When the news broke yesterday about Fred Michalak’s ultra-secret return to the Sharks, the general consensus from around the blogosphere seemed to be that this was, indeed, a “good thing”. One or two dissenting voices were raised, of course, but for the most part, Sharks fans seem pretty chuffed that the little French maestro is back.
Looking at this with a critical eye, there is, of course, plenty of good to take from the situation, but also some bad. As with most things in life, nothing is ever completely one or the other. Let’s weigh up the pros and cons of this move and see where we end up.
My information is that the Sharks major motivation for doing this deal so quickly was the injury to Conrad Hoffmann, which effectively left them with only one experienced scrumhalf in the Super Rugby squad. They started looking immediately and Fred, having fallen foul of Pierre Berbizier’s somewhat conservative selection policies, just happened to be immediately available and up for a new challenge. The little Frenchman is not the first name that people would generally consider when thinking of top class 9s, of course, but having worn that jersey at international level in the past, he’s certainly a more-than-capable scrumhalf option. Fact is, finding a guy that can slot straight in at such short notice is always going to be a huge ask and the fact that Fred has been part of the Sharks setup before and knows the systems and most of the other players must have been seen as a huge advantage.
This is not, then, a case of the Sharks bringing in yet another big-name foreign signing who cares little for anything other than his own pocket. Fred Michalak is a Shark through and through and I consider this to be a case of us welcoming one of our own back from the wilderness!
Why, though, did the Sharks not back their own structures in this case? Last year’s under 21 scrumhalves, Ross Cronje and Cobus Reinach, have featured prominently in the Vodacom Cup side and should probably be considered next in line should the Super Rugby side need a new scrumhalf. The writing has been on the wall, though, with the Sharks opting to bring in cover from outside the squad earlier this year – with Tian Meyer penciled in as an unofficial third scrumhalf – rather than ask either Cronje or Reinach to make the step up just yet. I think it’s fair to say that the Sharks have once again failed to play open cards with all parties involved, with Meyer in particular left in the dark as to what his role, if any, would be. If the Sharks truly rate Meyer ahead of Cronje and Reinach, then why was he allowed to leave to join the Pumas two years ago? If they don’t, then why was Cronje not called up to the senior squad earlier this year in Meyer’s place? Surely it makes more sense to use a contracted player than bring in one on loan from somewhere else? Whatever the case, I think the Sharks management needs to sit down with both of their young scrumhalves and explain to them exactly why they don’t consider either of them ready for Super Rugby just yet, but reassure them that there is indeed a plan to get them there in due course.
(At this point, a quote from one of my favourite movies, “The Castle”, comes to mind. “Tell ‘im he’s DREAMIN!”)
Moving back to Fred, though, there are wider implications beyond the three months in which he will be needed as a scrumhalf. Hoffmann will return to play some role in the Currie Cup and with the smart money being on Pat Lambie’s inclusion in the Tri-Nations and possibly World Cup squads, the Sharks are going to be down a backline playmaker. While Jacques-Louis Potgieter is, of course, still very much part of the picture, it would be foolish to go into the Currie Cup with only one established option at flyhalf – what’s more, Michalak’s ability to deputise at inside centre, as well as scrumhalf, increases the options available to the coaching staff tremendously. Let’s be honest here – neither Potgieter nor Meyer Bosman has delivered the goods consistently in Super Rugby this season and having Michalak in the picture to offer an alternative, as well as push both players hard, can only be good for the squad as a whole.
Noses will, I’m sure, be put out of joint – including those clamouring for the inclusion of the likes of Fred Zeilinga and Paul Jordaan despite their youth – but at the end of the day, no player should ever expect a free ride and a combination of experienced older heads together with promising youth is a must in order for a team to be successful. Fred should, in short, add a huge amount of experience to an otherwise young Sharks backline in the 2011 Currie Cup.
I think if I can summarise, though, I’ll raise a point that I made on Twitter yesterday. Fred’s signing is being viewed as a “good thing” mostly because he is an exciting, creative player and the Sharks certainly could do with more of those in their backline. I remain positive about the move and look forward to seeing Fred do some great things in the black and white this year.
Tweet
I’m glad that they brought him in. We need experienced players at this stage of the season.
Welcome Back!
I asked about the youth a few months back and Rob, I think you said most of them seem a season or 2 away from making the big time. Freds 14 month contract could be the bridge between now and then?
Can anyone either confirm or deny that Ruan Pienaar will be joining the Sharks for the immediate future? He apparently trained with the squad yesterday.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 3) : 14 months? Is that confirmed? I haven’t seen a duration mentioned anywhere.
That takes him to the end of Super Rugby 2012
@Ragged (Comment 4) : the only one who can is Rudolf Straeuli and he declined to do either 🙂 Story going p in a few minutes.
