We all know how much quality depth we currently have, but in some areas we could be in some trouble if we don’t start looking for recruits or new personnel.
The Sharks main target in my opinion needs to be Heinrich Brussow. The Sharks have long been in need of a full on fetcher. The off days when The Sharks pack struggles, also means we struggle to get possession. We don’t really have anyone who will attack every breakdown and try and get that ball back. Bismarck and Deysel are good, but it can distract from their primary roles. Would it not be great to have our players scoring off turnover ball again? Keegan and Botes are both not true fetchers and I feel if we want to be the best we need a Brussow type player in the mix. The closest player in our system to Brussow is Francois “Franna” Kleinhans; but I feel he still needs a couple more years of senior rugby, before he can be considered a Sharks starter.
I am going to talk about lock now. We have Mostert, Bresler, Hargreaves and Skeate. We know Sykes will be leaving. We need to maintain at least four top class locks in our squad at all times. Skeate got a year and a bit left on his contract; if he leaves we only have 3. I feel we need to already start looking outside because i am also not convinced yet that the Marais brothers can make the step up, we will have to wait and see. I feel Francois Uys from the Cheetahs is a good option to look at.
In the backs the main concern is centre. We have signed Marius Joubert, which I feel will help give us some defensive stability and add some experience. This will also give a youngster like Paul Jordaan around 2 years to develop before we throw him into Super Rugby. The Sharks have tried for Robert Ebersohn before, I think it is also worth trying again to bring him to Durban. I had my doubts at first, but he seems to be settling into senior rugby well these days and putting in some very solid performances. His tackling technique is also very strong. Another youngster I think could also add some much needed X-factor to our midfield is Johann Sadie, playing for Stormers this weekend on the wing. I feel he could be a great signing. Just use the argument that he is behind JDV, Fourie and De Jongh. If we are ever going to sign him, now is the time; he has the potential to become a Springbok centre in the future.
At fullback we have Ludik and Ndungane can also play there (Stef retired). Lambie can also play 15, but don’t think he should be used at 15 unless he is the last and only option. He should only play 10 in my opinion. After the guys I have mentioned we don’t really have any clear young favourite; someone needs to put their hand up or we should start looking outside the structures for some backup.
A player we don’t need now, but who I always thought would fit in very well at the Sharks is Brian Mujati. Just putting that out there.
I hope the Sharks can strengthen these areas in the next year or so, this great rugby union deserves silverware every year and we need to make sure we have the personnel to do so on a consistent basis. C’Mon Sharks!
Sharks Forever
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Juan de Jong @ centre with kanko and Brussouw @ flankan and a Paul O,Connel type lock..
For how long are the DUP brother still on contract?
I like Francois Uys, he is a fantastic guy but he is not the answer to our lock problems. After being messed around by the Lions management he really values game time and he would not get that at the Sharks. We have the Marais brothers also coming through the ranks and also Kene Okafor if he has not moved on.
I don’t think it will be as easy to get De Jongh and Brussow as some people think. I also don’t think a fetcher can make any difference behind a pack as comprehensively beaten as what was the case last Saturday.
@war1 (Comment 4) :
Where would a fetcher fit into our current mass of loose forwards anyway?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) :
We have Keegan, Deysel, Alberts, Kanko currently.
Then coming through are Marcell Coetzee, Kleynhans, Groenwald, Mtembu, Adonga..
@war1 (Comment 3) : Kene Okafor has gone off to the Lions…Bummer, i liked him. I just don’t feel Marais Brothers have the same quality as the locks we have now, Maybe Adongo can be used as a lock if required in the future. He will be like Courtney Lawes of England.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) : I would rather back Coetzee et al than get Brussow (who would probably demand a huge contract) and stand to lose Coetzee who is the most obvious example.
we had similar discussion a while back and there was a feeling that Bismarck is our fetcher.
@war1 (Comment 8) :
Why have an academy pumping out all these players if we keep looking to bring in players from other unions?
All it does is hinder the morale in the lower ranks..
Anyone?
Bismarck and Jannie’s contracts, when does it expire?
@JJR (Comment 7) : Skeate is still there as well, he hasn’t gone anywhere yet.
My reason for wanting Brussouw is that we don’t have a fetcher, and until we do we will never know how much it could or couldn’t have helped us.
We are well sorted at 7 and 8 for the Future if we can retain all that Talent. I don’t think Mthembu and Groenewald will make the grade though.
Main group for 7 and 8-
Deysel, Alberts, Adongo, Kankowski and Coetzee. Franna is playing 8 this weekend, maybe he can play well there too, we know how good he is at 6.
I would welcome Brussouw with open arms every day of the week!
@Morné (Comment 11) : Didn’t they re-sign at the end of 2010? 2013 maybe but I’m not sure.
@war1 (Comment 12) : Don’t rate him very highly; does not do enough work around the park.
Coetzee is not a fetcher. I am focussing that we don’t have a full on “that is my main job” fetcher.
Eg. Stormers have Flouw, Bulls have Stegmann, Crusaders have Ritchie.
@JJR (Comment 7) : Wow, I can vaguely remember something like that. He didn’t even make their Vodacom cup side though, unless he is injured.
@war1 (Comment 17) : Only joined them a week ago.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) : I prefer the build model to the buy model.
@JJR (Comment 18) : Where did you find that out? could prove to be an excellent signing.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) : Yes, we have some good talent; but in some cases the talent in certain positions is not strong enough. We have lots of talent for loosies, front rowers and wings.
Sometimes we have to look outside if we want to have the best personnel.
@JJR (Comment 21) : I don’t think we need any players at the moment to be honest and I don’t think we’ll get many if any.
@war1 (Comment 22) : Your probably right, but i still think we need a proper fetcher. Hopefully Franna gets a run in the Currie Cup.
@war1 (Comment 20) : Facebook.
@ JJR, dude what are you smoking? Brian Mujati ??? The best thing that ever happened to the Screamers was for him to leave.
At outside centre,I still hope the rumours of the sharks looking to sign ronnie cooke is true.would be an excellent acquisition.
Beet has been writing since I don’t know when ,that sharks should sign johann sadie.trust beet’s ability to spot talented young players ( would be nice if he could be given the sharks cheque book to sign shools’ rugby players).
@lock,I actually think wilhelm steenkamp wouldve been a better signing than skeate .
Heinrich brussow is a must.
@tighthead,let’s see how the youngsters go.like robdylan has said,there quite a few in sharks system.
@beet: any good scrummies you know of @schoolsrugby?
Where in the world is johan schoombee?? 2,06m and 125kg [email protected]:any idea??
Isn’t that the type of physique sharks should be looking to invest in??
Is it true ’bout kene okafor??signed with lions??
We need to get Sardie and Sarel to KZN asap..
@greatsharksays:we also need to give beet the sharks cheque book and let him go sign some youngsters!