One of the personal commitments that I’ve made recently is to tone down the rumour-mongering on this site. That said, I feel it would be remiss of me to completely ignore a pretty big rumour out there at the moment, particularly given that it comes from a usually reliable source.
Mike Greenaway of the Mercury made a seemingly throwaway comment in his regular column towards the end of last week, indicating that Sharks scrumhalf Rory Kockott was in talks with Western Province with a view to joining them next year. While perhaps a little surprising, it probably wouldn’t come as that much of a shock to Sharks fans if he did leave, given that his shares in Durban have fallen dramatically over the course of the 2010 season, with Charl McLeod regularly preferred in the number 9 jersey this Currie Cup.
Coach John Plumtree has been pretty vocal in his criticism of Kockott this year too and seems to have put paid to any notion that the live-wire number nine would have automatic dibs on the jersey vacated by Ulster-bound Ruan Pienaar. With Pienaar already gone, though, should Kockott leave too, the Sharks would find themselves desperately short of options in the vital scrumhalf position with the inaugural Super 15 looming.
Ross Cronje and Cobus Reinach are playing well for the under 21s, but with Charl McLeod now 27, there does seem to be a big gap for an experienced 9 to fill. I for one haven’t heard any names linked to the Sharks since the Jano Vermaak rumour was quashed a few weeks ago.
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Hey Warren Broz, Durban is spelt with a capital. And in the previous article “year” doesn’t have a silent ‘t’. 😉 😆
I for one would be sad if he left and went to Province. Remember the great game he and Ruan had against Stormers in the S14? Hope somehow we can keep Rory. Think McLeod is 28 this year. Rory still young would hope we can keep him. But he must feel frustrated always sitting on the bench.
As for the rumour, well I am not sure I would miss Rory. His place kicking is excellent, but it ends there. And what makes him think he will start at Province.
Not surprised indeed. 🙄 But how will he feel competing against Duvenage and Ricky… O wait maybe just against Duvenage. 😆 (WP is not the Boks you know 😉 )
Cronje’s distibution was crisp in the U21 game, only complaint I have is his defence needs a little work.
Okay just checked on Sharksrugby. Rob you right McLeod is 27 but Rory is far younger.
I think it would be a shame to see him go. He has his ups and downs but can be an exciting player to watch, if a bit of a live wire!
I think people are a bit harsh on Rory. It will be sad to see the Rocket go 🙁
@Jarson (Comment 8) : if you like him watch him at province. it isn’t like he is totally lost to sa rugby.
Dewaldt, Ricki , Connie and Rory.Too muts ekse
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 10) : who’s Connie?
I’m trying to think of all the special Rory moments but for some reason the number one moment for me was when Rory slapped Adam Thomson.
Not funny 😡 but funny 😆
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 10) : anyway, the way you okes sell ALL your scrummies to the Bulls, it’s not surprising you want one of ours 🙂
@Farlington (Comment 12) : it was a highlight all right
If this is true we are going to have to find an adequate replacement, if McLeod had to pick up an injury we would be stuffed…
Not the biggest Kockott fan by any means, but having him in the 22 is a huge boost for the Sharks. Not so sure a move to WP would be the best option for him though – he doesnt exactly take sitting on the bench very well, and will have to contest the no 9 jersey with 3 other class 9’s…
If it is true, which players out there would the bloggers recommend as replacements?
@Mole (Comment 15) : cronje, and contract dependent sarel pretorious.
@Farlington (Comment 12) : 😆 It did cost us though but what the heck it was funny 😀 How a slap brought down a guy like Thomson was spectacular 😆 Remember the dive to the ground after that slap..hehe. Reminded me of all the diving in football….hehehehe.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Conrad Hoffman
@Mole (Comment 15) : you know me. I’d always far rather back the youth we have. But id we need to buys someone, I’d go for Sarel Pretorius or Michael Bondesio
And maybe he spoke to Oom Rassie and he will be turned into a flyhalf or goalkicking flanker
@Mole (Comment 15) : griquas don’t play super rugby, so pay them to have sarel play for the sharks, then release him for cc.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : I assume it’s Conrad Hoffmann…good player too.
