The Sharks team to face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein has been named, with few changes to the unit that beat the Waratahs on Saturday. In particular, no changes have been made in midfield.
Not surprisingly, the front row has remained unchanged, which leaves Beast Mtawarira on the bench. The surprising change is in the second row, where Gerhard Mostert comes in for Alistair Hargreaves, who moves to the bench.
Ryan Kankowski has come back from his jaw injury and is selected in the eighthman jumper, where Keegan Daniel shifts to 6 and Jacques Botes falls to the bench. Jean Deysel has been suspended and Willem Alberts takes his place on the side of the scrum.
Charl McLeod is back as the starting scrumhalf, with Conrad Hoffmann being ruled out for the rest of the season, with new recruit Fred Michalak straight in on the bench. Adi Jacobs must be fit again and takes his place on the bench, along with Jacques-Louis Potgieter.
The Sharks
1. John Smit (Captain)
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. Eugene van Staden
4. Steven Sykes
5. Gerhard Mostert
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Willem Alberts
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Charl McLeod
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Stefan Terblanche
14. JP Pietersen
15. Louis Ludik
Replacements
16. Tendai Mtawarira
17. Wiehahn Herbst
18. Alistair Hargreaves
19. Jacques Botes
20. Frederic Michalak
21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
22. Adrian Jacobs
Tweet
I am not surprised, chuffed with the lock pair though 😉
Any bets on how many linebreaks the Ebersohn bros are going to make? 😈 😉
Plum is very stubborn! 😛
What options does he have in midfield though? If he picked Swannie at 12, the “carthorse” people would be out in force.
He could switch Oupa and Adi…but we know he would never do that!
@McLovin (Comment 2) : 😐
@Villie (Comment 3) : 😆
Very happy that Mossie is getting a start. Interesting that Plum is going with 2 enforcing locks.
Beast on the bench again ? What a waste. Come to the Lions my boy. See you soon.
I like this team, good to see Mostert, Kanko and Freddie in the side. Better team than last week. Sharks by 15
@Charlie (Comment 5) : Adi is proven at 13 and never let’s you down. The experiment with Oupa at 13 hasn’t been a success. I like Stefan, he always give you his all…but he’s a 15 trying to play at 13 and it’s just not working.
@Ben (Comment 6) : Dont they want to ‘attack” the Cheetah line-out?
@Ben (Comment 6) : I think it’s the best option as we really need to dominate in the forwards and get the Cheetahs on the back foot. If not, we know how dangerous their backs are and we also know that our defence is a tad porous.
I don’t agree with the Botes selection or non-selection. I believe he made a huge contribution in retention of ball at the breakdown for the Sharks against the Waratahs, in the first game he’s played in a while.
I think retention at the breakdown will again be a stumbling block for the Sharks with the loosies we have selected. Hope I’m wrong, but that’s my prediction and with that prediction our chances of winning the game became even smaller. 😐
Props / Front Row:
I would’ve played Beast first, but having him come on as a sub will make an impact, but needs to be there for at least 30 min.
Locks:
I like the look of this combination, aggressive, physical and quite mobile – expect some big ball carries
Loosies:
I really love the look of this combo – mobile, aggressive, balanced – if Deysel were available I would have him bench and rotate with Vic – good loose trio
Midfield:
It makes sense to play Bosman against his old employers – he was a senior player for them and understands their structures – despite that missed tackle that again led to a try, Bosman looked half decent against The Waratahs – not sure about Stef getting more game time, but someone needs to lead the team when Smit is subbed.
Back Three: (11,14,15)
Can’t say much here, Ludik and JPP are doing well, and Mvovo will be hoping for some quality ball this weekend.
Subs:
Our bench is superior and this if used properly will be our trump card and the reason why we will win this game. Sharks by 7-12 – You can’t call Cheetahs our bogey team as we have beaten them consistently over the last couple of seasons…
GO SHARKS!
Why not just move Stef to 15 – put Ludick on the bench, JLP at 12 and Adi on 13?
Glad Mvovs is starting
So ROB, Mostert at 5, interesting.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 13) : I still think Botes needs to be there. Hopefully one of the loosies will step up at the breakdowns. I doubt it though.
I like your logic on Bosman, which makes the call to sub Stefan for Adi a good one.
Also hope Plum will use his subs well this week.
@Letgo (Comment 17) : Possibly have Ludik subbed for Adi with Stef going to 15. I can see this happening (and its a good thing)
Yep – how we employ our Subs will make THE difference
arrg get rid of Meyer RubbishMan
Yay!! Mossie at 5!! If he does well that could mean we might see 4.Bresler and 5.Mossie in Currie Cup…my fav. lock combo.
Glad Adi passed his test. If Mcloed knocks one, i will sub him with Freddy…he deserves some hard action for making the mistakes he has over the past few games. Loose trio as always is very good. Still not happy with Smitty at Prop…Eish, C’mon Plum!! Centre combo…well not much we could have done this weekend. The Lions game would be a good time to try. 10.Freddy 12.Pat and 13.Jacobs…would be mean for our attack; as long as forwards give a good, solid platform we should win most games with that Combo.
@Ice (Comment 14) : why temper with ludick, stef can sit on the bench and come in when smit goes off
Ag KAK man…….Plum deserves what comes his way…..I give up!
@Villie (Comment 9) : Agree… 😉
@McLovin (Comment 2) :
I noticed ole Padda is on the bench!! 😈 😉
@franshark (Comment 21) : He’s been solid, but has he brought any play to the park? i think Stef can do a slightly better job there. Just an opinion.
I was just told that Sharks are negotiating a new contract with Bissie…that might be Why Smit is still playing prop? I will bet that Smit will get smashed by Wp.Nel on Sat. Just have a look at Smit’s back before the scrum…everyone else has a nice straight back like Al Baxter has; but Smit…not even close, how can you push someone back with your back in that position?
i give up, we can bitch and moan about it all day long and it’s not going to change. all we can do now is to pray meyer has his best game this w-end. it’s possible, but not easy!!
think plum is making a huge mistake to leave beast on the bench. the cheetahs is a strong unit and will scrum smit into the ground and it will be to late when beast finally come on.
keep the finger crossed, but i have a feeling it’s going to get nasty
Cheetah’s by 12 👿
Fantastic news!!! Meyer Bosman has been given another chance to prove his worth in the midfield and silence his doubters. Excellent. Of course one would have thought that the 12 chances he has had already may have been enough, but as the saying goes “if at first you don’t succeed try and try again”. Fortunately Keegan is playing, and he has the pace to cover the gaping hole (one of only a handful of manmade structures that can be seen from outer space) that is the Sharks midfield. Maybe Plum feels that Bosman has inside knowledge of the Cheetahs structures although it’s a pity he doesn’t seem to have inside knowledge of the Sharks structures. Still no need to be negative. I still rate Bosman as the Sharks best signing since Kees Lensing.
BOSMAN!!! Seriously?! Seeing his name every week is going to give me a hernia.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 29) :
The only ‘inside’ knowledge Meyer has is how to leave a huge ‘inside’ gap! 😕
i actually quite liked Lensing; one of my favourite props a few years back.
@JJR (Comment 32) : But not while wearing a sharks jersey…
@Villie (Comment 9) : After a year of playing 13 its not an experiment anymore. But we seriously need to make a plan with our midfield.
@Pokkel (Comment 28) : Ag nee man Pokkel!!! Hou moed!!! Law of averages dictate that MB has to have a massive good game 😉
Plum needs to have a talk with Joubert…we can’t have a hope to win in the knockouts against Bulls/Stormers if Bossie is at 12. Bring Joubert in next week and give him his rest the First month of Currie Cup.