@robdylan (Comment 5) : Maybe I saw it here, but could have sworn I saw it on Sport24 or iol too. Ill try find it, if not maybe its bollocks and hes here for the CC only. He doenst exactly have a lot to go back to france for though.
@Ragged (Comment 4) : 😯
What’s so good about Freddy? He’s awesome, that’s what!
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Seems it is not much of a secret now!
if i was a young up-and-coming sharks fly/scrumhalf, i would relish the oppertunity to learn from Freddy. i`m a firm believer in the fact that we should bring in our young guys, but it should be done gradually. lets say JLP get injured in the cc, now Zeilinga gets to play every game. if the pressure gets to him, it could have a negative effect on him.
anyways, i hope Sharks management knows what they are doing. With the rumours flying that Ruan Pienaar could also be back (highly unlikely IMO), then we could lose younger players like Reinach or even hoffman…
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 7) : yip, it was on supersport and sport 24 last night… 14 month contract up until the end of next years s15.
Ragged Bissie was interviewed on ecr this morning and he indicated that the Sharks were trying to get Ruan back and that he was at training yesterday. Don’t know if that helps?
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 13) : Great news too. You can never have too many quality players, but how about a lock or center.
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 13) : thanks for that, but coming from Bissie is perhaps not the best source.
What’s so good about freddy you ask? that he is one of the best play makers in the game and for a backline like the sharks that don’t seem to be very smart on attack he WILL be the injection we need(the passes must just not be knocked on) 😛
Rob-when fred got injured in the super rugby comp that year did he have to comeback to play cc or did he want to earn his money.
@robdylan (Comment 6) : ok can confirm that frddy was brought in for hoffman, thus right now he will be used at 9
@Ragged why do you say that? Surely Bissie would have seen and spoken to Ruan @ training? 😯
@sharks_lover (Comment 17) : thanks mate… is that news, though ? 🙂 We knew that yesterday!
What about this back line.
10 fred
11 mvovo
12 pat
13 adi
14 jp
15 ludik
Just do not know about the defense.
Butch James matured and learnt a lot (in my opinion) playing alongside Gregor Townsend and Tony Brown, and I reckon Fred could have exactly the same role/effect.
Also, the creativity angle mentioned is a big one for me, as the Sharks backline has been seriously lacking in that department, and our coaches don’t seem to have the ability to fix it. Personally, I’m damn sight happier with this signing than that of Marius Joubert.
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 18) : I think the Rudolf and Bissie are both playing a little bit of “media baiting” at the moment
@Ragged (Comment 4) : Now bringing in a proper scrumhalf in the form of Ruan would be a good bet. When last did Freddy play scrumhalf?? This isn’t the time to experiment, it’s the business end of the competition. I’ve always said that I don’t the Plum Rudolph combination because of such things! Hope Ruan isn’t just training with Sharks and that his contract allows him to play Super Rugby. When are we getting Marius?
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 13) : Good enough.
This confirms one thing that I’ve been saying. The Cronje twins are not being seen as good enough for super rugby. I’m ecstatic that Fred is back. Not only will he improve our backline in the creativity department but also the players around him will be able to learn a lot from him.
Ooooh! I’m so naïve 😳
@GreatSharksays (Comment 23) : He cant be worse then charl at the moment.
One gap in Lambie’s development is a skilled 10 that he can learn from. Maybe Freddy can cover that angle. The guy has a lot of experience all over the world.
Apparently Toulouse said that he should play scrum half and the French coach as well. Don’t know where I read that.
@Viking (Comment 28) : yes and not just in Rugby 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 19) : lol rob not news , just confirming what you have said 😉
Superrugby is no place to blood new talent, well not if you have other options and if you`re serious about winning this tournament eventually . . .
If there`s one thing that should really worry the Sharks it is our average performance in superrugby.
I prefer someone experienced like this anyday of the week and twice on saturday afternoon.
Here`s hoping we can hold on to Fred as long as it takes to finally get a result in this competition!
@Original Pierre (Comment 32) : i agree as long as that experienced player has form and is good enough
bosman has been a huge dissapointment to me
@Mocho (Comment 29) : I also read that but fred was not happy with it.
Vivre à la Française
If Freddy was at Toulouse, that would make the legendary Guy Noves his coach, not Pierre Berbizier of Racing. 🙂
Fred est un meneur de jeu créatif. C’est ce qui est si bon de lui!
“The little frog is not the first name”
Doesn’t this frog term verge on a racist comment, and therefore against the rules of this site?
however excited I am about Freddie’s return I do think it may be tricky. He’s not gonna slot straight back in (i mean – new scrummy, new flyhalf, new centres) and will need some time to adjust.
@sharks_lover (Comment 33) : LOL surely you can`t compare Fred to Bosman on any level whatsoever?
how ironic is it?? pienaar left because Kockett kept him out of the 9 jersey and we did not have a flyhalf, so we used pienaar as our 10. NOW, we have a FEW options for flyhalf, but most of our scrumhalfs got injured…
@waje (Comment 38) : surely you jest?