@try time (Comment 16) : Im thinking someone like Heini Adams, good service and 3rd choice at the Bulls. Sarel would be a huge asset!
@try time (Comment 16) : contract dependent?? In this day and age why should that matter? 😆 😆 😆
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 18) : Was just going to say is it Hoffman. David on keo mentioned him to me the other day. I had never ever heard or seen him before. 😳
Not a pleasant rumour at all .. Keep rory ! Yes,methinks i will start a ‘keep-rory-at-the-sharks’ campaign.. Maybe a week of rolling mass action @ the staduim could help
@Mole (Comment 23) : bulls players seem to have contracts tighter than ducks’ bums, so it would be difficult to get him. but he is a good player.
@Greg (Comment 24) : 😆 but can we afford to wait three months for arbitration.
@Puma (Comment 25) : Was very promising in his debut season for the Stormers but then had to undergo surgery, after that oom rassie decided he had the skills to be a 10 so was thrown to the VC squad to get some gametime.
That experiment has since been shelved but the damage has been done.
Hope this is just a rumour though..perhaps greenaway a rory fan,and ir trying to persuade plum to give rory more gametime 😀
@try time (Comment 27) : The captain of Maties during the Varsity Cup was, I think Stevens, he was an awesome 9, excellent service, strong and read the game really well.. What happened to him? Anyone know?
The more I think about it, the more I like your idea of Sarel
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 29) : Okay so now I know and of him 😉 So where will Rory fit in?
@Puma (Comment 32) : The bench ….or flyhalf 😈
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 33) : Play him at FH. Grant not that great. Otherwise a waste to have Rory sitting on the bench again.
@Puma (Comment 34) : Peter Grant is just fine and is a WP boykie, plus theres De Waal and Lionel Cronje
@Mole: that maties sc u mentioned! When u mentioned him i just remembered how impressed i was with him 2 ,good call !
Okay out of here now. Cheers all.
@bergshark (Comment 36) : You have any idea where he is now? I cant remember seeing him on any CC team sheets…
@Mole (Comment 31) : Donald Steven
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 35) : Province going to have him on the bench then. Thought Grant came from Durbs 😀
Okay catch up later. Out of here now.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 39) : Im sure it was Stevens or something like that… he was the captain if i remember correctly…
Donald Stevens is playing for the EP Kings at the moment
But is rory working on his passing skills? Read an article where gareth edwards said that every season he tried to make his pass faster and more accurate.
if rory would get over himself, he could be a very good winger. he has a good boot and could assist the fullback. pity is, the one game rory came on to play in another backline position to cover an injury, he kept pushing charl out the way to get the ball out himself.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 42) : BUY BUY BUY!!!
@Mole (Comment 23) : Dont think Adams is still with the Bulls , seem to recall him moving overseas , think it was italy ..??
@King Deysel (Comment 46) : you are right almost. france. bourdeux to be exact.
Reality of the modern era.
2 seasons ago he was class; since then he has forgotten what his primary job is.
Charl had to wait a long time to get to the top: Rory should recognise and copy the kind of self-motivation and belief that takes. Re-focus and refine his game: come back a better player.
If he does leave because of this, then its good riddance. And I see no reason not o throw a youngster into the deep-end: how old were Hoffman and Hougaard when their unions blooded them?
I will welcome Rory with open arms any day of the week.
Thanks!
Rory has nowhere near enough pace for wing. Speed has never been a strong point of his.
He can kick, tackle, and theoretically (being a 9), he can read a game and pass too.
Could be a flyhalf. I often thought it would be his best position, but who wants a flyhalf who never passes?