@Viking (Comment 35) : If that were true, Earl Rose should go to the world cup
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 33) : Ja, you right…he was awesome for Bulls, not so much for us.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 37) : I have not thought about it that way 😕 😆
@wpw (Comment 24) : 😆 Glad someone said it. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 40) : Rob was going to but he couldnt as he has a frog in his throat
@Viking (Comment 35) :
You know what they say the definition of stupidity is……enough said!
Nothing against Freddy but really, is our 3rd choice scrummie so [email protected] that we cannot consider him for Super Rugby level?
This is Plum under estimating the Cheetahs again 🙁
@JJR I don’t think Bissies contract has anything to do with it, john is retiring after WC so Bissie can’t feel threatened over game time next season.
Really happy re Mostert starting though. Midfield has me crying in my wine 🙁
Guys – am i the only one that thought Van Staden was actually the problem in our scrums last week?
@Pokkel (Comment 42) : A sharks contract which has the names Meyer and Bosman on the same line? Do you think we can get Ludick and Alberts agent to look at the contract and see if there are any loopholes that will allow him to leave for another province?
@Ice (Comment 10) : Well Kanko is back and he is another option in the line outs, I’d guess Sykes will be making the line out calls.
@Ice (Comment 45) : He didnt help, but I was pretty sure the buckling was on John Smits side. Its hard to push when half your scrum has disappeared.
John Smit at 1……………+10 to Cheetah’s
Meyer ‘Turnstile’ Bosman…..+7 to Cheetah’s
Mostert at 5……………..+2 to Sharks
Kanko back……………….+5 to Sharks
Cheetah’s by 10
All this negativity is making me really positive.
Sharks by atleast 9!!!
😆
@Ice (Comment 45) : I agree with you Ice. The scums only improved once we subbed van Staden, I thought John scrummed very well and nothing changed in our scrum when Beast came on.
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 44) : Ja…just trying to find some justification for playing Smit at Prop…he does not over The Sharks anything from a playign perspective from Prop…he only adds playign value at 2 in my opinion. Bissie should be on the bench; start Smit at 2. I am losinf faith in Plum’s selections. Like Arsenal football fans always say..in wenger we trust, but i don’t think they say that anymore; Plum must watch out he does not fall into the same hole.
I’m NOT going to get excited AGAIN this year just to be disappointed.
I still support the Sharks 100% and if they win I’ll be very happy BUT I’m not going to cry my eyes out if we lose this one.
I’m a GATVOL Sharks supporter!
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 48) : I know herbsy was not on for long – but to me the scrum did not succeed until VStaden was off. Beast made a slight difference, but the real difference came when VS was replaced.
@Letgo (Comment 50) :
Hell! make it Sharks by 15!! 😆
@Ice (Comment 54) : You’re probably right. having said that, two changes in the front row against a front row that had played most of the game, is bound to level things up somwehat. As far as I remember Baxter came on early, and Robinson was on for the game
@Viking (Comment 51) : @Ice (Comment 45) :
Ag stront man…this is what we said after the Saders game as well….it was Jannie who folded. But who seems to be the common denominator in all this….John Smit.
It’s time we all grew some and accept that our dear captain is useless at prop….klaar!
@Pokkel (Comment 57) : I agree, he’s a hooker. Point set match!!!
@Ice (Comment 54) : Maybe he can rectify his mistakes this weekend. It was the first time that I saw him strugle that much. But interesting though, the Tahs are the team with the most infringements against them at scrum time but Kappie penalised the Sharks the whole time. Not sure if he got it right last weekend.
I have no doubt The Sharks will win; i am just dissapointed in some of the selections…that is not the best lineup The Sharks can put up. Mainly, Smit at Prop is a huge no no for me…Line up i would like to see next week.
1.Beast
2.Smit (C)
3.Herbst
4.Sykes
5.Mossie
6.Keegs
7.Alberts
8.Kanko
9.Mcloed
10.Freddy
11.Mvovo
12.Lambie
13.Jacobs
14.JPP
15.Ludik
16.Bissie
17.Van Staden
18.Bresler
19.Botes
20.JLP
21.Bosman
22.Stef.
When Deysel returns i would drop Stef out and have 2 loosies on Bench. Keep Bossie and JLP.
@Pokkel (Comment 57) : They all think the scrum mysteriously struggles when JS plays at prop, always shift the blame to someone else.
@Viking (Comment 34) : He was actually very good at 13 in the CC….but then again he did have Andries Strauss inside at 12. Of course Super 15 is a step up from CC level aswell.
@Ben (Comment 58) : HELOOOOOO!!! Dis Rugby, nie fricken TENNIS nie! 😈
@Viking (Comment 59) : True that too – but we need to be our best against these guys…
@Villie (Comment 62) : That is my point too – Stef is not a 13, but Bosman is not doing him any favours either…so to me the rootcause of our backline problems is our 12.
@Ice (Comment 45) : @Viking (Comment 51) :
Forget it, you have’nt got a hope in hell that anyone will blame anybody but Smit for any scrum problems, even when he is off the field, as evidenced by the rodgering the scrum took when Beast propped for his first scrum.
@Salmonoid (Comment 65) : The Sharks scrum will be ok against the Cheetahs. The 12 13 combo… lets just say I have my doubts.
@JJR and Pokkel amen hallelujah!! If they whant to play JS than they play him at 2! If they believe that they cannot drop Bissies then JS should drop to the bench! JS is not a prop!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 67) : Quite right!! Hes a teletubbie!!
Tinky winky, dipsy, Lala, Smitty
@JJR (Comment 60) : How could Freddy right into the starting line-up be a better option than anything Plum selected?
@Letgo (Comment 70) : Next week…With Freddy it gives us the options of Pat at 12…will really do anything to get Bosman and Stef outta the team…that 10,12,13 combo would do better than Bos and Stef; they have some x-factor and Pat has the tackling technique spot on, so he should not have problems making tackles at 12. We said we want to play our CC brand; with that team we can; why we always play different in Superugby…it has not worked, stick to what worked for us in the Currie Cup.
I think this is a good line up. I agree with some that Bosman doesn’t deserve to be there, but it is his old track, he knows the bounce and lie better than Riaan.
i`m really hoping Bosman will start featuring now! as it is, he does not deserve the starting spot, but as i`m of the opinion that he can become a great centre, i do hope he gets his SH!T together this weekend.
i would have given JLP a chance at inside centre. His defence also a bit dodgey, but he did well in a few games for the bulls at 12 last season.
None so Blind as those that Don`t Want To See.
Wonder if the odds will change on sportsbet now?
Out of interest, where is Vulindlu? Has he lost form altogether? He was part of the Sharks squad at the beginning of the year right?
I dont think tinkering with small changes in the backline will give us any instant success . ST is a good tackler and MB will hopefully put in a big game ,he will be targeted.
The cheetahs will be pumped up and out to prove a point ,out to prove their worth against some springboks . Expect big games from Ashley Johnson ,Coenie and the Ebersohn bros. If the sharks cant win here then they dont have what it takes (the balls) to be champions. Another lack lustre peformance like those against the bulls and stormers and ill start supporting the bulls for S15 victory this year ,COME ON SHARKS !!!JUST BLADY DO IT
Just show how desperate our situation is in the midfield…JLP has become an option for 12…the position that tests a players defence to the limit…JLP avoids the tackles; just look at how he ran away from SBW on more than one occasion when we played Crusaders…just waits fro someone else to make the tackle…Ruan Pienaar/ Stephen Brett do the same thing when they play.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 75) :
He’s not even making the Sharks XV starting line up. He’s fallen out of favor it seems.
