Sharks coach John Plumtree looks set to have close to a full strength squad to select from when he names his side to face the Cheetahs in Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final.
Of the contracted group, Charl McLeod, Meyer Bosman and Louis Ludik are all long-term casualties, having sustained fractures of various sorts throughout the campaign, while John Smit has been given what amounts to an early release from his contract, in order to focus on his impending move to Saracens.
Following the return of Ryan Kankowski and Craig Burden last week – both of whom played well against the Lions – the Sharks have been further bolstered by the likely return if Adi Jacobs for Saturday’s clash, after he missed out against the Lions due to a hamstring complaint. Wing Lwazi Mvovo, also in doubt after tweaking a hamstring against the Lions, has apparently been running well at training this week, so should also be considered.
The unexpected return to fitness of lock Alistair Hargreaves, along with a return for Beast Mtawarira, stocks the forward cupboard even fuller than it already was too, with only Jean Deysel still doubtful for the game after picking up an injury against the Lions. He will be assessed further on Thursday.
Plumtree’s unenviable task become selecting the best possible matchday 22 from the below, which would be a challenge for any coach:
Forwards: Mtawarira, Chadwick, van Staden, J du Plessis, Herbst, Redelinghuys, B du Plessis, Burden, Cooper, Skeate, Hargreaves, Bresler, Marais, Alberts, Deysel*, Daniel, Botes, Coetzee, Kankowski
Backs: Hoffmann, Cronje, Michalak, Lambie, Potgieter, Jacobs, Joubert, Terblanche, Ndungane, Pietersen, Mvovo
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Ah Adi is fit. Plumtree must be happy, he has that spot on the bench has has been utilising Adi for all season. 🙁
Bring on the Cheetah’s!!
Terblanche, JPP, Adi, Lambie, Michalak, Mvovo, Hoffmann.
Problem sorted.
Skeate and Deysel as the Locks is my call.
Let the speculating begin! :megreen:
Here’s my team.
15. Lambie
14. Odwa
13. Adi
12. JLP
11. JPP
10. Michalak
9. Hoffman
8. Kankowski
7. Alberts
6. Daniel
5. Skeate
4. Bresler
3. Jannie
2. Bismarck
1. Beast
16. Burden
17. Van Staden
18. Hargreaves
19. Coetzee
20. Cronje
21. Stef
22. Mvovo
@Ben (Comment 5) : That’s in case Deysel is injured. If not I’ll play him at 4. That’s the reason for playing Coetzee on the bench. If Deysel does start I’d play Botes on the bench instead of Coetzee.
15. Lambie
14. Pieterson
13. Jacobs
12. JLP
11. Mvovo
10. Michalak
9. Hoffman
8. Kanko
7. Coetzee
6. Daniel
5. Skeate
4. Alberts
3. Jannie
2. Bismarck
1. Van Staden
Reserves
16. Herbst
17. Burden
18. Bresler/Hargreaves
19. Densely/Botes
20.Botes/Cronje
21. Terblanche
22. Ndungane
If Deysel is fit, a 5-2 split with Freddie covering 9. If Deysel doesn’t make it, a 4-2 split.
Nice problem to have, selection-wise.
Only downer is knowing that clod Semi-Pro is going to be officiating.
@JarsonX (Comment 7) : Missed the Beast 😳 Beast on thwarting bench for Herbst.
@JarsonX (Comment 7) : You know Beast is fit right? 😕
@JarsonX (Comment 7) : Densely = Deysel 😳
Any idea who the ref will be yet?
If it`s Pro we`ve got a problem.
@JarsonX (Comment 7) : JLP ?! bwahahaha surely you`re kidding?
Have you forgotten what happened against the Crusaders already?
@JarsonX (Comment 9) : Thwarting = The. 😳 Damn this predictive text 🙄
@Original Pierre (Comment 12) : JLP wasn’t that bad and he can’t be worse than Joubert
@Original Pierre (Comment 12) : Uhm what did he do wrong against the Crusaders?
@Original Pierre (Comment 12) : Pro and Peyper. 👿
But this is the 22 I think Plum will select.
15. Lambie
14. Odwa
13. Stef
12. Joubert
11. JPP
10. Michalak
9. Hoffman
8. Kankowski
7. Alberts
6. Daniel
5. Skeate
4. Bresler (if Deysel is unfit)
3. Jannie
2. Bismarck
1. Beast
16. Burden
17. van Staden
18. Hargreaves
19. Coetzee
20. Cronje
21. JLP
22. Mvovo
@Original Pierre (Comment 12) : I think Marius Jonker is the Ref.