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 18) : oh yes
@Mole (Comment 15) :
We can always send Ricky your way!! 😉
@Mole (Comment 45) : POACH POACH POACH!!! 😆 😆
@Mole:just googled it-seems as if by the sound of it donald stevens (thanx 2 clayton ) is contracted to the ep kings till end of 2013 season..found this written by one jeremy ball on 22 june
ha ha! If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then I am most chuffed.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Kockott-heading-to-WP-20100816
@Morné (Comment 49) : it’s a pleasure. he comes with a “voetstoots” clause 😆
@Farlington (Comment 12) : in one of the game he was slapping opposition scrummie i’m ashamed to say where 🙄
You should confrontate them about plagiarism, Rob.
@Big Fish (Comment 58) : I’m confrontating them about hypocrisy first…
Lemme know if you need any backstops or if I should bring my connections (like Keegan Daniels).
@Big Fish (Comment 60) :
😆
@Big Fish (Comment 60) : simple diplomacy has done the trick and we now have a credit in their article. Thanks to Tank Lanning – what a gent.
@King Deysel (Comment 46) : Thats a really good move for him.
@wpw (Comment 52) : Does his contract include his unlimited McDonalds membership? We send you Kockott, you send us De Jongh… 😉
@Greg (Comment 53) : Exactly!! 😉
@King Deysel (Comment 46) : France somewhere, I thought…
I wonder what Sarel Pretorius’s plans are…
I really was full of hope when I put Rory into my Currie Cup Fantasy League team over on http://www.justrugby.net He’s been a big disappointment, though.
@robdylan (Comment 62) :
Well done!! 😉
Does this mean we can start using their material again?
@robdylan (Comment 62) : Am tempted to say that sharks management would do well to learn some of that in their player negotiations, but I won’t 😆
@wpw (Comment 67) : I wouldn’t go that far, kemosabe. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 64) : Yip it is , thanks to T T for confirmation , see 47.
@King Deysel (Comment 70) : ah thanks… that’ll teach me not to read comments!
I reckon Kockott will make a perfect WP player.. He should move before this weekends game so that he can slow down their awesome backline and can be caught by Alberts while taking 4 steps before passing the ball..
Great idea or what?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 72) : let’s just hope Alberts is fit for this weekend’s game 😳
Do you guys really rate Charl McClown as a good player?
Personally I think he’s rubbish. Do me a favour, in the next game where he’s on the field… pay attention how often he is not present to pass the ball from a ruck or tackled ball.
Rory is one of the best scrum-half’s in my opinion. He’s quick, accurate and unpredictable. He also communicates well with the ref (a quality I believe is very important), pointing out illegal play from the opposition teams at scrums and rucks. The only criticism I’ve ever had of him was his lack of discipline sometimes.
If Rory leaves, it would be a great loss for the Sharks!
@ Rob
Is he not training? Not good news.. we desperately need him against Province..
Will sending our A team to the Leopards come back to bite us!?
@jackal (Comment 74) : I think he has done a great deal for the Sharks in the Currie Cup so far.. Have you not noticed that we are scoring tries? And more than 4 on quite a few more occasions than when Rocket was at the base of the ruck?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 75) : according to an article on Sharksrugby this morning, he hurt his ankle and will need to be assessed… Not sure what that means
@robdylan (Comment 77) : All three those players mentioned in the article are rather important to our chances this weekend..
@jackal (Comment 74) : If there is one area where he needs work its his ruck attendance, that being said his defence is awesome and is always making tackles, often at key times… Having the ball get past 9 has been a revelation for the Sharks, and as Richard has said, we are scoring at a higher rate because of it…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 76) : Please, just have a look at how often he is not present at a ruck or tackled ball.
I think the Sharks try scoring has nothing to do with Charl. I believe there would have been more tries if not for him!
Also, big problem if Rory leaves. We don’t have a back-up kicker. I don’t think Lambie is experienced enough to be our main kicker. Come the pressure games, he might fold, and we’ll be in trouble.
Well me for one don’t like to c any players go to other side unless he is getting 2 old for the JOB if u know what i mean and i think Rory hada good game and still has alot to offer the Sharks so i am hoping he’ll stay until he is like 37 then go to WP or anyone else 🙄
@jackal (Comment 80) : Did you see the match on Friday night? I reckon if McLeod had played the entire game, we would have scored o lot more!