Andries Strauss must curse his luck. Sure he would`ve loved to run out against us. 😕
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 75) : Did he ever have form? I felt he was a Currie Cup player at best. His hands let him down.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 75) : He played for Rovers at 13; not that i am suggesting he is a option at Centre; for me he does not have the skill set for Centre…he will play like waylon Murray…quite one dimensional. He also needs to work on his conditioning a bit in my opinion. He does tackle very well and runs hard which is good; should be back come Currie Cup.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 75) : he’s as good as gone
We have an opportunity to put the Cheetah’s scrum under pressure this weekend because as good as the Cheetah’s front row is in broken play they have also conceded the most penalties at scrum time…….so why not select the strongest possible front row?
Good team..happy about Mostert, high time we picked 2 aggressive locks. Love the pack!! Nice balance!!kanko can jump in the lineout. Bench looks good. Well done Plum.
@Pokkel (Comment 83) : Why oh Why is Smit still playing at Prop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Flippin sucks at prop; making him look crap; he is a great 2…C’mon Plum, what r u thinking?1?1?!!?!?!? Beast is fresh…why is he on the bench..he makes a good impact off the bench; but really…Smit over Beast at loosehead….HHHHMMMM…wonder who is the better option.?
@robdylan (Comment 82) : Into retirement or to another province?
You know that things are not going your way when all the guys on RE:UNION predicts a Cheetah’s win.
But I tell you what will happen this weekend.
Meyer Bosman is going to have a brilliant game and that will be enough to assure him a starting place for the rest of the season even if he plays crap for the rest of the time.
@JJR (Comment 85) : John will have a good game with Colonel Mustard behind him. Watch this space…between my teeth.
If I’m annoying anybody today…..to bad. 😉
I have just reached a point where I just can’t handle the fact that the WHOLE world knows we have problems at center but the clever oke’s at the Sharks doesn’t seem to give a shit! 😈
@Pokkel (Comment 89) : Hear hear!! Bosman to be deported to Aus to serve as Quade Coopers fluff toy.
@waje (Comment 88) : Mossie will help Smit not go back; but it won’t stop him from going straight down or poppin up. His technique looks very amateur, similar to coenie…that is why coenie gives way so many penalties.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 86) : another country
@Pokkel (Comment 89) : Hey TT is that you using Pokkels name. 😈
@Salmonoid (Comment 93) :
Nah…just weeks and weeks of pent-up frustration….I can’t stand it when the Sharks do the same thing week in and week out and expecting different results.
@Pokkel (Comment 94) : 😉
Plum will find everyone calling for his head pretty soon.
🙁 wwe will go backwards in the scrum, thats a certainty 🙁
@Pokkel (Comment 94) : Crazy, aint it? 😛
@Charlie (Comment 95) : You don’t ever say much, do you? 😉
And with ali hargreaves not there…. bye bye line out ball… just when that facet seem to be coming right…
@Pokkel (Comment 94) : I can see its eating you up.
Ultimately I think TT was suffering from the same feelings.
Plummo…. 😯
@Ice (Comment 14) : because with that 12/13 combo the defence will be even worse icey
swannie should had played with adi
@sharks_lover (Comment 103) : Also an option…just want Stef to get out of the bashing he doe not deserve…
@robdylan (Comment 92) : well we did call this yesterday
guess it aint gonna change
This site is going to be filled with some seriously disappointed bloggers……if the Sharks manage to win the game.
@Ice (Comment 104) : @Ice (Comment 104) : that i agree with
and stef had a good game last week
bosman was the weak link
@SharksRTB (Comment 100) : If Bissie throws well Mossie will do Great…Sharks XV he took almost every lineout ball and stole a couple playing against anton van Zyl and adriaan Fondse.
@Pokkel (Comment 94) : I agree with you. The backline has done nothing spectacular all season. Other than one great individual performance here and there. Their one dimensional approach wastes Pat Lambies talents. How much good ball do our centers get? How much of it gets wasted through basic stupid decisions.
@Salmonoid (Comment 106) :
I’m not going to be disappointed, I’ll be chuffed…….but I’m not going to be very disappointed if we lose.
@Salmonoid (Comment 106) : Yeah tons of negative matter in the air – we need some positive anti-matter… SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS… I can see us scramble to victory and I will accept this game play this Super season – hope to see more innovation for next… Playing a Currie Cup gameplan at Super level is not recommended – what is recommended is having varied games plans and balance.
@waje (Comment 109) : That is what i have been complaining about and this around me are tired of hearing it…everything gets killed once it reaches the Centres…Mvovo needs to go looking for work, cos with this Centre pairing he won’t get any ball just standing on the wing being lazy.
@Salmonoid (Comment 106) : I think the Sharks will pull off a win, but due more to the Cheetahs weaker forwards. If the Sharks try to take on the Cheetahs backline then it will be tickets to the Sharks.
Enough bitching….I need to do some work!
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 111) : Ja, agree…we need the balance, we always seem to struggle to find it in superugby; Dick Muir did quite a good job of finding that balance when he was coach.
@Pokkel (Comment 110) : Ill be very disappointed if we lose, always am.
Mind you when we lost the Super 14 final I started laughing, the disappointment set in a few days later.
@JJR (Comment 112) : Yes – what surprises me is that Stef was a wing and often lamented the fact the he didn’t get quality ball from the centres… Stef needs to distribute more and more intelligently – he does not have a total game to take on so much responsibility (i.e. he looks to create things single handedly) – there are times when a centre needs to take contact, but there are times definitely that a centre must create space for support runners to feed off his movements… I am not Stef bashing here, I am talking objectively about the role of a centre…
@SharksRTB (Comment 100) : i think the hinking here from plum is that the cheetah lineouts have been worse then ours , so he has gone for a more agro route , stronger scrums etc
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 117) : I will even take a Bosman 12 Jacobs 13; Jacobs is a great attacking asset and takes good options; just get Lambie to defend the 12 channel and move Bossie to 10. Also Jacobs will allow Bosman to go for the offload, because Adi is great a support runner and great at reading the game…like what he did outside JDV in 08′ for Boks running good angles off JD.
@sharks_lover (Comment 118) :
Stronger scrum with Smit instead of the Beast???Bhahahahahahaha
@JJR (Comment 112) : I totally agree with your Mvovo remark. Mvovo has not fetched the ball once this season. He has so much strength and ability, yet he would rather hang around twiddling his fingers all game. Odwa gets a lot more ball than Mvovo, because he gets into the right places. But Odwa doesn’t have the strength and speed of Mvovo so cannot use it. It amazes me that the coaching staff haven’t picked up on Mvovo, and tried to get him to move to better positions, where he can be destructive.
@Pokkel (Comment 120) : Glad to see that your mood has improved 😆 At least you are laughing again…
@waje (Comment 113) : I know its a big ask but Im trusting that the Sharks have done their homework on containing the Cheetahs backline, they have recently shown that they can take on any team and score from almost anywhere.
General comment:
Jean Deysel / Willem Alberts / Beast / Bismarck: average 4 meters per carry
Kanko / Daniel: average a shade more
A backline player with support and good running lines can gain 20-30 per carry – THUS it is obvious that a more varied play is required with greater technical emphasis on backline attack – if you want to score tries by gaining 4-6 meters at a time – it will be a long day at the office, the defensive lines can gather themselves and defend the same channels consistently…
The Sharks need greater technical emphasis – I know this has been spoken about often, but this is the core/root cause of our predicament… The Sharks are stale. And innovation cannot be the responsibility of the player alone – he needs the backing of his management team all the way from a psychological aspect through to technical assistance… Rob did have a thread up about this I know – but it needs to be discussed further (in fact it needs taking up in the chambers of the Sharks brain trust)
@Pokkel (Comment 120) : die onderbroek weer te styf?? 😆 😆
@waje (Comment 121) : Talking about bacline coaching, how much has the coaches developed our backline this year in terms of the way they play?
@Salmonoid (Comment 123) :
I’m not ‘trusting’the Sharks with anything. Trust needs to be earned and they haven’t earned anything…..especially not who-ever is in charge of the backline.
