According to reports, all is again well in the Sharks camp, with the gritty, yet important, win against the Waratahs doing much to revive flagging spirits and ease a little of the pressure brought on by the horrible loss against the Bulls. That performance saw the Sharks suddenly drop out of play-off contention for the first time this season, but their destiny is firmly back in their own hands again now.
John Plumtree has indicated that he’s anticipating a very physically intense conclusion to the league phases of the competition, with the Sharks now facing three away derby games against the Cheetahs, Lions and Bulls. With that in mind, the loss of Jean Deysel for the first two of those games (due to suspension) is far from ideal, but that blow will be lessened somewhat by the return to fitness of Ryan Kankowski.
All-in-all, the Sharks are not looking too bad, injury-wise, with only Odwa Ndungane, Jannie du Plessis and Conrad Hoffmann definitely ruled out for this week and the next. Du Plessis may even come back into the frame in time for the Bulls game, along with Deysel, but Ndungane and particularly Hoffmann will be out for longer. The addition of Fred Michalak to the squad offsets the loss of the former WP scrumhalf, though, leaving the Sharks coaches with plenty of options.
Enforced changes against the Cheetahs this wek will naturally, then, come at blindside flank and scrumhalf. Expect Willem Alberts to come straight in for Deysel, with Charl McLeod taking over from Hoffmann. The coaches will need to think long and hard about the choices they make in other areas as well, though, starting with the front row.
Let’s get the hot potato out of the way first. I would seriously consider starting John Smit at hooker this week, with Beast Mtawarira coming in at loosehead and Bismarck du Plessis playing off the bench. The Cheetahs have a very good front row, but if the Sharks pick their strongest scrummaging unit, they can nullify those men, with the stronger-scrumming Smit putting additional pressure on Coenie Oosthuizen at scrum time, hopefully limiting his impact in open play. The loose forward selection should be pretty straight forward, with either Keegan Daniel or Kankowski starting at 8, with the other coming off the bench. I’d be tempted to stick with Keegan since he’s match fit and in pretty good nick at the moment, with Hoff being eased back into things later.
The only unforced change I would contemplate amongst the backs this week is to reintroduce Riaan Swanepoel at inside centre. Meyer Bosman has had an extended run in the position and has really struggled on defence at time – an issue which has led to a fair few tries being scored against the Sharks. For all Swannie’s failings, the one area where he has never been found wanting is defending his midfield channel and having watched him over the last few months, I feel he’s a different player to the one who struggled in Super 14 last year. He hasn’t had a starting opportunity in almost a year and I feel it’s time to have another look at him, particularly outside a good flyhalf like Lambie. There’s a strong temptation to throw Adi Jacobs in at 13 as well, but given that he’s also coming back from injury, maybe putting him on the bench and letting Stefan Terblanche and Swannie form a “wall of steel” in midfield isn’t a bad idea.
Here, then, would be my 22 to face the Cheetahs this weekend:
15 Ludik, 14 Pietersen, 13 Terblanche, 12 Swanepoel, 11 Mvovo, 10 Lambie, 9 McCleod, 8 Daniel, 7 Alberts, 6 Botes, 5 Hargreaves, 4 Sykes, 3 van Staden, 2 Smit (capt), 1 Mtawarira
16 B du Plessis, 17 Herbst, 18 Mostert, 19 Kankowski, 20 Michalak, 21 Potgieter 22 Jacobs
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“wall of steel” – hehehe..
Rob, would you not consider starting with Mostert?
I like Swannie in there, but we need to get the message to him that he has to get the ball to red-hot JPP on the wing, and not bash it up like we all know he can..
I’d start Mossie in this one Rob, only change I would make to your team.
So girls who would u prefer? Lambie or Freddie? Haha jj
I like your team Rob!
Wall of Steel !! hehehehe
@Mocho (Comment 5) : STOP! Naughty Mocho. Get back in your box. 👿
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : nah – cos according to the reports I’ve read, Sykes was a lot better last week.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 7) : you said box. eh he he he
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
The lineouts did go well..