Im not arguing the fact that McLeod need to work on getting to the ball quicker, but you can’t say that, in a backline that is almost exactly the same as in the Super 14, the improved play is not thanks to Mcleod?!?!
Lambie has been doing pretty well in the goal kicking department, and even though I agree that he does not have the greatest boot, he has been doing well so far. And we have Dumond as backup should something go wrong..
And hey, don’t forget, we signed JL Potgieter..
@jackal (Comment 80) : i cant agree with you… just look at what charl was doing before the ruck that he`s not at the base (usually after one of his snipping runs, while he`s still at the base of the ruck, or after doing the rucking himself. he`s one of the unsung heroes of the 2010 cc.
@Mole (Comment 79) : ruck attendance, speed of clearance and option-taking on attack
I have the stats for the 5 games played prior to Friday night..
McCleod himself had to attend (like a forward) 40 rucks himself..
Averaging the stats out over game time.. McLeod handles the ball exactly twice as many times during a game than Kockott does.
And those 40 times that he attended the ruck he could obviously not be at the base to pass the ball..
@Jackal,
Charl moves the ball out more often, and quicker than Rory, without a doubt. This is pretty clear, and there is no way you can say we are scoring more tried despite, rather than because of him. Rory’s last few appearances have confirmed this.
@jackal (Comment 74) : You obviously watch rugby from a different perspective from me. The Sharks score more tried because McLeod does the basics well and that is to distribute the ball quickly. He might not be as flashy as Rory but he’s more effective.
You say he communicates well with ref….while this might be true how much time do you think it takes to have a chat to the ref. By the time you’ve had your chat the opposition defences have all lined up. The Sharks struggled to score try bonus points in the S14 and this year they’ve scored 4 tries in every game bar 1
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 82) : he rich how many time are u going to get our avater changed 😳 😉
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 82) : I did see the game on Friday night. Did you notice, we didn’t score any more tries when he came on?
We don’t have exactly the same backline as in the Super 14?! Pat Lambie or Steven Meyer at flyhalf. JP Petersen back from injury. Mvovu on the wing. Ludik at fullback. I think the only players from the Super14 in their places are Strauss and Terblanche (even though Terblanche played at fullback and wing).
Oh yes, JL Potgieter is a much better prospect than Monty Dumond.
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 57) : hey sister where hv u been long time no hear 😉
@jackal (Comment 90) : We actually did score while he was on.. the second Terblanche try was in the last 10 minutes and McLeod ws on for 20..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 85) : Isn’t the job of the scrum-half to pass the ball from the ruck, instead of rucking like a forward? And how many of his “sniping runs”, did he pass the ball to a player from the opposite team? He doesn’t think well on his feet. We’re lucky he didn’t drop the ball in that last try against the cheetahs!
@jackal (Comment 93) : If we stand to lose the ball.. should he just leave it be, or join the ruck and protect the ball?! Thats 40 times in that he has protected the ball.. anybody can pass the ball, set up another phase and then get the scrummie to be creative..
Without the ball you can’t do much..
@jackal (Comment 93) : Are you sure you are a Sharks supporter? You seem to be very critical of one of the best finds of the season so far.. Name a better performing scrummie in the Currie Cup so far?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 86) : my point exactly. Thanx Rich
Jackal – maybe you ARE Rory Kockott? 🙂
This sucks really but I can (sort of) understand where Kockott is coming from if he leaves. he played behind Ruan for some time then when Ruan moved he became the #1 only to be dropped to #2 when mcLeod stepped up and did so well.
on the one hand he is acting like a petulant kid if he does leave because of that on the other hand he is justified in looking for s place where he will be #1.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 98) : The question is will he be 1st choice at WP. I recon Rory should hang around and work hard and fight for his spot back. He’s got the talent he just needs to work on his option taking.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 95) : Rory Kockott! Just wish he had more game time. He started against Griquas, and we were doing great. Then McClown and Dumond came on, and the Sharks lost the plot and we lost the game. Then he must have ticked off Plumbtree somehow, cos he got dropped from the starting line-up (even though he had a great game against Griquas, with 100% kicking record and slick passing).