@Pokkel (Comment 120) : look pokkeltjie , i am also quite shocked beast is again benched just as you are
but i do think smitty will be better off with mostert scrumming behind him then ali
if beast is scrumming by all means ali behind him
@sharks_lover (Comment 125) :
I give up!! We are the only ones out there that still ‘believes’ that Plum is doing the right things. 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 129) : what will your view be if this team whacks the cheetahs??
😉 😆
@sharks_lover (Comment 128) :
It shouldn’t be Mostert’s responsibility!!! I agree he will look better but it gives us a false sense of achievement!
Next week we wonder what the hell is going wrong again.
@Pokkel (Comment 120) : Go look if the scrums improved when Beast came onto the park. The momentum shifted when Hargreaves was replaced, not John.
@sharks_lover (Comment 130) :
I’ll be very happy….but I’ll be a lot happier if we get a decent backline coach.
@sharks_lover (Comment 128) : Doesn’t number 4 scrum behind number 1? That being Sykes?
tell you what?? my worry is more about the center pair that has just not clicked all season
surely with the way the cheetahs attack from all over a swannie at center would have been better then bosman
@Viking (Comment 126) :
(That much)
@Pokkel (Comment 127) : Rob did say Im a glass and a half full type of guy.
@Ben (Comment 134) : they swap around
not sure if you have noticed
ali has been scrumming on the loosehead side
@waje (Comment 132) :
Don’t you start too. Why don’t you okes go start a ‘Smit for prop’ fanclub somewhere….. oh I forget this is already one. 😉
When last did the Cheetahs get a moerse hiding? Don’t you think it is about time again that someone put them in their place at the bottom of the log? GOOOOO SHAAAARKKKKS!!!!
@waje (Comment 136) : BINGO!!!!
@waje (Comment 132) : i agree , look i like ali he a nice guy and all , but even driving play he shows no anger , he does it standing still and just kinda falls into the defence
we need more agro
@sharks_lover (Comment 138) : Nope I haven’t noticed. Good work.
@Pokkel (Comment 139) : I am already part of the John-is-underrated Club. Membership is free as long as you put on a John Smit mask once a week.
@Viking (Comment 140) :
Why don’t you go write one of those famous Sharksworld motivational articles for us! 😈
@JJR (Comment 115) : Plum’s trophies: 2
Muir’s trophies: 0…
@Ben (Comment 143) : you will also see the flanks rotate at times
@Pokkel (Comment 145) : will arrange with Rob to organise you a free club pass 😉
😆
@waje (Comment 144) :
I have nothing against John Smit but I have a huge problem with JS at prop.
@Pokkel (Comment 145) : No Probs… I have a habbit of talking big before a game just in case I do not get a chance after it 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 149) : wanna advise me on who to pick for SB?? 😆
@robdylan (Comment 146) : How many of those 2 have been in Super rugby? Super Rugby is like Champions league football, every coach and player wants to win that one the most and so far no coach has produced the goods yet.
@sharks_lover (Comment 151) :
Like I care?? 😉 😆
@robdylan (Comment 146) : Dick had to fix Putts mess before turning the team around. Plumtree has turned a once potent backline, impotent. Plumtree is a forwards coach and that is where it ends.
@Pokkel (Comment 145) : Those usually come after we’ve lost, telling us we must be good supporters and stand by our team no matter what! 🙄
@waje (Comment 154) : Agreed!
@Pokkel (Comment 139) : Smit at hooker is first prize, for me anyway, but I can see why he is played at prop and I dont think he is nearly as bad as you guys want him to be.
@Pokkel (Comment 153) : i didnt ask you to care ffs , i asked for advice
😆
@Salmonoid (Comment 157) :
I don’t ‘want’ him to be bad. First prize for me would be Smit at 1( if he was as good as the Beast ) and Bissie at hooker.
@Pokkel (Comment 159) : Let us revisit this after this weekend. I think he may look a lot better with Mostert behind him. A scrum is about a pack working together, not the frontrow as most people think. Look how the Sharks scrum has gone a little backwards since Johan Muller left, locks play a big part.
@sharks_lover (Comment 158) :
Look at comment 49
Cheetah’s by 10!
well i nailed my selection to the mast
sharks by 8 🙂
adi – freddy at least something to look forward to.
@waje (Comment 160) :
I’m sure the locks play a huge part but Smit’s whole body position looks wrong in the scrum. He goes in with a bend back and not straight like most props.This means that if the lock pushes very hard that John will either pop up or collaps the scrum.
Rob , pokkel has requested you ban him from here as a sharks SUPPORTER
😆 😆
perhaps Bosman has something on Plum – a tape maybe
@Pokkel (Comment 164) :
Not that I know anything about what goes on in the scrum…just my observation.
@rekinek (Comment 163) : At least we are not the team with Rose on the bench. That is something to be happy about as well
@Letgo (Comment 50) : i think i put by 21 in SB – my lucky number 😆
@Viking (Comment 168) : but they still have option of not using the bench 😕
@Charlie (Comment 95) : 😐
@Pokkel (Comment 167) : Ok I’ll take a look at that on Saturday. And then we can butcher the topic to death.
@Ben (Comment 99) : When it get’s to Plum the last few months I am speechless, luckily he is not taking my breath away…I would have been dead by now 😈
@waje (Comment 172) :
I don’t blog on Sundays…..I need some peace on Sundays 😉
@Charlie (Comment 173) : 🙂
@Pokkel (Comment 174) : Nor do I. I make up time with the family for watching rugby the day before.
Smit is not a prop’s ar*e and no way should he be selected there. He should play hooker, klaar.
I cannot remember EVER thinking the Sharks went into a Cheetahs game, Super Rugby, Currie Cup, home or away, as underdogs. What a measure of how far they have fallen this season that I now consider the Cheetahs as favourites for this game… 🙁
If the Sharks play their cards right, they could end up this Super season with a backline of:
9 Pienaar
10 Michalak
11 Mvovo
12 Lambie
13 Joubert
14 JPP
15 Terblanche/Ludik
Now that is a backline
@siorc sad but true:(
@robdylan (Comment 146) : When Dick was coach we had a lot more Boks which made it difficult come Currie Cup time. Also Dick had more success in Superugby…we should have been the deserved winners in 07′; if we win this year that won’t be the case the way we have been playing…The Sharks were awesome in 07′, we looked and played like a champion side; that is not the case today…the game plan is too one dimensional…let one huge guy carry it up and gain ground and play the phases from there, but when it does not work there is not backup…in 07′ we built momentum off a solid scrum platform and brilliant maul and the Ball runners. The Sharks have hardly mauled this season…don’t get it, we have a huge pack and how much more effective would the weight be used than in a Maul. The backs back in those days also played with so much structure/flair mix. They knew when to carry it up and when to swing it wide…today it seems like they are very uncertain; Jacobs is the only one who has made some very solid dicision making when he has played. Main Focus for Plum needs to be building a solid game off a solid Set Piece. Our Lineout our scrum have been very average. And when we get good ball Stef and Bossie Stuff it or Mcloed knocks. I believe it all starts with the poor platform we are getting from our setplay this season.
@siorc (Comment 177) : Pienaar is still signed to Ulster.
@JJR (Comment 179) : well, it’s simple. We can’t maul cos we never win our lineouts.
That despite having the “best hooker in the world”… 🙂
Rob are u referring to Bissie or JS in that remarck? Because the lineouts were not that much better with JS throwing – oh wait that was the locks fault then 👿
@vanmartin (Comment 180) : playing cards right = loan deal with Ulster (a la what the Stormers tried to do)
An extra good play would also be convincing Joubert to come to Durban early. I read last night that he doesn’t like the idea though.
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 182) : He’s referring to Bissie.
