The twitterverse, blogosphere and any other made-up name for a bunch of people swapping rumours online is abuzz. Ruan Pienaar, it seems, was at Sharks practice yesterday. What on earth could this mean?
To be blunt, my take is…not much. The Northern Hemisphere season is over and Ruan would appear to be back in Durban on holiday. According to a typically crytptic on-statement from Rudolf Straeuli (who seemed to take great pleasure in making Jan de Koning think he had a story while actually saying nothing), Ruan was just visiting yesterday and while the Sharks remain completely open to getting him back at some stage, nothing further can be said right now.
Let’s look at the facts here (we love to forget facts when a good rumour gets going). Ruan Pienaar is committed to Ulster until the end of next year’s Northern Hemisphere season. They are paying him a lot of money and he is delivering great value, as their season MVP. They are certainly not about to let him go and play for any other side without massive financial compensation – this is indicated by the fact that the Stormers recently ruled out a loan move for him as “too pricey”. Add to that the fact that the Sharks just yesterday announced the signing of Fred Michalak, who himself isn’t cheap and the answer becomes quite simple.
There is no way that the Sharks are financially in the position to do anything regarding Pienaar right now. There does, however, seem to be a strong possibility that he may return to Durban in a year’s time. That, however, is hardly news, since the player himself confirmed that as his intention when he left a year ago.
Not too much going on here, in other words. Nice to have Ruan back in Durbs and lets hope the Sharks are continuing to talk to him about a return next year. Buying him out of his contract now, though, is neither sensible nor feasible for the Sharks, which I’m sure Straeuli knows, even though he’s not saying so out loud.
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I like the news,Pienaar is a no no for me.
I suppose that they are also trying to keep a positive relationship with Ruan. There is no doubt that he is the kind of player you want in your setup and keep away from another. But lets hope he comes back sooner rather than later.
The air of expectation is palpable. If he does come The NRU/ Sharks will have to come up with a huge wad of cash for insurance I am sure that Ulster would insist on it.
Sport24 reports that he was only there as a spectator. Would make sense as he has a lot of close friends at the union.
Hmmm Ulster and Racing said that Ruan and Frans need a 4week break from all rugby ? Now in 4weeks time if all goes well we will be in the play offs? I can understand the Sharks thinking here if they are trying to get hold of him as per what Bismarck said. PDV wants them to play super rugby. . . The only snag is the insurance.
Unless his contract allows him to play whilst on a break. Bradley Barrit’s contract allowed him to play for us a few years ago. Obviously we won’t be able to buy him out of contract.
@Mocho (Comment 5) : PDV likes to say shit without actually thinking first.
It’s not actually in Ulster’s (or Pienaar’s) interests for him to do anything other than rest right now. I think Ulster intentionally named a ludicrous sum to make the Stormers lose interest.
Ulster’s website has some info as to when the players are back after the break etc. They reckon Pienaar will only be back after RWC.
man’s holidaying and he probably thought he would get some fun watching the Sharks sweat 😆
@robdylan (Comment 7) : yeah it wouldn’t. Anyway what’s the use? I wouldn’t mind seeing F steyn back in the play offs though.
@Mocho (Comment 10) : What’s the use meaning we got freddie. His a similar sort of player to pienaar.
Thanx for clearing this up Rob.
I was worried there for a minute!
@Original Pierre (Comment 12) : were you consulting your account whether you can afford to send him another one – way ticket
well he just can’t be on holiday and not make a turn at sharks tank he is missing the Sharks to much to stay away
home town
John Walland on Jacaranda this morning believes he is to play for Sharks before 3N. But I do not find him to be the most reliable of sources these days.
@catfish (Comment 15) : no. Lovely guy, but gullible as the day is long and prone to getting to stick the wrong way round 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Your typical everyday Lions supporter. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 16) : how does he get caught by whackhead Simpson every year?? This guy is so gullible! Did you hear the one where whackhead calls him as PDV?
@Mocho (Comment 18) : Rob despises Whackhead.
@Ben (Comment 19) : Why? I think he is pretty funny and quite creative in some of his pranks.
@Mocho (Comment 20) : Better to let him tell you why. I’m also a big fan of Whackie, I think he’s hilarious.