@Ben (Comment 17) : Or maybe Adi instead of JLP at 21.
Marius Jonker will ref our Semi-Final with Notso Legoete and Marc v Zyl as his Assistant Referees.
let’s hope Jonker doesn’t pull a Kaplan and go off at half time while we are in the lead. 🙂
Jaco Peyper will ref the Lions v WP semi.
@Ben (Comment 18) : correct. 🙂
If Deysel is injured and * if not *
15. Stefan
14. Odwa
13. Adi
12. Lambie
11. JPP
10. Fred
9. Conrad
8. Kanko
7. Coetzee *Alberts*
6. Keegan
5. Skeate
4. Alberts *Deysel*
3. Jannie
2. Bissie
1. Beast
16. Van Staden
18. Herbst *Coetzee*
17. Burden
18. Hargreaves
19. Botes
20. Cronje
21. JLP
@Letgo (Comment 22) : I just realized I left Mvovo out completely…oops. Thank makes the 5/2 split more difficult. Unless you rely on Fred to cover 9, because Cronje won’t be used for any significant time anyway.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) : I think Peyper is a pretty good ref.
@Ben (Comment 5) : I like your team! Although id fit Deysel in there if he is fit.
@SheldonK (Comment 25) : Yup see comment 6. 😉
@JarsonX (Comment 16) : It’s Marius Jonker, Pro and Marc v Zyl is assistant Refs and JC Fortuin is TMO
@Ice Ice Bokkie (Comment 27) : Nope, I meant that I don’t like them very much Blondie 😉
Why is everyone picking Lambie at 15, but more concerning backing the Joubert/Stefan combo at 12/13? Because that’s what the team looked like when we smashed the Lions?
Just a reminder, I don’t think our centres had much to do with that; it basically came down to our forwards dominance.
@Letgo (Comment 29) : Who is everyone??
I’ll be very sad if Plum decides to go this route too. Fred had a good game last week, but we all know that doesn’t mean he’ll be firing this week, what do we do when that happens.
I’m not conforatable with the idea that JLP will be his back-up if this weekend is his off day. Or that Lambie will be moved from 15 to cover for Fred if this happens.
At least from 12 the transition should be easy, i don’t think it’s fair to play him at 15 for half of the game and then bring him into the midfield or 10 for the rest.
@Letgo (Comment 29) : Everyone is picking Lambie at 15 because that’s where Plum will pick him. I don’t think anyone is willingly picking that centre combo either.
Mvovo, the most potent attacking threat in the Sharks camp simply has to start. That guy just needs a sniff of the tryline to do something exciting even when the space in front of him looks non-existent. I think the threat he poses on attack outweighs any peace of mind Ndungane offers on D.
@Letgo (Comment 29) : @Ben (Comment 30) : In terms of backing the Joubert/Stef combo?
@Ben (Comment 30) : You, so far and JarsonX (as far as Lambie goes).
So really why are you doing it then? 😀
@Letgo (Comment 35) : Only because I’d rather have Lambie in the team than Stef.
Next year when Ludik is fit and Riaan Viljoen is with us, I’d start with Lambie at 10.
@beet (Comment 33) : I won’t argue that. I feel like Odwa should start also. He is a very smart wing, finds himself in the right place at the right time, runs good lines and seems always get over the advantage line, even when the ball he recieves is not great.
Who supports the Idea of dropping Stef to the bench, I don’t feel particularly comfortable with it.
@Letgo (Comment 31) : Makes no difference really. Even when Lambie plays 15 he comes in at 1st and 2nd receiver a lot of times. So the transition won’t be a problem. Now stop being paranoid! 😉 😆
@JarsonX (Comment 32) : I can also select a team that I think Plum will pick, that’s easy he’s quite predictable. This is what I would have done. I am a think out of the box type of couch coach.
But you are right, Plum will pick Lambie at 15 and move him into 12/10 depending of performance of these players. (and considering that Joubert will be at 12 again, Lambie will play 12 for at least 30min)
Why after the Sharks smash the Lions and play their best rugby do we want to change the team?? Ok i get the inclusion of the returning Boks and changes for injury but otherwise why change anything? Only person that needs changing is Joubert at 12 cos he has been nowhere and needs to sort himself out before the Vodacom Cup next year.