But we could do with Mostert to ease the workload of Alberts in the loose.. and with Deysel not there..
But hear you..
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 7) : but they told me to think outside the box 😛
@robdylan (Comment 9) : rob, any idea when Stef will retire? and when he does, should hargreaves take over the captaincy?
@robdylan (Comment 9) : heheheh… 😆 Very funny boss! 😛
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) : you want Mossie at 4 or 5?
I’ll pick the same team, maybe give Mostert a start and maybe even JLP instead of Bosman.
@VanWilder (Comment 12) : I no longer believe Stef will ever retire. It is my contention that long after he is dead, the Sharks will be rolling out a lifesize effigy of him to stand in the number 13 channel.
By the time Stef retires, Alistair will be too old to captain the side. Few tight forwards play on past 40.
@robdylan (Comment 14) : at 5
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 15) : where do you see Bosman in my team?
@robdylan (Comment 18) : I’m just saying 😛
I will go mad if i see that centre Combo…really…Stef can’t even tackle anymore…also there is no creativity in that combo. Swannie tackles well…but does not really offer much else at Superugby level and well Stef…never ever even had the skill set and qualities to be a good Centre.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 19) : Unfortunately I think Plum would pick Bosman again.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 17) : don’t reckon you drop Ali… Mossie and Sykes as a combo lacks finesse, IMO
@JJR (Comment 20) : who would your centres be for this weekend?
I mean, a combo that you think there is a greater than 5% chance of Plum actually picking (i.e. not Paul Jordaan and Michael Jackson)
Bosman needs an outside that can read his game; i mean Bosman is always looking to get his hands through the tackle and offload, but Stef just stands still like a deer in the headlights. Joubert should help this situation as for Clermont he was a very good support runner and ran good angles, which will help Bosman, cos seriously Stef does not provide many options in terms of running lines, etc.
I see SS has an article basically say that Marius Joubert only want to join the Sharks in time for the Currie Cup and not during SupeRugby.
@robdylan (Comment 23) : I would keep Bosman at 12 and if Jacobs is fit play him at 13. If Freddy had been with us longer i would go for a 10.Fred 12.Patty 13.Jacobs. But when Joubert arrives and settles in i would go for a 9.Freddy 10.Lambie 12.Joubert 13.Jacobs. I think that would work quite well for The Sharks.
@JJR (Comment 26) : has Marius Joubert ever played 12? I remember him playing 13 and wing, but never 12…
@robdylan (Comment 22) : Maybe, but it might increase the scrumming strenght.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 25) : AAAHHH Dammit; that sucks!!! I thought joubert would join us as soon as his commitments in France were done.
@robdylan (Comment 27) : I remember watching him a play a game for Clermont at 12 a while back. As long as he stands at 12 for Defence…i also watched a few of his Clermont games and his distribution and creativity is solid; so i think he could be just as good at 12.
Sounds like Plum will only call on him if we have another injury at Centre…not going to say the whole name, but maybe not a bad thing if S… ………e gets injured. I sound like a terrible person don’t I; but the rugby this bloke is playing is seriously useless and not what we expect from a Sharks player.
@JJR (Comment 31) : that guy is so superbly conditioned that he doesn’t get injured.
@robdylan (Comment 16) : yip, valid point… maybe Ali will stick around like Johan Ackerman… 😐
I’m glad I don’t see any comments for Bissie to start ahead of Smit.
Bissie doesn’t lead the turnovers for nothing.
Most Turnovers
1. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks) 38
1. Keven Mealamu (Blues) 38
3. Ged Robinson (Rebels) 35
4. Corey Flynn (Crusaders) 34
4. Deon Fourie (Stormers) 34
6. Quade Cooper (Reds) 32
6. Rene Ranger (Blues) 32
8. Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs) 31
9. Hikawera Elliot (Chiefs) 29
10. Charl Mcleod (Sharks) 28
10. Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs) 28
I have confirmed with the owners of these stats that skews throws or missed jumpers counts towards these stats. and they are for turn overs GIVEN AWAY not won.