@JJR (Comment 20) : Stop with the moving Pat to 12 thing. If you really want to retain the Currie Cup winning pizazz how can you even consider moving Pat?
@siorc (Comment 177) : Another unbeliever who wants to move Pat to 12. What’s wrong with you ouens? Are you smoking something? 😆
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 185) : They should stop messing with your lover!
@Ben (Comment 187) : He should be so lucky! 😆
@Ben (Comment 187) : Training like that don’t come cheap, I can tell you!!!
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 186) : 😉
@Ben (Comment 184) : smit doesn’t do much wrong in robdylan’s four eyes 😀
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 186) : Hmmmmm let’s see…
Now that Michalak has signed up:
Bosman at 12…
or Lambie at 12…
No brainer 😛
@Ben (Comment 187) : if Pat only knew 😛
@JJR (Comment 179) : u do have some valid points there, that why Rob(I think) said on Saturday that maybe a total slump from here on end would be a blessing in disguise…. Then things can change.
@siorc (Comment 192) : How bout Michalak at 12. No brains? 😆
@Megatron (Comment 193) : What? That I am a consummate but expensive trainer? 😆
@franshark (Comment 194) : I reckon this season is going to go down as an improvement on last year, but not quite enough of an improvement to leave the fans happy – or more importantly, leave us with a trophy.
But it’s hard to justify making the big changes that are necessary when you are (seen to be) improving
Some good news for Stormers. Rudi Wulf has eneded his contract with Toulon a year early, going to the Blues. Toulon apparently keen on signing Habana.
@Megatron (Comment 193) : She can really teach him a thing or two, not relating to rugby! 🙂
@siorc (Comment 192) : that is no brainer talk, lambie stays at 10 and that’s that, mich can play 12 if he wants too…
@franshark (Comment 200) : I’m actually not completely averse to the idea of Pat spending some time at 12 as well…
@franshark (Comment 200) : Thanks you FS. xxx 😆
I got a feeling our lineouts will be good this weekend. Coaching from Albert and Johann Muller 🙂
@Ben (Comment 199) : You and Megatron are reprobates of note! Will have to reprimand you both, methinks! 😛
@robdylan (Comment 201) : At this stage in proceedings? Really? 😯
@Ben (Comment 199) : Eish. Benjamin. 😳
i would like to see Lambie and Pienaar (10-9). Have they ever played together in these positions.
This is the sharks backline I want to see in the next 5 years.
9. Charl Mcleod (in form, crisp service)
10. Pat Lambie ( no brainer)
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Paul Jordaan
13. Johann Sadie, Jaco Taute, Juan de Jongh (any of the 3 will do)
14. JPP
15. Ludik (has to learn to pass a bit more when he has made a line break)
@Ben (Comment 208) : No wait I’d rather have Pienaar at 9.
@Ben (Comment 208) : I can go with that. 🙂
Where do you want to go with them? Do you think Lambie will like that?
@Ben (Comment 208) : don’t we have any own promising 13. and mcleod getting old 😕
@Ben (Comment 211) : Grrrrr… 😆
@rekinek (Comment 212) : We do have some, Piet Lindeque is one, I keep forgetting the others’ names.
@Ben (Comment 209) : that’s better 😉
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 213) : I think Lambie would want to have you all to himself, so rather just go with him. 🙂 😉
@rekinek (Comment 215) : Are you going to Loftus with us?
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 196) : yep, commonwealth gold medalist in Undercover Wrestling 😉
left the UK still undefeated hehhe
@Ben (Comment 217) : of course 😛
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 205) : I said a bit of time… in certain games, it could work.
I see the positions as more-or-less interchangeable. Rather, I wouldn’t pick a guy at 12 that I wouldn’t be completely comfortable with having as my flyhalf.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 204) : i was born ready to take ‘punishment’ Shazzy 😀
@rekinek (Comment 219) : Great stuff, really looking forward to meet all of you.
@Megatron (Comment 221) : Mega, does Sithole have a contract with the Sharks? Or what’s going on there?
@Megatron (Comment 218) : Bwaaaahhhaaaahhhaaaa…. Who’ve you been talking to!!! Remain undefeated, I may add!
@robdylan (Comment 220) : Fair comment. 😛
@Ben (Comment 222) : 😎
@Ben (Comment 216) : 🙄
Nah… Michalak at 12 would be turnstile heaven.
@rekinek (Comment 226) : Will be good to see you all at “Fortress Loftus”… Will have to make up posters for everyone! “Ek eet n’ Bull…”!!!
@Ben (Comment 223) : yes he does…
@Megatron (Comment 221) : hello “Transformation”, what’s up, Keo not happening today?
@siorc (Comment 228) : my only concern with the Freddy/Pat combo at 10/12 is that they’re both quite little.
Then again, pound for pound, Pat is the best tackler in the Sharks team and it’s just possible we’re missing a serious trick by not using that at 12 sometimes.
@robdylan (Comment 220) : i do feel that there are many players who can play more than one position successfully so if you want to squeeze freddy and lambie in one starting line-up there is definitely room to manoeuvre.
It all depends on the composition of the team. Like I do not really care whether Daniel is 6,7 or 8 as long as there is Deysel or Alberts amongst loosies and not only our speedy lighties.
@Megatron (Comment 230) : Great stuff! How old is he now? Does he prefer 11 or 14?
@Ben (Comment 223) : ben , transie wouldnt have a clue , although he will try convince you he does, he knows nothing aboutt he Sharks issues accept that he hates them 🙄 😆
And actually to answer you re Sithole ?? yes he does , he and Jordaan are actually been impressing the Sharks coaching staff big time
just maybe they must bring in Silthole to 13 or Mvovo
Sithole can do the job if they work on his distribution skills and defence as a center, his wing defense is good
@Ben (Comment 223) : Sbura is heading back to Durban tomorrow to make himself available for whatever the Sharks need him for.
He’s still under 21, of course, so could be used there as well.
My gut feel is that a lot will depend on whether Lwazi makes the 3N and/or world cup squads
@robdylan (Comment 232) : Yeah, but little doesn’t mean light… For his height, Pat, at 92kg, can pack a whallop (my bet is he’s gained a couple since they posted those stats as well). Don’t know Fred’s stats, but would assume, given the “lovely” pic KSA posted yesterday, that he’s mostly muscle too… 😳 (clears her throat as she writes this!) And as Pat has proved, it’s not the size of the pistol but the power of the shot that really counts! (And if Megatron and Ben latch onto that one I am done for!)
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 229) : will it not cause indigestion – wouldn’t be enough just to bruise them and walk over them
@siorc (Comment 231) : hi, you’ll have to identify yourself 😀
@sharks_lover (Comment 235) : tough to turn a winger into a 13, though… 13 is generally acknowledged to be the most difficult position defensively.
@Ben (Comment 234) : he normally plays 11
the other wing that plays 14 with him is Mark Richards
@robdylan (Comment 232) : i ech siorc’s sentiment. Though mind you – wasn’t it Freddy who caught Habana.
@robdylan (Comment 240) : i agree rob thats why i said they would have to work hard on his defence and distribution
but yeah i agree with you , would love to see Wynand Pienaar getting a shot
oh and good day mate
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 237) : Sure, but Fred has never been a physically imposing player, whereas Pat punched way above his weight in that area. What I’m getting at is that I reckon Pat will probably be far better at 12 than Freddy would. Not to say that Pat is necessarily any worse at 10 than Freddy either… just that if you are going to pick the two of them together, rather shift Pat to 12 than Fred.
The real answer here is to have 2 Pats. How are those guys doing with their top secret human cloning project…?
@sharks_lover (Comment 235) : tl tl tl tl hi sharky 😛 you grumpy lo geezer 😀
@rekinek (Comment 238) : 😆 Lightly seared in a little hot olive oil…. with a touch of chilli!