Must I go and remove every comment that has referred to an englishman as a “pom” or an American as a “yank” as well?
I mean, if I’ve offended you in some deep way, then I apologise. Can’t help the feeling that you’re just stirring, though…
@VanWilder (Comment 41) : utter nonsense. Pienaar left cos he was sick and tired of the way he was being treated at Bok level. He has no issues with his treatment at the Sharks
@VanWilder (Comment 41) : i disagree with you 😉
1 – we have one super rugby flyhalf (and some players that need to play some more Vodacom Cup)
2 – i don’t think pienaar left because of the sharks – last year kocky started getting nowhere.
@robdylan (Comment 43) : that’s what he said at least and he was first choice scrummie.
@robdylan (Comment 43) : But yet he is still going to play for the Boks and not for the Sharks. That can’t be why he moved, makes no sense at all?
@robdylan (Comment 42) : I was being serious. Do we know for certain that Fred Michalak doesn’t mind being called a frog? Some Frenchmen take offence to be called Frogs, like some Afrikaaners hate being called Dutchmen, Rock Spiders or Hairy Backs, like some Englishmen hate being called souties or rooi necke and Blacks…. You get my drift. In an article where you do a good job praising him, should you ruin it by calling him a “frog”? I just found the comment a little off colour.
@waje (Comment 47) : fair comment. I’ll change it
@robdylan (Comment 48) : Thanks. The guy served us well in 2008, I would like him to do the same in 2011. Don’t want him irritated before he even takes to the field. You may also want an interview from him one day and he remembers your article and it ruins that opportunity.
@robdylan (Comment 43) : yep absolutely, From Commando Staeuli himself: “Ruan has always indicated that he would like to play for the Sharks again and that he didn’t leave because he was unhappy at the Sharks. It was more about the situation at the national team.”
@Ben (Comment 46) : Rob is correct
Ruan was at the tank yesterday to meet up with his mates , not to train or play for us, he has however indicated before that if and when he returns to SA he would want to play for the Sharks again
Also Ruans leaving was more about going out to gain more experiance and play elswhere for a while, thus he chose of course bigger money and to play outside of SA thus not having to go play at any other SA franchise
@sharks_lover (Comment 51) : I know he didn’t leave the Sharks because he thought they stuffed him around, that’s obvious. What I’m saying is surely you won’t pack your bags and go just because the Boks screw you around. No one forces him to play for the Boks. He went to Ireland for some money and experience.
@robdylan (Comment 48) : You can delete my posts 37 48 and 49 if you want. And no-one will know the phrase ever existed.
Any news on Frans Steyns plans for the future?
Bipolar article this – this Rob character veers from lauding to criticising the Fred purchase.
I think its a real boon getting this experience and talent – Mcleod is our first choice and most experienced 9, but even he has only a handful of CC seasons and 1 Super Rugby season.
“(At this point, a quote from one of my favourite movies, “The Castle”, comes to mind. “Tell ‘im he’s DREAMIN!”)”
Seriously; that’s one of your FAVOURITE quotations??? 😯
Why? 😈
@waje (Comment 53) : No we will – we read it! 😈
Frog. 😈
@Big Fish (Comment 55) : I would say wrong quote from the movie. In this case “Looks like everyones scored a goal” would be more appropriate
@Ice (Comment 56) : If the posts aren’t there, you will ask yourself, “Did I really read it”? And future readers of this piece will definitely not know it was there. For instance Fred might happen on this site while seeing what people are saying about his move, tonight after training. He will be none the wiser. Now stop mentioning it. Rob has enough to delete.
@waje (Comment 59) : i am not delusional! 😆 Perhaps most of our Stormers on here might be halusinating though… 😆
@Big Fish (Comment 55) : Eish old timer, put on your reading glasses! The boss man said it’s a quote from his favourite movie, not his favourite quote… tsk tsk
@Ice (Comment 60) : Why? Wynand Olivier moving down to the Cape? His spiritual home…
@waje (Comment 59) :
Seriously, are you like 14 or something. 🙄
@waje (Comment 59) : I really don’t think Fred is bored enough to get concerned about me using the term “frog”…
But anyway. Let’s keep the peace and move on, shall we?
‘Fred the frog’ could actually work.
Wonder if he’s thought about trademarking & merchandise?
@wpw (Comment 63) : los dit… samblief!
@McLovin (Comment 65) : So if the sharks get Wynand Olivier for the CC they will have the Princess and the frog?
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 67) : Exactly. The headlines write themselves.
@McLovin (Comment 68) : Its just too easy… 😆
On the bright side, at least no-one is calling him a ‘padda’. Now that could possibly be offensive. 😈
😆 😆 😆 😆
@Culling Song (Comment 61) :
😆 😳
I thought it was “Pick on robdylan day”. Was I being a frog?