@robdylan (Comment 14) :
Mossie at 4, Harg’s has been good
@robdylan (Comment 32) : Yes, he is awesomely conditioned (Every Pro Rugga player should be), probably the only thing i like about him; a guy who is conditioned like Stef shows commitment and shows the True Professional attitude he has; it has given him some xtra years of playing time; but i feel he needs to retire shortly and limit the damage he has caused to his Rep. so far this season.
Was watching the way Stef takes contact the last few weeks…very difficult to get a bad injury the way he takes contact. Eg he does not lead with the shoulder…which is quite sad to be honest because his shoulders are quite Big and maybe he would gain some more yards. Bit off topic…has Stef ever tried to hand off?? Never seen him even try…once again shows that Stef lacks the Skills to be a top centre.
like the idea of swannie back in the mix. As you said Bosman had his chances 🙄 🙄
@rekinek (Comment 37) : I Agree. The guy was more than good enough last year let’s give him another go this year.
Oh gee the Cheets again 😳
I don’t understand why we need to start John. If we don’t want him to play prop, then he should start of the bench. Unless we feel Bissie should get a rest, which I don’t think he does, but maybe it wouldn’t be the worst to rest him in the Lions game to have him fresh and ready for the Bulls.
This week though, I’d like to see Bissie start.
I think comments has become inceasingly disrespectful to oupa, and I get the frustration, but right now we don’t really have a decent 13 replacement. And Stefan is still playing solid rugby, despite what everyone seems to believe.
I don’t see how people can still be happy with Bosman getting a start, but Stefan has to go. Just because there’s 10 years between them? That’s not a good reason. Bosman has been worse than Stefan. Rob is right, Swannie needs to be given a shot, or even JLP for that matter, maybe then Stefan would look better, anyone ever considered that?
@Letgo (Comment 40) : John gets a lot of flack for what is perceived as him being a weak prop, but he is being let down by Hargreaves who isn’t strong enough in the scrum. Both Beast and John battled when Hargreaves was on the park.
@Letgo (Comment 40) : to me,it’s quite simple. I feel we need to really attack the Cheetahs in the set pieces and John’s set piece at hooker is, I feel, better than Bismarck’s
@Letgo (Comment 41) : I don’t think ayone has been disrespectfull to Stef, he had 1 decent game last week and now you’re singing his praises.
@Letgo (Comment 41) : i am of the same opinion, swannie must start
@Letgo (Comment 41) :
Don’t have a decent 13 replacement??? How about Adi Jacobs, who has played 13 for the Boks?
Maybe not for this game, due to injury, but he has been here all season.
@Big Fish (Comment 46) : 🙄 🙂
@Letgo (Comment 41) :
Adi Jacobs springs to mind.. but that’s just me?!
@Big Fish (Comment 46) :
Sorry, didn’t see that you had already raised the point.. my bad..
@Ben (Comment 44) : Singing his praises? I don’t think I’ve been doing that? I’m just saying, that while we don’t have anyone better to replace him at 13, Adi or even Marius Joubert, we shouldn’t just shove someone in there. He hasn’t done much wrong, he just hasn’t done much right either!
And I know we need a center or two who can do something in the midfield, but right now we don’t have that.
@Letgo (Comment 50) : Adi is a much better 13 than Stef, how can you say we don’t have any one better to replace him with? Okay maybe your not singing his praises but you are defending him blindly.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 48) : Okay then lets play Adi, I’m happy with that!
@Letgo (Comment 52) : 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 43) : That’s at least a good point, but I don’t know that John is definately better at hooker in the scrums, maybe he can help at line-out time, but he’s been known to throw the odd bad line-out throw as well.