@sharks_lover (Comment 235) : The reason I ask him is Sithole is rumoured to be Mega’s cousin.
@robdylan (Comment 236) : Sburu is Sithole??
@sharks_lover (Comment 243) : hiyas bro 🙂
@Ben (Comment 247) : lol i am teasin transie mate , Sithole is his cousin
@Megatron (Comment 245) : hiyas transie 😆
@robdylan (Comment 244) : Two Pats…. now there’s a thought! Why not a whole bunch of them making up the entire backline!
@rekinek (Comment 242) : hang on…. didn’t freddy slow him down just enough for someone else to stop him? Or was it the other way round? I can’t remember exactly what happened.
man Sithole looks like a body builder 😯 one strong MF
😆
@Megatron (Comment 245) : I’m glad Sithole is over his injury , he was out for some time
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 252) : not fast enough to play any further out than 12, IMO (and that includes fullback)
I’d be happy with the following:
9) Charl (2010 CC edition)
10) Pat (kicking boot option installed)
11) JP (left wing edition)
12) Pat (linebreaking edition)
13) Mvovo (once he’s learned to pass)
14) JP (right wing edition)
15) JP (fullback edition with siege-gun boot add-on)
@Megatron (Comment 245) : So, dearest, when are you dumping the avatar for a decent one? At least the SBW one was relevant! 😆
Jordaan will be available to the Sharks as soon as the JWC Boks are done , not sure when that is 🙁
@sharks_lover (Comment 254) : him and Piet Lindeque seem to be running their own personal competition to see who can build the biggest guns…
@robdylan (Comment 253) : They way I heard it someone slowed him down and then Fred tackled him.
@sharks_lover (Comment 248) : it’s SBURA…eish 🙄
@sharks_lover (Comment 258) : is Paul not injured currently? Or did I get that wrong?
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 257) : love, i’ve never had SBW as an avatar 😎
@Ben (Comment 260) : ok, but he hardly smashed him the tackle, right? That’s not really Fred’s thing…
@Megatron (Comment 261) : correct me if I’m wrong, but Sbura is just a nickname, right? His full name is Sibusiso?
@robdylan (Comment 244) : Cloning’s easy, we still have to wait until they grow up though. 😆
@robdylan (Comment 253) : jeez – now you’re asking specifics. Freddie might have ankle tap him and frans steyn got him, but I think Freddie’s was the tackle though in any case steyn would have gotten habana – i never saw him running so quickly.
@robdylan (Comment 256) : my backline with prersent sharks players ??
15 Ludick/W Pienaar
14 Mvovo
13 M Joubert
12 Paul Jordaan
11 JPP
10 Lambieghini
09 Ruan Pienaar(pray he comes back)or Mcleod 2010 edition
reserves
Hoffman (If no Pienaar)
Adi/Odwa
Tattooman Freddy
@Dancing Bear (Comment 266) : oh shit…. I didn’t think about that.
How’s you?
@robdylan (Comment 256) : But surely if we’re cloning we can engineer him to be faster? We could make an entire series of bionic super SuperPats… So… how about:
10) Pat1 (kicking boot gene fully functional)
11) Pat2 (built-in optional genetic turbo booster)
12) Pat3 (linebreaking edition, as stated)
13) Pat4 (genetic version of a Bugatti Veyron SS with boosted passing power on board)
14) Pat 5 (with specially adapted right wing turbo and reverse turbo option)
15) Pat 6 (genetically modified fullback edition with extra-length kicking option and auto-touch-finder installed)
And the original can sit on the bench with a remote control device!
@robdylan (Comment 264) : Did not see it Rob, that part was cut out from the Supersport transmission. You will have to ask someone who was at the game.
@rekinek (Comment 267) : my whole point remains the same… Fred at 12 is unlikely to physically dominate in the tackle, whereas Pat just might.
@Ben (Comment 260) : the way you “heard” ! didn’t you watch 😯 😈
@robdylan (Comment 262) : nope Rob he was meant to be with the 7’s but was called to the Bok under19
they played in PE recently
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 270) : good thing you said reverse turbo, and not turbo reverse…. or you’d have grant10 bringing up John Smit again 🙂
@Dancing Bear (Comment 266) : Not if we install the advanced growth hormone they used in Star Wars and Avatar…. simple…
@robdylan (Comment 264) : Frans Steyn ankle tap slowed down Habana, then Freddie caught him from behind and made the tackle. Still Michalak is very fast, as fast as most wings, perhaps not Habs, but close.
@robdylan (Comment 259) : 😆 well piet is another option at 13
and piet is a strong bugger too
@robdylan (Comment 265) : yes, his full name is Sibusiso meaning a blessing…Sbura is his nick from Queens College
@robdylan (Comment 272) : from the old news “, the Bulls came close to hitting the front when Bryan Habana intercepted a pass from Francois Steyn. Michalak, however, slowed him down with an ankle tap and Steyn made a try-saving tackle.”
so the Freddie’s touch was sufficient.
I agree with you – Freddie is not physically imposing, his forte is attack – so he needs defensively strong players around him.
@robdylan (Comment 269) : Doing well Rob, and yourself?
so Mega… is the new avatar actually you? I feel like we’re making progress at last 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 264) : I was sitting right behind the incident. I wish Supersport did not have problems, because that was one of my best memories. All I remember is Freddie running from the centre of the field and ankle tapping Habana. It was quite amazing because he had to run in an angle just to catch him.
@Megatron (Comment 261) : Subaru Impreza then? 🙂
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 276) : Too many negative side effects 😉
@robdylan (Comment 275) : delete this post re smit as no doubt grant will have a field day 😆 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 277) : other way round 😉
@sharks_lover (Comment 278) : Piet is currently out with a knee problem, though
@sharks_lover (Comment 254) : you should see his dad 😀 probably 1.95m, big guns too…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 281) : I am idling this week, but hoping for some good news next week to really kick-start things again!
🙂
@robdylan (Comment 282) : yes it’s me 😛
@sharks_lover (Comment 286) : Why bother, Grant10 is just like 50% of the posters here that just go on and on and on and on and on about how Smit can not play prop.
@Megatron (Comment 279) : I like that name. My son’s name mean’s something very similar.
@Megatron (Comment 279) : Dude! Zat you? There… You see… MUCH better!
@rekinek (Comment 291) : what you on about “yellow”
@sharks_lover (Comment 278) : What team does Bernado Botha play? He impressed me playing in London and Scotland. He was consistent too.
@robdylan (Comment 290) : Sweet, just getting ready to head down to Hampton Virginia for a regatta this weekend. Weather is looking good for a change too. 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 285) : Long time no chat, howzit DB?
@Megatron (Comment 296) : must be the light 😉
@Ben (Comment 299) : Good Ben, how have you been?
@rekinek (Comment 300) : hehehe must be 😆
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 246) : sounds like recipe 😆
@Megatron (Comment 296) : You’re looking far too studious… Next one should have you grinning at the camera…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 293) : 😆 true
@Dancing Bear (Comment 298) : very nice…. hope the winds does what you want it to 🙂
@Megatron (Comment 292) : hey – we have the same hair style
@Mocho (Comment 297) : not sure but it aint the Sharks
Jordaan and Sithole the only 2 sharks in the 7’s squad
@Megatron (Comment 302) : eish wena mpandhlane
@Mocho (Comment 297) : contracted to SA Sevens, isn’t he? Wasn’t he previously with the Bulls?
Dudes, dudettes and the recently revealed Mr M Tron… I am outta here for a while… it’s bloody freezing in my office and I need to feed my face… Catch you all laters when I am tucked up and warm in bed… After Boots n All, which I hope won’t be delayed by Roland Garros this week…
@sharks_lover (Comment 305) : This thread was ridiculous in this respect. Which is why I did not post until much later in the thread. Honestly getting quite sick and tired of reading this every single time Smit is asked to play prop.