Quote from rugby 2007 world cup “One man in Marseille was particularly happy that the All Blacks lost. As the final minute wound down on Saturday night, a chubby Englishman watching on the big screens in the old port in Marseille screamed “Go you frog bastards!”
His name, he said, was Gareth, and he had put £800 (R11 200) on an England-France semifinal. On Sunday morning he woke up £26 000 (R370 000) richer. On Sunday morning the All Blacks woke up another World Cup poorer.
“
You okes are funny! 😆
@Big Fish (Comment 55) : dude… I’m trying to write a balanced article that looks at this from both sides…
you prefer me to be reactionary and parochial, do you?
@Big Fish (Comment 72) : it’s that day every day around here… lucky I have broad shoulders 🙂
@wpw (Comment 63) :
For what its worth I also half cringed when I read it, maybe you are’nt as tuned in to some peoples sensitivities as I expected you would be.
@robdylan (Comment 75) : Parochial, is that the word of the week?
@Greg (Comment 78) : yes… good one, isn’t it?
@robdylan (Comment 79) : Not bad! 😆
@Salmonoid (Comment 77) : ok – in hindsight, it wasn’t the brightest move. It’s gone, corrected, etc… what more do we want? Should I post a YouTube video of myself groveling in French and asking Fred to forgive me for something he’s not even aware about (nor, I suspect, would really car about either)?
@robdylan (Comment 81) : not a bad idea. could be some fun 😆
@Greg (Comment 78) : Yes. Last week’s one was “hirsute”.
@wpw (Comment 63) : Close. Age doesn’t matter though. Is it really fair to be calling a new signing names before his first game. Bosman and others have played some games and have earned some harsh things said about them. But how can you expect fans/bloggers to considerate and abide by rules, when the articles flaunt them.
@robdylan (Comment 81) : No you have done well. I don’t know why you are over reacting. You have fixed it and that is all that was needed. Salmonoid was just responding to wpw, as have I.
@robdylan (Comment 81) :
I was not even going to mention it and considered it done and dusted until waje got personally attacked for bringing it to your attention.
@Culling Song (Comment 83) : I feel like such a moron… I’ve always thought it was “hirstute” 🙂
@Salmonoid (Comment 86) : by wes?
Ag come on… we all know wes. He just likes to stir 🙂
@Culling Song (Comment 83) : Is that clothing for a cross dresser? 😆
So when will the frog be making his debut?
Will it be against the clutchplates in Bloem or the the dutchmen at Loftus? 😈
@robdylan (Comment 75) :
Sorry man – I’m just used to you being reactionary and parochial.
@McLovin (Comment 90) :
You are gonna cause tears here… Please do go on. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 90) :
Hahahahaha!!!
@McLovin (Comment 90) :
@Big Fish (Comment 92) :
Never mind the beancounter dutchman writing some articles on here…
@Greg (Comment 89) : You sir will kick ass at Balderdash!
@Big Fish (Comment 92) :
Can I now start in the same vein with blacks, coloureds, whittes and Indians. Im just waiting for your go ahead. 😈
@Culling Song (Comment 95) : I love that game!
@robdylan (Comment 97) : I used to live in a digs called The Breakfast Club that was something of a legend in it’s own lunchtime… we used to play Balderdash while heavily under the influence, made for some really good laughs. At least, I think it did. I can’t really remember…
@McLovin (Comment 90) : @Big Fish (Comment 92) : @Salmonoid (Comment 96) :
Ok, everyone has made their point and it’s now just about ceased to be funny.
Consider this one over, please. Official and final warning.
@McLovin (Comment 90) :
Thank goodness ole Padda won’t face the poofters from CT. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 99) : Trust a soutie to spoil the fun. 😈 😉
@robdylan (Comment 99) : Why does everyone else get a chance to be offensive and not me. Its not fair. 😛
@Salmonoid (Comment 102) : give me your address and I’ll DHL a tissue.
@Salmonoid (Comment 102) : The “Mike Rhodes Banned For 6 Weeks” thread is the official thread for whinging, please take it over there…
@robdylan (Comment 99) :
What I done?
@Salmonoid (Comment 102) :
And I didn’t even get a chance to respond to you… Tragic.
@McLovin (Comment 101) : where’s the “glare” button?
@Culling Song (Comment 104) : LOL… ok, dammit… stop now ladies! 👿
Well I like Freddy. Even if he is French.
@robdylan (Comment 103) : Why are you attacking Salmonoid now? 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 103) :
Who are DHL, rather send by TNT.
You okes are relentless. 🙄 I remember Agincourt… 😛
@robdylan (Comment 107) : Deep breath… Broad shoulders… Slings and arrows and all that stuff… Pitbulls on parade!
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 108) : So what? Ilike Freddy even though he is man 😆
@Ben (Comment 109) : Im a soft target around here, iyts a xenophobia thing.