I still think Bissie’s value on the field can’t be overlooked. He’s a bog ball carrier, defender and ball steeler person. 😀
@Big Fish (Comment 46) : Even when Adi was ready, I would have preferred him at 12, replacing Bosman and maybe then if Stefan still seemed less than good, then I would have made a couple of adjustments.
I really liked Bosman, until about week 10 with the Sharks, now I feel like we need him out before we do anything else to the team.
Plumtree wont pick Swannie over Bosman as he likes the distribution skills that Bosman has and he is hoping that between Lambie and Bosman they can create something for the outside backs. The problem is that nobody is straightening the line and we just keep shovelling the ball wide. Either Terblanche or Ludick need to straighten the line and this will then create the space out wide that they looking for. I would def have Jacobs and Potgieter on my bench as they can offer a lot when the game loosens up in the 2nd half. I also think the Bissie/Mostert combo will offer more off the bench than say a Smit/Hargreaves combo will.
@Letgo (Comment 40) : Because Bismarck leads the turnovers in Super rugby with the majority of those being because he can’t throw the ball into the lineout.
@SheldonK (Comment 56) : Waving the opposition attackers through the gaps is not the sort of distibution I think Plumtree has in mind. 😛
@Ben (Comment 51) : It’s upsetting to see that the Sharks have a midfield that can’t do much of anything on attack! But…
Fact is Bosman is definitely playing worse than Stefan is, and to be more particular of what I am looking at here, Bosman has been astonishingly week on defence. If you sort that out, then scoring tries becomes a little less of a problem.
Bosman has not looked any better than Stefan on attack. In fact, specifically in the last game, he received great ball from Lambie and did nothing with it. He doesn’t straighten the line enough for an inside center and runs into the space of his outside backs. His passing, which used to be one of his strong suites, has looked increasingly weak this season, with specific reference to the Brumbies game where the Sharks had quite a few overlaps and certain tries botch by Bosman.
Adi Jacobs has looked good at 12 this year, Swannie is a decent 12 with solid defence, JLP must be itching to proof that he can do something next to Lambie.
Stefan has not only been great for the Sharks over well over 100 game, because at some point that has to be overlooked, but has also been a solid, albeit a bit boring player in the backline. He makes his takles diligently, although as his centre partner has looked pretty weak I guess he should shoulder some of the blame for this midfield weakness, although he has not been bad as an individual tackler. His passing has been surprisingly good this season, if anyone cared to notice that and although he does not make very many breaks, I can bet anyone here that he has made a few good meters for his team. His error rate, in a team that has been strewn with them, is low.
Thus the call from my side to make the change at 12, and see what happens there, before making the change at 13.
@Letgo (Comment 59) : i’m frustrated with both Stef and Bosman equally. I agree that Stef played better than Bosman, but this says little because one would expect far more from the seasoned Sharks player and the vice captain. Plus it’s not like Bosman is setting a benchmark isn’t it.
@Letgo (Comment 59) : but I agree let’s see first what happens with the change of 12 – if Plum lets us see that.
@SheldonK (Comment 56) : I’m sorry, but the Sharks has been almost just as bad at line-out time with John starting as they have been with Bissie. I could go and check the stats if you want. John must have started about 3 games at hooker this year. How did our line-outs look during those games?
@Letgo (Comment 59) : Your making Stef out to be something he is not. He hasn’t had such a SOLID season as you suggest. Bosman did pretty well for at least the 1st 8 rounds, that to me shows he can do it but at the moment he is way off his game. Stef has been consistently below par the whole season and his error rate is not at all as low as you suggest.
Yes Bosman is a problem but don’t use him to overlook Stef’s weaknesses.
@Letgo (Comment 59) : @Ben (Comment 63) :
Ben is just jealous that at more than 10 years Stef’s junior, Stef is in better condition than him…men and teir ego’s..you know! 😈 😆
@Ice (Comment 64) : Have you seen me without a shirt? 🙂 😉
Okay I have a lot of respect for Stef and I appreciate all he has done at the Sharks. I’m getting tired of repeating myself over and over again with this Stef saga. So that is the end of the debate about Stef from my side. Thank you
@rekinek (Comment 61) : It’s not that I don’t want a better 13, believe me, I’d love to see Jaque Fourie or one of the gazillion promising centers the Stormers are selfishly keeping to themself at 13 for the Sharks. I just don’t feel like we should jump from one almost useless 13 to another while we clearly don’t have much better than Stefan.