Are you like Charl’s dad or uncle or something? Cos I really don’t see ANYTHING special about his rugby.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 95) : imo – rory would be well suited for a team that playes 10 man rugby. slowing the game down to a screaching halt, short passes and a kicking game… bulls comes to mind.
@jackal (Comment 100) : you are in the clear minority, though…
@Pokkel (Comment 99) :
Who will he play behind at Wp thiough, Ricky is well past it and the current scrummy Duvenhage is okay but not better than Kockott.
We may actually get a chance to see this weekend 😛
@Rich, @VanWilder…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! WTF! What blind idiot can even say that Mcleod is in the same league as Rory? Come on VanWilder and Rich! Rory scored 2 on the weekend, not because there was a huge gap but because he MADE a gap. McLeod is too busy hiding behind Terblanche to try maybe get an inside pass or something. The dude is NEVER there, doesn’t chirp the ref and his passes are rubbish!
@jackal (Comment 100) :
I agree with Rob you are in the minority.
McLeod is leaps ahead of Kockott at the moment.
I also think you are making a big mistake by conveniently attributing the drop in performance to when McLeod came on. Maybe (most DEFINITELY IMO) the drop in form was because of the new 10 on the field and not the new 9.
@jackal (Comment 100) : If my memory is correct Kockott actually cost us a try against griqwas , he was so busy communicating to the ref that we got counter rucked off our own ball and they scored ! As they say , there is a time to talk and a time to shut up and do , unfortunately Rory cant tell which is which !! When Charl was playing for the Falcons , he almost beat us on his own and that is clearly why we signed him. He must get credit for hanging around as the 3/4 choice 9 and doing the hard yards in the backround and then when getting his chance , taking it with both hands and producing the goods !! He definately deserves his spot and the backline looks all the better for it .
@King Deysel (Comment 106) :
Kockott, like Hougaard from the Bulls, spends too much time appealing to the ref for things and not enough time watching the ball.
@FlameBoi (Comment 104) : Rory only scored one this weekend.
BTW, I’m one of the blind idiots to which you refer and I’d thank you not to call me an idiot – at least until you get to know me better
@all soz i’m a lil hasty sometimes…we all have opinions
@FlameBoi (Comment 104) : Dude , he only got 1 , the other one , he lost the ball in the tackle !! His passes were kak , everything he threw was around the ankles…
Dont get too carried away , we only played against the leopards , the question is can he make gaps against WP / Bulls ??
@robdylan (Comment 108) :
@King Deysel (Comment 110) : I think all of our comments are biased towards our players of choice. I keep seeing Charl’s mistakes, and you guys keep seeing Rory’s mistakes. Lets try and watch Saturday’s game unbiased and with open minds. I’m sure at the end we’ll all see that Rory is the best scrumhalf. 😉
@King Deysel (Comment 110) : WP and Bulls will definitely be the real test for both McLeod and Rory. I agree with Jackel on the point that McLeod is never at the breakdown and he just doesn’t have the fire Rory has. Understood it was the leopards but its been his only game with more than 10 min out on the field. McLeod has had his chances with all our other games and hasn’t impressed. Has he even scored?
@jackal (Comment 112) :
Except that there are more of us seeing Rory’s mistakes than there are seeing Charl’s mistakes. 😉
What on earth is going on at our famous club? Coach Plumtree seems bent on getting rid of anybody and everybody at the Sharks. I find it extremely depressing that there is an exodous of players at the Sharks but other franchises are managing to keep their players. Why? Just lately we have lost Butch James, B.J. Botha, Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Deon Carstens, Johan Muller, Waylon Murry and the latest Rory Kockott wanting to move. Should we not be trying to keep these players rather than replace them with others from other teams who are not of such a high standard? The Sharks popularity is on the wane and as an avid fan I am saddened by this. People are shifting loyalties to WP as they seem to want their players to stay and be the best they can be. Wake up Plumtree before there aren’t any players of Super 15 calibre left to play anymore!!! Maybe that is your plan. Rory adds zip and pizzaz compared to Charl and now he want’s to go. Try to keep him please. The next person who will want to leave will be Patrick Lambie as he has to play a different position every week just like Frans Steyn had to. Please Plum wake up before our Beloved Sharks sit at the bottom of the Super 15.
