basically, they’re announcing something
they can’t announce,’ Straeuli said.
Ulster have stated that the deal is already
done and that they ’re in talks with the
Sharks regarding Pienaar’s release date.
‘We’re in no negotiations with them,’ said
Straeuli. ‘We have a right to match their
offer and we won’t release him, we’re
fighting for him.
‘According to IRB regulations they are
speaking to a player outside of the window
period in terms of when his contract ends. ’
Johann Muller’s departure to Ulster was
confirmed in February, and since then the
club ’s operations director David Humphreys
has been trying to entice Pienaar to join
Muller and BJ Botha in Belfast.
Humphreys
came to Durban at the start of the year,
where he also reportedly spoke to Pienaar.
‘We were well aware of Johann’s situation
the whole time. But with Ruan, they aren’t
consulting with the right parties,’ said
Straeuli.
Pienaar also has a Bok contract until the end
of this year, but according to weekend
reports coach De Villiers seems resigned to
the fact Pienaar will leave. De Villiers has
repeatedly stated his preference for
selecting locally-based players, and if
Pienaar were to head north under a year
before the World Cup, his chances would be
severely jeopardised.
Straeuli wouldn’t confirm or deny whether
Pienaar was looking to leave and said the
Sharks would arrange a meeting with him
on his return from Bok duty.
Meanwhile, as the Irish media and Ulster
have been stating for over a month, they
consider Pienaar ’s arrival a formality.
@Megatron (Comment 20) : Your point was about poaching talent from other unions that I responded to. Not the timing thereof.
The story goes that Mapoe approached the Sharks (and Bulls). He wanted to leave, it wasn’t a case of the Sharks or Bulls trying to poach him. The fact that the Bulls made him an offer of R1.4 mil or something like that shows that they were happy to talk to him in contract as well as the Sharks.
Where does all the black talent at FS come from? You don’t think they take their hunting rifles to the EC for a bit of poaching themselves?
Just like the Bulls poach WP. And the Sharks paoch FS. And FS poach Griquas. and. and. and…..
@Baldrick (Comment 57) : the Bulls never allowed Mapoe to train with them, even when his agent came to them! When they realised he still had a contract with the Cheetahs, they said ‘thanks, but no thanks’.
No, but the Sharks allowed Mapoe to train @ Absa park with them and i’m convinced employed their lawyer to comb his contract for loopholes!
Fyi. Mapoe is Free State through & through, he went to primary school @ Koot Neiman & high school @ Firchadtpark High School both of them in Bloem.
@Megatron (Comment 56) : If only Straeuli and co made such a big deal out of Frans Steyn and Brad Barrits` moves. Losing Pienaar isn`t such a big blow.
@Baldrick (Comment 57) : by the way there’s nothing wrong with unions approching players who are about to go out of contract with their current team, as long as it is done within the irb rules and the window period that straeli was crying about is respected and honoured. 😀
@Original Pierre (Comment 59) : Agreed. Sharks need more steel, less fluff. Leave it to WP to have the fluff…
@Original Pierre (Comment 59) : are ruan & frans represented by the same agent?
@Original Pierre (Comment 59) : Frans is gone, Barrit I do agree was a loss… Frans is a fantastic player, but I think needed time away from SA rugby – he was becoming a problem and you don’t want to see that happen with such a young talent – Frans will be an ongoing saga, one that I don’t want to be involved in.
@Megatron (Comment 62) : I believe so, yes.
@robdylan (Comment 64) : actually, I could be wrong. Struggling to find who Ruan’s agent is at the moment.
@Original Pierre (Comment 59) :
and the ticket to Ulster cost you less than to Japan.
@robdylan (Comment 64) : i guess divvie is not the fan 🙄
Gerrie Swart is a bit of a runaway train, let’s just put it that way 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 67) :
That the bloody agent?
If so…the runaway train got Steyn a nice little package deal in France…. 😉
@robdylam: perhaps the sharx are so tight-lipped bout mapoe because they are still pusuing the player behind the scenes?really hope so because he is a def talent we could do with-strong,skillful runner with plenty of pace!iu also in previous postings and comments mentioned walter venter as thnking he is joining the sharks(made 2 believe so by sharks management but then dropped i believe?).how lng is his leopards contract for?and have sharx re-approached him?
@bergshark (Comment 69) : he cannot play for anyone other than the Leopards now that he has represented them in the Currie Cup
@robdylan: do u think the sharx should try and get him 4 nxt year? I also agree that we need to give lindeque a few runs in the senior side(note i said a few and nt just a few min in one game against so-called weak side).arno v zyl looks suspect on defence,otherwise another exciting prospect.also,why have they discarded stemmet?cnt just him to his full potential in vc side.put him with the big boys vs the big boys!then [email protected]
@bergshark (Comment 71) : I see Walla as primarily a 12 and with all the other guys we’ve bought, I don’t think he’d get game time. A pity, because I rate him highly – always have.
I can’t be objective about Stemmo because I like the guy so much. I feel he has been badly treated, but then again, what do I know?
It would have been nice to get Mapoe but we’re still going to have a strong squad next year. We have backs that can move around:
Lambie: 10, 12, 15
Bosman: 10, 12, 13
JLP: 10, 12, 13
Adi: 12, 13
JPP: 11, 14, 15
Ludik: 11, 14, 15
Mvovo: 11, 14, 13 (would love to see him play here)
Odwa: 11, 14, 15
And that’s without Meyer, Monty, Cronje, Swannie, Andries, Vulindlu, etc.
i start seeing some likeness between lambie and steyn : moving him around , moving other guys around to accomodate him 🙄 plus the 10 curse – poor lambie.
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 74) : o’ connor has played all the positions lambie has, with aplomb
@Megatron (Comment 75) : and wing
how well Mapoe sorry my friend i was looking forward to c you play as a Shark, 🙁
When will he be able to play for the Sharks and when does his contract end for the dame Cheetahs 😕 😉