@Salmonoid (Comment 114) : At least I came to your defence. 🙂
@Big Fish (Comment 105) : Tell me what your answer would have been and Ill tell you what my posts would have been.
@Ragged (Comment 113) : I also loved Freddie Mercury, but he wasn’t French.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 108) : Havent met a lady on this site that doesnt like Freddy.
@Ben (Comment 115) : On more than one occassion, you da man Ben. 😉
@Culling Song (Comment 104) : Im tired of talking to myself over there, even Molly doesnt want to play anymore.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 117) : here’s a few french. 🙂
Just to get the ladies all excited about the man all over again. 🙂
@Salmonoid (Comment 119) : 🙂
@Salmonoid (Comment 118) : I don’t like him because he’s French, I like him in spite of his being French. Subtle difference.
He’s most definitely NOT my type physically…! 😆
@Salmonoid (Comment 119) : @Ben (Comment 122) : Get a room. 😈 😉
@Culling Song (Comment 98) :
‘The Breakfast Club’ a legendary place….good times that…..well the bits I remember!!
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 123) : And a bit old for me! 😆
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 123) : You like ’em fat and hairy?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 121) : 😳
OOPS okay HERE
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2011/01/12/the-french-have-done-it-again-ladies-pay-attention/
@McLovin (Comment 124) :
@McLovin (Comment 127) : Nope. Try again!
😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 128) :
I’m not falling for that one again!
The first time was enough of a shock.
this thread is going from bad to worse
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 130) : Skinny and hairy?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 131) :
Couldn’t you just post the link, DAMMIT!! 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 131) : dammit Andre… I’m going to start getting emails again 🙄
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 130) : That rules me out. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 131) : Ahh. The quintessential gay calendar rears its head again!
@robdylan (Comment 136) : I promise I won’t send you any or do it again. 😳
@McLovin (Comment 134) : Nope. Again?
OkaY i have one question about that pic.
Is the tatoo real?
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 123) : He’s deffo my type physically – and I will even look past his old age this time!! 😆
My My how I missed THIS picture!!! 😉
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 140) : Short and bald?
@robdylan (Comment 136) : Well at least I’ve diverted attention away from small amphibians! 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 137) :
I think SPECIES rules you out. 😈
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 140) : Give us a clue. 🙂
Not too fat & not too skinny, with hair in all the right places & hung like a horse?
@Ice (Comment 142) : His like 29 years old?? How old is old for you 😉
OH MY WORD!!!!!!!!!! I’ve just read some of the earlier comments.
Sorry I added to your woes Rob. 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 143) : OK. Clues: Think Russell Crowe in his peak physical condition (Gladiator) with his hair naturally curly at medium length (State of Play), Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall, A River Runs Through It and Meet Joe Black (baby-faced, perky and gorgeous) and see if you can combine the two.
@Big Fish (Comment 145) :
😛
are you saying she like frogs? 😛
@Ice (Comment 142) : My heart belongs to other, fairer abs!
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 149) : You need someone who can use photoshop to overlay 16 different men before you can get what you want. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 131) : !!! 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 150) : You really are a reprobate! 😆
sigh… I’m going to have to write a rugby article, aren’t I?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 152) : Nope. I am staring at a picture of one person with all of the prerequisite accoutrements right now!
Don’t know if he can knock out a killer guitar break though! 😆
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 149) : luke watson ?? Hehehe
@robdylan (Comment 155) : I think you need to write this one off! It’s gone, baby, gone! 😆
@Mocho (Comment 157) : OMG. Are you Megatron in disguise? Hell would freeze over and he’s FAR too old for me! 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 131) :
Thanx for the overshare KSA..
@robdylan (Comment 155) :
Every now and again a thread goes for a ball of snot…..and this would be one of those occasions.
I remember a thread with more than 500 comments where Klempie was heavily involved in and while Rob was away. 😈 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 150) : New word of the week – “conniptions”. If you wonder about the meaning, Rob is about to have them…
@Letgo (Comment 153) : that’s not a happy smiley, is it? Should I fire up my email client so long? 😳
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 154) : I try. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 163) :
I think diablo was also not impressed the last time. 😀
@robdylan (Comment 155) : I don’t think it will work. I was wondering why only one article got comments and then I started to browse through these comments.
@Culling Song (Comment 162) : Hysteria, indeed. I’ve already devolved into my fit! 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 161) : the only thing that is preventing this one from degrading into full scale chaos in the fact the Klempie isn’t around.
Oh – megatron too.
Why not add bryce just for good measure?
@Letgo (Comment 166) : Normal service will be resumed as soon as everyone gets bored!
@robdylan (Comment 168) : Maybe you should post a “Sharks contract Jorrie Muller as backline coach” thread to distract everyone.
@robdylan (Comment 168) :
and my good friend Try Time!
@Mocho (Comment 147) : 25ish ? perhaps younger…?