@FlameBoi (Comment 113) :
the bulls hurdle has been cleared comfortably, the WP hurdle will be cleared this weekend LESS comfortably.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 114) : This won’t be the 1st time the majority is wrong.
Saturday’s game is going to be a ripper though! Can’t wait!
@FlameBoi (Comment 113) : there’s a school of thought that it isn’t really the scrumhalf’s job to score the tries… 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 118) : True but imagine if you had one that did…one like Rory?
@robdylan (Comment 118) : Who’s “job” would it be then to score the tries? I doubt anyone would mind if the scrumhalf were to score many tries. They may even go as far as calling him the best scrumhalf in the world, like they did with Fourie…
from a WP supporters perspective i would be thrilled with the signing of Kockitt…..a damn fine player. Will certainly strengthen the Stormers and WP squad.
@FlameBoi (Comment 119) : well, of course, when it comes to tries being scored, it’s a little bit petty to get too picky about who scores them.
But if the wingers are scoring tries, you shouldn’t then say the scrumhalf is playing like kak.
Take the try of Rory’s that wasn’t scored. He had the opportunity to pass to a player in a better position and the try would have been scored. But he didn’t. For every one he scores, he’ll waste two others through being selfish. Just my take on it.
Both are quality players: but Rory is out of form. I think all Sharks fans hope he stays and regains form.
In any event, tries by a scrumhalf are not really a sign of quality. FDP is the best because of how well he allows others to play, not because he scores dozens of tries.
@robdylan (Comment 122) : If the wings get the ball its not well done to the scrumhalf, its well done to the flyhalf and his backline. Its not only tries for Rory, he creates tries by taking that inside line, look at his running meters gained if the stats are shown, and personally they look mind blowing for a scrumhalf
Wes reckons that Alister Coetzee just quashed the rumour on CapeTalk FM
@FlameBoi (Comment 124) : ok – so I went and looked at the “running metres gained” stat for Rory against Griquas, which was the last game he started for which stats are available.
Want to guess how many metres he made?
The answer is -1
i agree with jackal
@robdylan (Comment 126) : That’s very subjective. In the Lion’s game Charl made 8 metres and Rory 22. Rory also made 3 tackles, same as Charl, but Charl missed 2, and Rory didn’t miss any. Charl also made 3 handling errors to Rory’s 0.
@willa (Comment 127) : that’s ok. You’re entitled to your opinion, even if it is the wrong one
@jackal (Comment 128) : ok, but one good break can easily give you 22 metres. Compare it to what the real ball carriers made and that game and you’ll find that the difference between 8 and 22 is hardly statistically significant. My argument is that scrummies aren’t meant to be making metres… they’re meant to be passing the ball. My view is that Charl does that faster and more reliably than Rocket does. At the moment,
@robdylan (Comment 126) : thats one game, compare the 22m gained by Rory to the 8m by Mcleod and ask yourself who was on longer?
@robdylan (Comment 126) : Loving these stats. Tells a good story. In the Sharks vs Bulls game, McCleod made 6 handling errors. The highest in the team (the closest at 4). Against the Pumas, Charl again had the highest in handling errors with 6 again (the closest at 3). Against the Cheetahs, Charl again got the highest with 5 handling errors(closest was 3). Against the Lions, he tied with Lambie at 3…
You really think he’s that good? Obviously, not getting to the ruck and tackle quickly isn’t his only flaw.