@Megatron (Comment 289) : lol well im impressed with the lad , reckon he gonna make a big name at the Sharks
@Dancing Bear (Comment 301) : Been doing good thanks. Internet here is so slow this time of the day, which really sucks because be the time I’ve actually responded to a comment, 10 others have been made already!
@sharks_lover (Comment 308) : erm herm… Lubabalo Tera Mtembu?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 312) : I hear ya mate
I dont like player bashing either , they dont choose themselves , one thing i do like here is we also dont call our non white players at the sharks quota’s , they all there on form
@robdylan (Comment 306) : Looking good for now, humidity has broken, temperatures are down somewhat, matching the water temperature and winds are forecast from the NW at 10-15 knots, just right. With water and air the same temperature, we should not get a thermal breeze battling the gradient. I expect a beautiful weekend, temps in the mid 20s and a nice crisp breeze.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 304) : um, as if your avatar has you breaking out in a smile Shazzy? 😀
@Ben (Comment 314) : 😆 I am having the same problem today, hard to keep up.
@robdylan (Comment 310) : Ok I found out. He plays for the Lions. No offence Mega. Bernado impressed me more than your cousin.
@robdylan (Comment 315) : ahh ok to be honest i didnt know he was a sharkie
damn we got some good ones comming through
@Megatron (Comment 318) : 😆
@sharks_lover (Comment 316) : Player bashing is bad, but John Smit? He has done so much for Sharks and SA Rugby, he does not pick himself, I am sure he would rather play hooker as well, but bottom line is he is not nearly as bad at prop as so many would like to make out.
@robdylan (Comment 307) :hehehe i see
@sharks_lover (Comment 309) : no mpandla here just a clean cut haistyle 😀
Gonna grab some lunch, catch up later.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 319) : Very hard. So at least we disagree on something, I don’t rate JS as a prop but that doesn’t mean I’m bashing him, I just want to see him play at hooker. 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 323) : i think the question is not whether he is good or bad. he is good. but is he the best what a given team has in this position.
@Mocho (Comment 320) : no need to apologise to me, it’s your opinion 😀
@Dancing Bear (Comment 319) : threads tend to get slow when they go past 300 comments…
Or rather, browsers lose the ability to render such big pages fast.
Victims of our own success
@Megatron (Comment 324) :
@Ben (Comment 326) : I want to see him play hooker as well, but not necessarily to see him at 2, but rather because Bissie has been completely overplayed this season. Even when Smit is on the bench, Bissie plays 75 to 80 minutes and Smit comes on for a prop. Bissie needs a break. With the front row resources the Sharks have, Plum could have rotated his front row, giving Smit time at both prop and hooker and resting Bissie from time to time. The only time Smit has played hooker was when Bissie was hurt. I have no problem with Smit at prop, assuming the front row is managed correctly.
@rekinek (Comment 327) : See my last post regarding rotation of the front row. Smit does not have to be better than Beast to be rotated with him at LH. Why Bissie plays 80 minutes in every match he is not hurt is beyond me.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 331) : Even though our scrums tend to struggle when JS is playing prop?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 332) : it’s simple. Plum’s man-management skills are poor, hence he has never actually had the sit-down with Bissie to explain how he will be managed. Bissie clearly wants to play all the time and Plum hasn’t seen fit to be the grownup in the relationship and set the boundaries.
Bismarck is actually a pretty lekker oke…. I don’t think he’d throw his toys if Plum were to have a reasonable chat with him about it.
@robdylan (Comment 329) : I think it is more on my end Rob. Only time I have consistent problems with Sharksworld is with my older laptop. That is being replaced with a tablet anyway.
@Ben (Comment 333) : I don’t think our scrums struggle any more with Smit at prop as with anyone else at prop. I think it is perception, we hear so much that Smit is a poor prop that people watch him in the scrums much more than anyone else.
@Ben (Comment 333) : I’ve now got the Sharks-Tahs game on my Mac in glorious high def. Gonna watch it on the train and analyse every scrum 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 334) : I have no doubt that Bissie would understand, assuming Plum had the wherewithal to have an adult conversation with Bissie. Bissie knows he is first choice starting next season, without a doubt, so how hard can it be to convince him to take some breaks.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 335) : I’m seriously resisting the urge to paginate the comments… They did/do that on Keo and I find it incredibly irritating to say the least
@Dancing Bear (Comment 338) : Not only that, but by not resting Bissie now, we are at a huge risk of losing him for the RWC. I just don’t get Plum’s blind spot when it comes to man management.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 338) : it’s a World Cup year, FFS… Bissie knows he’s going to be in that 22 come hell or high water anyway. He doesn’t really have anything more to prove that requires him to start every game at 2
@robdylan (Comment 337) : Aha, let us know what you think. 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 340) : Plum is stuck in about 1993, I reckon.
He doesn’t believe in websites, for one thing.
@robdylan (Comment 339) : I wouldn’t bother Rob. With a decent PC, it is no problem at all, even with over 300 posts.
@robdylan (Comment 339) : I agree, will sacrifice the page load so that I can refer to people’s replies to other people easily. Know what I mean? That was a lot harder to explain than I thought.
@molly (Comment 345) : it would’ve been if I didn’t understand EXACTLY what you meant to begin with 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 343) : I always thought Plum was an innovative thinker, I am starting to doubt that analysis now. I hate bashing him, but……….
My pages load quick quick. No problems.
Just in case anybody was wondering.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 347) : I seem to vacillate… bash him in super Rugby, love him in the Currie Cup 🙂
@Ben (Comment 342) : i’ll be in jozi next saturday and am thinking of going to the Coke Tin, when are the Sharks playing Lions?
Getting back to Smit at prop, he isn’t that bad, he just needs a good scrummaging lock behind him, like when he has Bakkies behind him, he holds his own very well. Whether he will ever dominate a front row is debatable, but as long as he can provide clean ball, thats all you need.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 336) : I don’t know about that one DB, I do think our scrums struggle a bit. But I’m with you with the Rotation thing. You know how I feel about Plum and his rotation methods or lack of should I say.
@robdylan (Comment 346) : phew 🙂
@Megatron (Comment 350) : Next Saturday alright.
@Ben (Comment 352) : I have seen our scrums struggle without Smit on the field, and sometimes with him on the field. I don’t think he is the contributing factor. A lot of it has to do with Bissie losing concentration in the set pieces, in my opinion, he does tend to be a bit of a hot head.
@ Ben I thought so! Just don’t know how to make the sarcastic face on my BB 👿
@Dancing Bear (Comment 355) : Okay cool, would you play Smit at tighthead? For me its a big no no that. Loosehead is about brute strength where Tighthead is more about the technique, and you don’t catch up that over night.
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 356) : Huh??
@Ben (Comment 357) : Smit played loosehead at school. I never thought he was as bad as everyone else said at tighthead though. Remember he did destroy the B&I Lions in the scrums when he was at TH. He was poor at TH when Bakkies was not packing down behind him. Bakkies is a superb scrumming tight lock.
I would have had Adi start at outside center with Freddie at inside centre. Leave Stefan and Meyer on the bench.
Think this is going to be a huge battle. We also have altitude to battle against.
Also would have had John start at hooker this week and Beast start.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 359) : Do you think it could be a case of JS struggling at LH when Ali scrums behind him?
@robdylan (Comment 349) : Rob, Is this game on in the UK? I am now in Scotland, but can’t see anything on with the S15 games.
@Megatron (Comment 350) : Will you support the Sharks Transie? 😛 🙂
@Puma (Comment 361) : hi puma! 😀 how was your vacation ou toppie?
@Megatron (Comment 365) : I am still on vacation young chap……hehehehehe.