@Culling Song (Comment 162) : I’m still trying to figure out reprobate 😆
@robdylan (Comment 168) :
Is that an open invitation?
Don’t put in a facade Rob, you know you love the chaos
@Culling Song (Comment 170) :
or ‘Beast, Smit and van Staden injured in freak accident.Sharks get Eddie Andrews as cover.
Thanks for sharing you thoughts with us KSA. 🙂 😉
@Ice (Comment 172) : Yup. Now that’s more like it! 😆 😛
@Letgo (Comment 166) : 🙂
@Ben (Comment 176) : KSA loves sharing his thoughts.
@Ben (Comment 176) : Which thoughts exactly are you refering to? 🙂
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 169) : I think the problem is that everyone was bored already. You can’t spend this much time on something this frivolous and not be bored to start of with. 🙂
I thought your article was way more interesting than this one.
@Culling Song (Comment 162) : I know that one. It’s a disease that inflicts the front part of the lower leg! 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 175) : Or Earl Rose, sniff! 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 180) : Comment 131. 🙂
@Letgo (Comment 181) : Thanks. Me too! 😀
@Pokkel (Comment 171) : Have you noticed he changed his name on the user Stats? 😆
@Letgo (Comment 181) : 10% of all the comments that have ever been posted on here are about rugby. The other 90% is when we start talking shite like now! 😉
OK. I’m bored now. Who’s got a naked picture of Andries Bekker? 😆
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 185) : You wrote an article?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 186) :
I did…….
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 188) : gimme a sec.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 188) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 189) :
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 188) :
Eish!!!!
or the PDV photos in the parking lot? 😯
@Pokkel (Comment 175) : Now you’re going dark places… Still mulling over some positions, but here’s my first take at the most over-rated Springbok team, ever!
1: CJ van der Linde
2:
3: Eddie Andrews
4:
5:
6: Deon Stegman
7:
8: Pierre Spies
9:
10: Wacko vd Westhuizen/Earl Rose
11: Dean Hall
12:
13: Jorrie Muller
14:
15: Zane Kirchner
@Culling Song (Comment 194) :
Trying to change the subject???
Not sure Sharon and Ice will allow it.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 191) : ONLY the link will do fine this time. Thank you. 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 193) : PdV was with Bekker in the parking lot???????????????????? 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯 😯
@Pokkel (Comment 195) : We’re so far off topic already we might as well be discussing the cuisine of southern India…
@Culling Song (Comment 194) : 14 – Ashwin Willemse
@Culling Song (Comment 194) :
Let me think about it
@Culling Song (Comment 194) : My additions:
1: CJ van der Linde
2: Gary Botha / Tiaan Liebenberg (did he make the boks)
3: Eddie Andrews
4:
5:
6: Deon Stegman
7:
8: Pierre Spies
9:
10: Wacko vd Westhuizen/Earl Rose
11: Dean Hall
12: marius Joubert
13: Jorrie Muller
14:
15: Zane Kirchner
@robdylan (Comment 168) : what is quite concerning is Andre’s enjoyment of Freds naked pic’s???
😯 🙄 awnty KSA must be gettin worried
😆
@Culling Song (Comment 198) : Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken) Is the best chicken dish in the world.
@Ben (Comment 199) : Depends. before his run with injuries, I actually thought he was pretty good. Post-injury though, I’d be inclined to agree.
@sharks_lover (Comment 202) : She’s busy cleaning up the drool 🙂
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 188) : 😯 eish girl , you surely have better taste then that??? 😯 😯 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 203) : Nope, KFC is. 😉
@Culling Song (Comment 194) :
2 Henry Tromp
3 could also be Ettienne Fynn
@KSA Shark © (Comment 203) : If the butter chicken I had in Bikaner is anything to go by, I’ll say “hell yeah!”
@Culling Song (Comment 204) : Definitely post injury.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 197) :
Bloody hell Oubaas maar jou koppie raas! 😯
@Ben (Comment 199) :
Ashwin Willemse was POTY in 2003. No way you can add him to that list.
How about Dan Van Zyl at 9??
Wessel Roux, Russell Bennett at 15?
Theo Oosthuizen at wing
Robbie Brink at 7
Dale Sandton at 2
9. Dave von Hoesslin
@Culling Song (Comment 209) :
2 Could also be Dale Sandton….definitely Dale Sandton
@Pokkel (Comment 208) : Henry Tromp is a shoo-in, but Ettiene Fynn, while also magnificent in his mediocrity, cannot hold a candle to Mr. Andrews…
This is way off any topic but does anyone remember Glen Osbourne and those faces he used to make? That picture just jumped into my head! 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 201) :
6. Luke Watson 😈
Some interesting choices there.
Now imagine them all naked. 😈
@Culling Song (Comment 215) : You are going to incur the wrath of WPW with that comment. 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 217) : 😯
@Pokkel (Comment 217) : FLIP!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How could I forget that???????????/
@wpw (Comment 212) : You’re right, Dale Sandton kicks Henry Tromps ass… or rather, he totally doesn’t.
