While the overall Vodacom Super Rugby competition was launched at a glittering function at Vodaworld in Midrand on Tuesday, various regional launches took place around the country on the same day. Durban was no exception, with a number of Sharks players – together with coach John Plumtree – providing their thoughts on the competition at Mr Price Kings Park.
The Sharks were represented at the Vodaworld function by injured lock Ross Skeate, who certainly proved a most eloquent spokesman! The big man, who quipped that his injured finger had led team mates to re-christen him “Wikus van der Merwe”, after the character in the film “District 9”, confirmed that he would be an unlikely starter for the Sharks against the Cheetahs, but was hoping to be fit in time for the second game against the Blues. He admitted to a bit of frustration, having missed the bulk of the Currie Cup campaign through a groin injury, adding that he was very ambitious when it came to his career goals.
The Durban launch featured a far larger Sharks contingent, as expected, with captain John Smit joining the coach, along with Craig Burden, Jean Deysel, Odwa Ndungnane, JP Pietersen and Keegan Daniel. All present confirmed the sense of excitement and anticipation that Super Rugby is again just around the corner. The Sharks, as a team, feel they have put in a lot of hard work in pre-season and are ready to make a serious push for the Vodacom Super Rugby trophy this year.
Speaking to assembled media, Plumtree had the following to say: “This team has been together for a while and morale has never been a problem. Last year we lost the preseason games, got some bad press, but things are a little different and the team is in good nick. We think we can do well overseas and then really get into it when the climate is better in Durban when we return.
“We’re confident about what we can do, perhaps we didn’t experience that in our first preseason game against the Lions but we felt we were much better in the second game.”
Thanks to the official Sharks website for those quotes.
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I’ve recorded the Vodaworld launch, will watch it this weekend. I’m more excited for the season to start than anyone else
Has the Bulls launched their new strip yet? Havent heard or seen anything from them.
@robdylan-Can you take stars away from someone if he is annoying?
@Honey Badger (Comment 3) :
Only if they already have any. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : That would be funny.
‘Your annoying……..BOOM’ one star less.
@Honey Badger (Comment 3) : I CAN do anything I like…. but with such power comes great responsibility 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Classic!
@robdylan (Comment 6) : yip, a great responsibility to SHARKS (only) supporters… 😉 😈
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 2) : I think the only change to our strip is an extra Super Trophy on it
Seriousely, though, not much change to it as far as I know, but then, why change a good thing? 😉
@diablo (Comment 9) : I’m pretty sure that an imprint of by foot will improve it tremendously 😉
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 10) : I believe Jaco van der Westhuyzen’s jersey will have Lwazi Mvovo’s bootprint emblazoned on the chest… 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Spoken like a true Jedi Master.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : So does that mean that Schalk’s jersey has Pat’s paw print on it at the neckline?
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 13) : WOOOO! I got my first star!!! (Trumpets blazing, angels singing and apocolites grovelling)
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 15) :
Congrats Sharon ….welcome aboard ! 😉
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 14) : Yes he does, apparently he is still having nightmares 😉 😛
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 15) : Or even acolytes! That’s how stoked I am!
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 17) : Ag shame. Gotta feel for the guy! Must be hard being on the receiving end of what has to be one of the greatest hand-offs in rugby history!
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 15) :
What’s an apocolite?
@Big Fish (Comment 20) : Its a cross between the apocalypse and an acolyte and happens when World of Warcraft meets an over excited Sharks fan who just got her first star on sharksworld.
@Big Fish (Comment 20) : So, the Uruk-Hai of sharksworld?