Agreed with Jackal, but lets wait for the WP game where Rory is starting. Exciting stuff!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 82) : I hate to disagree with you noble sire As good as lambie is its his kicking that is the weakest link about 62% i believe I believe Rory should start and play for 50 mins on saturday-unlike most of the blog i tend to think he is a good scrummie whose confidence has taken a knock and its not helped by us so called experts throwing stones at him all the time-Whilst it appears that Charl is a better distributer and passer i think it has more to do with who is outside him-when Rory had Riaan outside him we looked great with our wonderful S14 flyhalf signing who was no goode we looked like palookas! I dont think that Fourie would have made any difference to our play we still would not have scored tries We have a flyhalf who runs the ball now and look we score tries.
for whats its worth I hope Rory stays but i have heard its not province but the Bulls that are looking at him very seriously
Rob, please tell me where the Jano Vermaak rumours were quashed? The Lions said they were hoping that he would extend his contract, but even now he hasn’t. My take is that Rory is going not because McLeod is playing ahead of him but because it looks like Vermaak will be signing for next year, that and the fact that his coach publicly criticised him.
@FlameBoi (Comment 131) :
but that is JUST the issue that I have with Rory. his MAIN priority is linking the forwards to the backs NOT breaking and trying to do too much on his own.
A scrumhalf with a high number of running meters is NOT always a good thing. if we were talking 10 through 15 i’d agree with you but NOT at 9.
@Jackal
You are correct that Charl makes a few handling erros.. But I’m a numbers man, and if you take into consideration that he handles the ball a lot more than every other player, he is on par..
If you take the handling errors in relation to times handling the ball, charl errors once in every 17 touches.. That’s a 6% error count.. That’s fair don’t you think?
@jackal (Comment 132) :
Kockett knocked on 4 out 62 handles = 6.4%
McLeod knocked on 21 out 325 handles = 6.4%
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 137) : thanks – that’s what I would have said if I hadn’t been out running 🙂
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 138) : oh gotta love that. What a SMACK that was.
Well done, Sir Richard. You get 100 points.
@robdylan (Comment 139) :
@robdylan (Comment 140) :
Rob, you will love this spreadsheet I have set up.. I can’t wait to add to it after the Leopards game and prove how bad Kockett really was..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 137) : How does handling errors usually happen? When you are on the receiving end of the ball, right? Picking up a non-moving ball off the ground, shouldn’t ever be knocked on, unless it’s a stupid mistake. Well, because McCleod is a scrumhalf, he is at the distribution end on most occasions, which should not cause any handling errors. Thus, that negates the statistic you just produced. That logic would make sense if we were talking about the flyhalf that receives a lot of the ball, and can make an error much easier. But McCleod is making the most handling errors of the whole team, and he’s the player that’s on the receiving end of the ball the least. Meaning, he’s got the least excuse. Meaning, he’s stuffing up unnecessarily quite often.
@jackal (Comment 142) : Then explain how Kockett makes exactly the same amount of errors in comparison to McLeod, if you ratio it out?
Is that match point yet or am I mistaken?
@jackal (Comment 142) :
So considering that Kockott and Charl have the exact same error figures we can therefore just replace McLeod’s name with Kockott in the comment you just made?
Yes?
@FlameBoi (Comment 133) :
Rory is starting? Has Plum gone soft in the head?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 143) : Not even close. I’d love to see the stats on the Leopards game.
But shall we have a look at kicking metres, and points scored? Oh yes, apparently a points scoring scrumhalf is not important.
Anyway, the reason I hate McCleod’s rugby, is because half of the rucks and tackled balls, he’s nowhere to be seen. Now if he’s at the bottom of the ruck or not, he’s supposed to be passing the ball to the backline. Just go to youtube and watch the Sharks vs Bulls game highlights. Look at our first try. The 1st 2 phases are set up by forwards playing scrumhalf. He only comes jogging along at the 3rd phase! Also, whenever he does find himself with the ball in space, he finds a way of stuffing it up!