And the other thing I have a problem with, Supe Rugby is not the place to experiment. If we’re not sure it’s going to work, then we shouldn’t mess around now.
You’ll see me jumping up and down, just like the rest, if Stefan occupies that 13 slot for the entire CC season. It’s time for us to sort out the midfield issue, otherwise a few Sharks fans are going to go crazy!
@Ben (Comment 66) : Okay 🙂
@Letgo (Comment 68) : 😉
Anybody know who Joe Pietersen has signed for ?
@Letgo (Comment 41) : I agree fully!
Now stop the abuse on Stefan – or you will have to deal with ME! I said a while ago, it depends a lot on the players around you as well – they can make you look like a doffie if they dont perform…
@Speed7 (Comment 70) : I lasr heard he’s playing for Bayonne in France.
@Ice (Comment 71) : Exactly why Bosman is struggling! 🙄
@Ben (Comment 73) : And i say its visa versa
Joe is back. Just don’t know who for. Possibly Stormers.
@Ice (Comment 74) : Wouldn’t have it any other way! 😉
@Letgo (Comment 41) : @Ice (Comment 74) : I agree 100%.
To me it`s clear as daylight Stefan might not be the best center in superrugby but he didn`t suddenly become a bad player.
He`s not the problem at all.
Sure it would be better if we had a more able replacement at 13 so he could move to fullback but our main problem is at 12. Isn`t 12 supposed to be the playmaker?
@Speed7 (Comment 75) : Didn’t hear anything about that.
@Original Pierre (Comment 77) : Halefrickenlua!! 😀
@Ice (Comment 79) : Amen Sista! 😆
@Speed7 (Comment 70) : Match promoter of the Premier XV vs southern Kings Willem Strauss said “We were unlucky in losing someone like Kyle Brown due to injury on the weekend and Pieter Myburg (Leicester) and Joe Pieterson (Bayonne) signed with local Super Rugby sides on Monday”
Wonders which team? Stormers probably?
@Mocho (Comment 81) : Lions? 😈
Maybe they`ll let us have Taute now hehehehe
@Mocho (Comment 81) : Interesting
Bosman vs. Swanepoel: Bosman has shown some neat touches with the ball in the early rounds, but that has fallen away somewhat. Swanepoel has in the past been characterised as being limited on offense (that may have changed, I did not watch the Vodacom Cup), but is rock solid on defense. So, in reductionist terms, the issue here is attack vs. defense.
I’m told that the new iteration of the laws are supposed to favour the attacking teams (although less so than last year, apparently). Which would imply that we should favour the attacking option. However:
1) For much of the season, the Stormers’ play has characterised by the lack of attacking flair and dearth of tries. However, on the basis of a superb defensive display, they have won the majority of their games and rightfully top the SA log (I had to type that last part through gritted teeth).
2) While the Sharks have scored heaps of tries, I don’t recall our current incumbent 12 playing much of a role in many of them.
3) One lapse on defense, close to your line, could easily mean you concede points. An attacking lapse close to the opponent’s line does not necessarily disadvantage you to the same degree; you could still maintain possession and have another bite at the cherry.
So, the old adage of defense winning games seems to still hold true. Enough debate already, give Swannie a chance!!!
@Culling Song (Comment 84) :
I can’t argue with that.
I hope you had fun last night and that you spoiled your wife.
@Culling Song (Comment 84) : Yep, I agree.
@Pokkel (Comment 85) : Heaps of fun, lots of spoiling, sore head this morning
@Culling Song (Comment 87) :
Nice!
@Culling Song (Comment 84) : Good Post!
Forward to Plum!