@Pokkel (Comment 211) : 😛
@Pokkel (Comment 217) : Disagree. Seperate Watson’s persona from his on-field abilities, and he’s actually pretty good. Waaaaaayyyyyy better than Deon Stegman. And no, Megatron is not holding my family hostage and making me say things.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 201) :
Marius Joubert scored a hat trick against the AB’s….I sure we can do better than him.
@sharks_lover (Comment 206) : It WAS A JOKE! The thought of Andries Bekker naked is almost nauseating, but certainly one for changing the subject!!! 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 225) : You have a point, I’m thinking of his latter form. 😳
@Culling Song (Comment 224) :
Worst 10 ever….while playing at 10…..Fransie Steyn
Gafie du toit!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 213) : I’ll second that!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 227) : Also, Marius Joubert was a 13. No ways will he unseat Jorrie.
FOR THE RECORD: I do not think Andries Bekker is hot. Don’t take me so serial! 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 227) :
Wayne Julies at 12 ??
What about the 2 Supersport hookers?
@Pokkel (Comment 228) : I’m with you all the way on that one!
@Mocho (Comment 234) : Who’s that, Lady Rugga and…?
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 226) : 😆 lol i know hun , but i had to play along
@KSA Shark © (Comment 131) : did the SW board task you with increasing female membership
@Mocho (Comment 229) :
Gaffie deserves a spot……didn’t he ever play wing? I sure he played wing at some stage.
@Pokkel (Comment 233) : Lance Sherell?
Meyer Bosman should be there 😉
Riccardo Loubscher?
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 232) : hey you 😛
Brad Barritt…. oh wait, he wasnt good enough to play for the Boks!! 😈
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 240) :
wasn’t he a 10?
Geo Cronje! 😆
@Culling Song (Comment 236) : Owen Nkumande 😛
@Megatron (Comment 243) : Hey. You missed all the fun! 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 245) : Yup.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 248) : that’s why i hate work 😈 were you being naughty?
Wessel Roux at 1. Much worse than CJ!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 201) : wynand olivier 🙁
@Megatron (Comment 250) : Not necessarily. But others definitely were! 😛
@Megatron (Comment 252) :
How COULD we forget???
Thanks Mega!
edrich lubbe
werner swanepoel at 9.
@wpw (Comment 244) : See what you started.
I think we’re actually talking rugby…sort of. 🙂
🙄 eddie andrews
@Pokkel (Comment 254) : now that i think of it jaco P also has 2 caps for the boks
@sharks_lover (Comment 259) :
Eddie Andrews were one of the names that started this whole thing! 😆
1) Christo Bezuidenhout
2) Willie Hills
3) Eddie Andrews
4) Jannes Labuschagne
5) Marco Wentzel
6) Deon Steggmann
7) FC Smit
8) Adriaan Richter
9) Dave von Hoesslin
10) Braam van Straaten
11) Khaya Malotana
12) Faffa Knoetze
13) Jaco Pretorius
14) Friedrich Lombaard
15) Werner Greeff
What about Brent Russell at 10?
Hanyani Shimange at 2?
Was Eddie Andrews worse than Lawrence Sephaka?
@rekinek (Comment 238) : 😛
@wpw (Comment 244) :
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 264) : nah – Shimmo at least had the basics of the position covered. Unlike Hills who wasn’t even a very good prop
@Megatron (Comment 252) : Afraid not. he is pretty good.
@robdylan (Comment 262) : Damn good selections in there.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 269) : for the Boks, wynand has been rubbish in 30+ Tests, scoring only once.
@Megatron (Comment 271) : He’ll come good at the RWC. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 272) : You think so? I have my doubts.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 272) : oh? in the most pressurised situation, you give wynand the benefit of doubt…at your peril mate.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 273) : are you on FB?
@Megatron (Comment 275) : are you?
@robdylan (Comment 276) : Yes he is.
We’ve been friends for a while. His real name is Luke Watson. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 276) : yes…@KSA Shark © (Comment 277) :
All the Sharks are doing is digging a hole that they are going to fall into. Signing the likes of Freddy, Marius Joubert and all the old toppies is very short sighted, what the hell is Plumbtree thinking. You have the likes of Cobus Reinach who had a great season for the Sharks XV and the u/21’s, what more must the guy do to be noticed.
Just as a matter of fact….the team with the most young players is currently at the top of the Super Rugby log, doesn’t this tell you that you can do more with young ambitious passionate talent than with old dogs who can’t learn new tricks.
Something to think about if the Sharks want to achieve some type of trophy in the future!!
Very good point Kaygee..
@Kaygee (Comment 279) : Young as in 24/25 is very different from young as in 20/21.