The reason I like Rory’s rugby, is cos he’s right there at every ruck and maul, and his passes are crisp and accurate. He is a fantastic place kicker. His play around the fringes of the rucks and scrums, are also some of the best I’ve seen from a scrumhalf. He is a player that if on form, can dominate a game. Charl McCleod doesn’t have that. He’s as good as he can be in my opinion, and it’s barely up to scratch for Curry Cup level.
@jackal (Comment 146) :
He is a player that if on form, can dominate a game
That’s the key. At the moment he isn’t on form.
Wow after all those comments, who is still reading? I think Plumtrees ego got in the way and that you do need the Rory Kockott’s in a team. For me it’s a pity that Plumtree couldn’t coach Kockott’s kicking ability in the up & unders as in the mould of a Fourie Du Preez
Just surprised that Kockott didn’t go to Melbourne. http://www.sharksworld.co.za/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif
@jackal (Comment 146) :
Firstly, kicking meters won’t get you anywhere, as we are keeping the ball in hand to play according to the new rules. Thats a game plan, and we really dont need to kick the ball (and possession) away.
The best attributes for a scrummie to have is a good quick pass and to spot a gap. Once again I quote from the stat book..
McLeod has had 4 line breaks in the Currie Cup so far, with Rocket sneaking 1..
The more we talk about this, the more you will find that McLeod is in the form of his life and the best decision Plumtre is making every week is to have McLeod in the 9 jumper and Rory on the bench.
Don,t even understand why western province would want him they Duvenage ,Januarie and hoffman who are all more reliable than kockett he has good moments but there far apart ,macloed is 27 and the junior scrumhilfs can gain experience
From news24.com
Cape Town – If rumours doing the rounds in Durban are to be believed, scrumhalf Rory Kockott will be playing for Western Province next season.
Mercury columnist Mike Greenaway indicated last week that the Sharks No 9 was in talks with Western Province with a view to joining them next year.
Given that his shares in Durban have fallen dramatically over the course of the 2010 season, as pointed out by http://www.sharksworld.co.za, the news may not come as a shock to fans. Charl McLeod has been Sharks coach John Plumtree’s preferred choice in the Currie Cup this season.
The Sharks have already lost the services of Ulster-bound Ruan Pienaar, and should Kockott leave too, the Durban-based outfit would find themselves short of options in the scrumhalf position with the inaugural Super 15 looming.
Also saw on News24.com rumours of the sharks wanting Conrad Hoffman ,sharks and province need to do a trade sharks would be the winners in that trade hoffman can place kick and play flyhalf he is ruan pienaar like
@FlameBoi (Comment 113) : Scores are currently 1 try each , Charl vs Pumas and Rory vs Leopards . But you should know that if you watched all the games …..
@zvision10 (Comment 152) : Just saw the same thing dude.Connie has been stuffed around a bit at WP
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 154) : read it in the cape times this morning, after I finished crying I decided to write an arti, its up.
@molly (Comment 155) : Nice work Molly
@Puma (Comment 2) : I for one, will not care one bit…actually that’s not completely true. I care very much…it would be a shame if he decided to stay.
@try time (Comment 3) : exactly
@Letgo (Comment 157) : You really do have an unhealthy hatred for Kockett for such a sweet person 😀
@Mole (Comment 15) : Anyone else, Cronje and Reinach are both better…or bondisio who is currently contracted with the Leopards, Sarel Pretorius…you name it. Kockett doesn’t understand what it means to be a scrum half.
@Letgo (Comment 160) : You and jackal on the other thread should have a chat….he’s a huge Rory fan.. 😉
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 18) : There’s rumors of him making a move to the Sharks, Allister Coetzee says it’s nonsense, but I’ll take that trade any day if it’s true.
@Pokkel (Comment 161) : Direct me to the thread, I’m ready for jackal!
@Letgo (Comment 163) :
See the Thread that I just posted on the Sharks team to face WP..
@Pokkel (Comment 159) : Not hatred for the player, just love for the team and their well being…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 164) : okay