@Ben (Comment 38) : I know you’re right. I actually like Lambie from the back also. I just want him be in the midfield too and don’t know how to make that happen… I’m working on a cloning machine, but some recent glitches has meant that I would have to put it on hold for a little while longer.
Picking Lambie at 15 and keeping the center combo would also be the save choice, so I ok with it, but would just love to see Lambie run out with a 12 or even a 10 on his back to suprise everyone.
@SheldonK (Comment 40) : Because I don’t think that backline had alot to do with the performance. any backline would have looked great with that forwards performance. If we can duplicate that, it wouldn’t matter who we select where in the backline as long as Fred keeps kicking as he has been.
I just like making a little trouble and still prefer Lambie at 10/12… where he can be the brain of the backline. And also, feel very strongly that a french import should not be the reason why Lambie stays at 15. Maybe for these last 2 games of the CC, but certainly not for any future games. If he is selected at 15 it should be purely based on what will benifit the player and the team the most for the rest of his career. (That’s all, that’s why I feel strongly about it.)
@Original Pierre (Comment 3) : you got it!
15.Steff
14.Odwa
13.JLP(Jacobs)-45
12.Lambie
11.JPP
10.Michalak
9.Hoffman
@Letgo (Comment 39) : probably correct!
@Talent (Comment 43) : all good fielders (bbm thumbs up):)
@Letgo (Comment 39) : I was actually trying to pick Plum’s team more than my own. But get what you are saying 🙂
@Talent (Comment 43) : I’m also happy with this team.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) : When did that happen again? I can’t remember.
@Letgo (Comment 42) : I agree with you that the forwards laid the platform for the win last week, no doubt about that! I still believe Lambie is better suited to 15 because he offers that claming presence at the back from set plays and then can also show up at 10 in broken play where he would be most dangerous, much like what O’Connor does for Oz.
@JarsonX (Comment 46) : I don’t think Plum’s going to make any changes to the team that came on in the secon half, only forced changes… injury, returning injuries.
@klempie (Comment 48) : Last years S14 game against the Cheetahs. We lost by 2 👿
@SheldonK (Comment 49) : I understand what you’re saying. I also like him at 15, for exactly the saem reasons you do and even more… Have you noticed how well he reads the game and seems to always take the best option; run, pas, kick?
But I can’t help remembering the performances he produced for us at 10 last year. Match wining performances, where he completely dictated the game… the final and semi’s being only two of them.
@JarsonX (Comment 51) : That was crap… for us and Kaplan! 😆
@JarsonX (Comment 51) : I think I am confusing it with the game JLP dropped us out of the CC.
@klempie (Comment 54) : Pro couldve blown that game as well. I’ve always considered him as being ‘Pro-Freestate’.
@Original Pierre (Comment 12) : You’re right. I forgot our other centres have never disappointed. 😉
@Letgo (Comment 52) : Lambie did do well at 10 but to be honest there are better 10s out there, and i know its not everyone’s choice but i would play Riaan Viljoen there next year. Im a big fan of the best players must be on the field, positions dont really matter outside of the tight 5.
@SheldonK (Comment 57) : I would maybe try Riaan Viljoen somewhere is the centres. He is a really talented player and I would definitely try to get him in the starting 15 BUT not ahead of Lambie at 10. Viljoen is a great fullback with a huge boot and probably also the best running fullback in SA.
@Pokkel (Comment 58) : The reason i say Viljoen at 10 is have u seen how much more effective Griquas look with him at 10 as opposed to 15? He attacks the line well and has good distribution. I also think Lambie has a better head at 15 then Viljoen. As for Ludick i would love to see him at 13 although I have a feeling he could end up at wing a bit which isnt bad.
From: @StefanT15
Sent: Oct 19, 2011 9:34a
For those of you who can make it,come to The Tank this weekend. It could potentially be my last game in a Sharks jersey. See you all there!
@SheldonK (Comment 57) :
Interesting. Can’t see it happening, but could be worth a try. Could use someone who genuinely gets the backline going.
I’d focus on sorting out the centres first though.
And while I’m unsure of what to do with Lambie, I’d be okay if he spent the whole S15 season at flyhalf, and then played fullback for the Boks – but again unlikely.