Having a absolute jol buddy. Still in Scotland until Monday then fly to London fore a few days. Will be back in SA late next week.
@Puma (Comment 364) : do you want me to get hijacked in doornfontein? 😉
@Megatron (Comment 367) : hahahahaha. Nah, there are more Sharks supporters up there….hehehe. Check when you go to the Coke Tin. There will be more Sharks supporters. So many live and work up there.
@Puma (Comment 366) : oh, you couldn’t stay away from the window 😀 enjoy jockland…it’s freezing down here, my sister tells me jo’burg is uber cold!
@Puma (Comment 366) : fore = for
@Megatron (Comment 369) : Only turned on a pc on Tuesday to catch up on the rugby. Have not seen one game since I left 4 weeks back.
Is that you in the picture bud?
@Puma (Comment 368) : will see…anyway enjoy the rest of your vac…out to finish my circuit… 😀
@Puma (Comment 371) : yeah it’s me…out for now.
@Megatron (Comment 373) : Now I know who I am speaking with. Cheers buddy. Good to catch up.
Okay the last thread that got 300 plus comments was a little suspect……. Do i need to check this thread? 😉
Hey guys great news! MeisieKind got voted number 98 in FHM top 100. Haha
@Ben I knew he was referring to Bissie – I was being sarcastic in my post
@Speed7 (Comment 7) : don’t start you’ll come 2nd on SW 👿
@Ice (Comment 14) : 😆
@Pokkel (Comment 28) : @Pokkel (Comment 22) :
eish Pokkel you might just eat your words for supper my friend
@Ben (Comment 354) : gee i wish i could see the new troll face when and if we win the snoils
FAITH
@waje (Comment 113) : agree, that’s why Plum picked a strong pack. Beast can always come on in the second half. Pity Odwa is injured, would have been an option at 15.
@chaz (Comment 381) : hahahaha
@Megatron (Comment 383) : Hey Megatron, I see Pote Human is on his way to the Griquas. He brings back memories of a time in the late 80s when an EP vs Natal match could go either way.
@beet (Comment 384) : yeah, the good ol’ days…
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 377) : Haha oh I see, sorry had no idea which comment you were referring to. Forgot about earlier. 😉
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 182) : John has started 2 games at hooker this season. Bismarck has started all the rest… draw your own conclusions…
To be honest, i reckon you need to get over the “favourite player” mentality a little and start supporting the team as a whole….
@robdylan (Comment 387) : Hey Rob, we need to get an “I Like” smiley for comments we agree with. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 387) : forget what you ‘reckon’, let shawty back her guy if she wants! There’s no preferred way to support a team, bissy is the wayne rooney of hookers – not perfect but can be counted among the world’s best and has a short temper!
Go Shawty!
if john has only started 2 games @ hooker this season – how many minutes has he played as a sub? – then how can he go to the world cup as a hooker?
Has he had ‘enough’ gametime to improve on his putrid performances in last year’s tri-nations where the excuse was he’d been made to gain weight?
News paper article here quoted Plum saying this weekends game will be as tough as test rugby and that’s the way they will approach it. There are so many aspects to cover as the Cheetahs are playing well especially when they get turnover ball. My opinion is give the midfield pair of JLP and Adi a chance. Their defence should be much better than the current pair and JLP will bring the element of a second kicker on the field, something the Sharks is short of at the moment.With that said my team would be as follows:
1. Beast
2. John Smit
3. Eugene van Staden
4. Steven Sykes
5. Gerhard Mostert
6. Keegan Daniel
7. Willem Alberts
8. Ryan Kankowski
9. Charl McLeod
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Jaqcues Louis Potgieter
13. Adi Jacobs
14. JP Pietersen
15. Louis Ludik
Replacements
16. Bismarck
17. Wiehahn Herbst
18. Alistair Hargreaves
19. Jacques Botes
20. Frederic Michalak
21. Meyer Bosman
22. Stefan Tereblance
I’m scared of the Ebersohn brothers. Hope there’s a plan to disrupt Sias as he plays a big part in the Cheetahs’ game plan with his crisp pass, up and unders, chips, grubbers, reading of the game etc. His tackling isn’t the best and that’s where we must attack.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 332) : i see your point – i just would prefer the rotation against the lions and not cheetahs and perhaps not that late in the season. we have only 3 games to go in round robin and all are very important.
I agree, they are so important that we need to win them, one slip and we are out of it hence my choice of the new center pairing. My thinking is that they will have to prove themselves and thus give 125% which could spark a better allround performance. The backline has been struggling and we need someone to give them spark that will set them alight.
Good centres make good teams. this is proving true this Super Rugby. Butch joins up with Doppies and suddenly the Lions are looking good on tour. Wynand Olivier found his mojo and now the Bulls are back to their best. The Stormers were always in contention packed with four class centres.
If PDV learnt something from Super Rugby is that a lot of success can be put down to the quality of your centres.
Heres a thought… The England Saxons have announced their team for the Churchill cup, and Brad Barritt wasnt in it. This would imply that a) hes about to get a senior call up or b) he is not in Englands plans as an international player. If the latter is the case, might he not be lured back to the Sharks sometime in the future. It could solve a major headache.
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 396) : as young as he is, you reckon he would leave all the money in England just to play for the sharks when he doesn’t even qualify for the Boks? 🙄
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 396) :
Or C) he has an injury – which I read somewhere is the case.
If any Sharks fan won the R90 Million Powerball, please help your team and go buy De Jong…Pretty Please!
@Pta Shark (Comment 391) : How I would like to see JLP get a proper chance at 12. I really think he could do well for us there.
@KingRiaan (Comment 399) : Here is a thought. What about this Kyle Brown captain of the sevens. Not sure if he is contracted to any union but I reckon with his size and speed he could make a great 12/13. If I am correct he has played wing in the past but he could make a good centre. Those sevens skills really teach guys how to run through the gap instead of through the opposite player.
@SharonvanWyk (Comment 185) : Only short term…just to get Bosman outta the team. Also when would not have to make that move if Joubert would stop being Lazy and come and Play. Also having Freddy flair and Lambie distribution, it would give someone like Jacobs so much space at 13 to create chances for Mvovo/JPP and Ndungane out wide. Would have loved to see Joubert at 12 and Jacobs 13, but it looks like Joubert will only rock up later.
@Viking (Comment 401) : And in sevens your tackling as to be up to scratch as there is no place to hide.
And can some one tell the Sharks management to look into getting Cecil Afrika?
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 396) : or the fourth option is that he’s just had surgery to repair a hernia… In fact, that’s not an option, it’s the truth.
Best not to assume too much mate. Checking facts is better 🙂
@KingRiaan (Comment 404) :
@Viking (Comment 401) : ummm – the gaps on the field in sevens are generally a lot bigger? Cos there are less players on the field?
Sevens is a useful way to develop some ball skills, IMO, but there’s a reason that guys who are struggling to make it in 15s chose to play 7s instead. It’s quite unusual for a 7s specialist to suddenly turn into a hero in the 15-man game.
@robdylan (Comment 405) : some of us are not so well connected to dig it out 😉
@robdylan (Comment 405) : Thats the third option.
@robdylan (Comment 407) : Christian Cullen was relatively successfull?
If we took sevens more seriously we could field a simply unbelievable team.
Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Fourie du Preez etc
@Salmonoid (Comment 409) : oh shit… so I can’t count 🙂
@Original Pierre (Comment 410) : hang on… you’re saying we should take those guys out of Super Rugby and let them rather play 7s?
Are you actually high today? 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 412) : No LOL not saying we should do it. But if we wanted to dominate sevens completely, we could!
@robdylan (Comment 412) : Hang on, if we take all the stars out of the Stormers and bulls team maybe the Sharks would get a result in Superrugby ?
Lets Do It ! 😈