You can’t compare the Reds from 2010 and 2011 to the Reds from 2009 and 2008.
We have a gap between the old gaurd and the new gaurd that needs to be filled and the Jouberts and Michalaks will do that very well.
I don’t agree KSA Shark!
Compare your 2007 team to the current one and you’ll notice more youngsters than at any other time in recent years.
JPP, Frans, Ruan, Barritt, Murray, Bismarck, Kanko… Can’t say the same for the current team.
Lambie, Mvovo and that’s about it! 🙄
@wpw (Comment 282) : Define YOUNGSTER!!!!
How many of those were 20/21 in 2007
@robdylan (Comment 168) : 😎
Kankowski was 22
JPP, Barritt, Murray, 21
Bismarck, Ruan, 23
And i believe only barrit qualified to play u/21 that season still.
So in answer to the question You have the likes of Cobus Reinach who had a great season for the Sharks XV and the u/21?s, what more must the guy do to be noticed
Get a little older.
@wpw (Comment 282) : I can name more older players in that team Wes, Carstens, Smit, BJ, Ackermann, Muller, Botes, AJ Venter, Butch James and Percy Montgomery. I know someone mentioned this earlier in this thread, but it is a balance of youth and experience that does it for a team. The Sharks had that balance in 2007. It was not about the youngsters, but rather about the balance of youth and experience.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 285) : You know what is kind of funny, but remember that before AJ Venter went to WP, Wes was always joking about the Sharks being geriatric, now he wants to argue that they were young in 2007. So sorry Wes, you can’t have it both ways.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 285) : Steyn was 20
@wpw (Comment 282) : 😆 I remember that you were the one calling the Sharks geriatric in 2007. Make up your mind Wes! 😀
@Dancing Bear (Comment 287) : 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 290) : My historical recollection was accurate, wasn’t it? 😉
Let’s not also forget that in 2007 we also had Warren Britz, Bob Skinstad and Albert van den Berg on the bench. When the Sharks signed Monty and Skinstad, along with them having Albert and Ackermann, everyone laughed about the relative “age” of the Sharks, and now Wes says just the opposite.
Beast could not get a start over Carstens in 2007, but that did not mean he was being ignored by the Sharks.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 292) : good point.
Welcome come back
Once a Shark in Black and White always a Shark
nothing is better than your home town
@KSA Shark © (Comment 131) : ouch what can i do with such a mmmmmmmm 😳
@chaz (Comment 296) : such a mmmmmmmm????????????/ Lost for words midway through the sentence? 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 297) : yes i know but i think you can put 2 together just don’t want to get in [email protected] so i justed kept with the mmmmmm (Body)
but i think he is so good looking
or how will my gran daughter say in her words for sth wowwwww ouma 😉
DB + KSA Shark
There’s nothing wrong with having older or more experienced players in the team. I also agree there needs to be a balance BUT my question to you is where are all your young up and coming players?
Plumtree is too conservative in selection and the fact that he is signing over 30’s when other unions are backing their youngsters and it is reaping rewards for them. A few examples, Sadie, Elstadt, Ebersohn twins among others…
@wpw (Comment 299) : why are you worried about the sharks? Let them fumble their way and not realise that since plumtree took over they’ve been dropping down the super rugby log: finalists in ’07 with muir, semi-finalists & knocked out by Tahs in ’08, position 6 in ’09, position 9 in ’10…now plum is clutching at straws to make it to #6 position where he’ll probably get knocked out of they have to travel to play the wildcard playoff game. 🙄
if that is what a successful season is for them, let them be 😀
I must say except for the last comment by meg(reminding us of the slide) this was entertaining read, pity about the work thing… would have wanted to throw a few myself 😆
@franshark (Comment 301) : 🙂 Welcome to my world. When I come on after a days work it is just to much to read through a whole lot of comments and reply.
Either you reply as you read a comment and then see that some already said what you said as you read further, or you read all the comments and then can’t remember which ones you wanted to reply to. 🙂
@Kaygee (Comment 279) : @wpw (Comment 282) :
And those youngsters might have you on top of the logs and get you into finals…but they dont get you cups and medals, because they do not have the experience or BMT to win finals.
@Ice (Comment 303) : I think what Wes is saying is that in 2007 you gave the youngsters a chance, and they did get you to a final and were there the next year to get the cups/medals in the CC, you only really have 1 youngster this year, Lambie. I’d mention Mvov’s too, but sometimes it seems like Plum gives him a chance only when the oldies are injured.
@Molly – yeah – okay – my cooment was more directed at Kaygee – you need to have a fair amount of versatility in their – u cannot load a SR team with inexperienced, but talented newbies and expect to win a final. Especially not so close to the end of a big comp. 😉
@Ice (Comment 305) : Having said that – I dont think it’s impossible, but I think it’s highly unlikely. So in a nutshell – in this scenario – I think going with Freddy over a local youngster is the right thing to do.