@hendrikp (Comment 61) : Well its hard to say what Plum has in store next year as this years gameplan was vastly different to last year. This year he has attacked channels 1 and 2 with his big ball carrying forwards and looked to suck in the opposition backline a little before looking to his backline to spin the ball wide where he he is looking to his 11/14 as well as 13 and 15 to get around the opposition rather than through them. I just think that with an aggressive 10 the opposition will be sucked in even more and thus allow the 12 (Bosman) to distribute to guys outside him. The big issue is the choice of 13 not necessarily the 12.
@SheldonK (Comment 57) : I don’t agree with you at all. Lambie is an excellent 10. Viljoen has recently proven himself in the same position, but in a couple of CC games, when asked to do the same for the cheetahs in their S14/15 campaigns he has not looked good.
@Letgo (Comment 63) : Its okay to disagree, life would be boring if we all agreed! The Cheetahs as a whole were pretty bad at super rugby so hard to say Viljoen was bad at 10 there, he has had more time there now. Lambie also wasnt that flash at 10 in Super rugby but did well in CC.
@SheldonK (Comment 64) : Agree about the disagreeing part, I also agree that given a chance Viljoen may proof to be a decent, but still 29 year old flyhalf, but I don’t agree that Lambie was not flash at all. (Except if you’re using the word with the meaning – showy or flashy, and then I agree also, because Lambie is not that sort of player not even from 15).
He did however have his few flashy moments, a couple of nice breaks and steps and chips, but those aren’t the type of things that impress me in a player, especially not Lambie. Lambie doesn’t play with the intention of doing something that will look great for himself, but rather something that will put the team a step in the right direction. He makes the right moves at the right times, rarely wavering from this pattern. That is what impresses me about him, that when he plays Flyhalf he makes a team of struggling backs look more dangerous than a team full of Springboks (All the while taking it in consideration that he did play with a forwards pack that mostly always provided clean ball for him).
This is how I always felt about Frans Steyn at 12. Since even before 2007, you can ask some of the other bloggers here. We got in a few quite passionate arguments (at least from my side) I’m older and wiser now, so I don’t talk just with my emotions anymore, but I still feel very strongly about my position on Lambie. I think if he stays at 15, sooner or later a more “flashy”, just as calm, strong, big boot young man will come along and Lambie will be all forgotten with his cool head and reading of the game at the back (Even Frans Steyn is a better 15, or has better 15 qualities than Lambie does). Not so at 10, I don’t believe.
At 10 he can become great. That’s what I believe.
Well, I thought I don’t talk with my emotions anymore, guess I was wrong.
@SheldonK (Comment 64) : And just to confirm, you’re right, I do love it when we find a topic to debate about a little. It’s interesting and fun. So thanks for disagreeing with me. 🙂
@Letgo (Comment 65) : Its sometimes hard to judge a flyhalf as they are soemtimes just following coaches instructions regarding kicking or just shifting the ball. If Lambie wants to play 10 then he must have the balls to say i want to play 10 and then either make it or break it there. He knows that Plum will pick Michalak over him at 10 so for now Lambie will play at 15, possibly at 12 a bit too. Im a believer in the best players being on the field, so whether Lambie is at 10 or 13 doesnt phase me too much. Likewise with Frans Steyn, he should be on the field, even if it means he wears a 10 on his back.
@SheldonK (Comment 67) : To an extent the best players should be on the field, unless they’re not the best anymore, because you shift them, which in Lambie’s case is not true, so no problem…except he can also be on the field in 12 and be way better than any other option.
It’s hard to judge most players, especially when they’re moving around and like you said you don’t know what is coming from the coaches.
We’ll see what Plum does. I don’t think he mess players around at least and that’s good.
15 Lambie
14 JP
13 Adi
12 Bosman
11 Mvovo
10 Fred
9 Hoffman
8 Kanko
7 Alberts
6 Daniel
5 Skeete
4 Deysel
3 J Dup
2 B Dup
1 Beast
16 Burden, 17 v Staden, 18 Hargreaves, 19 Botes, 20 Cronje, 21 JLP, 22 Ndungane.
@ comment 69,
You have left out Stef and included Bosman. Bosman is a long term injury and there is no way Stef will be left out by Plum. i think it will be a Joubert/Stef combination although i would prefer a Stef/Adi combination