So, let’s start off by awarding to “tonsil of the week” prize to Captain Keegan… it seems that he was the one responsible for the tackle that led to Beast Mtawarira’s broken ankle. Keep up the good work, Skipper! (Only kidding Keegs, we’re sure it was an accident)
So, just to catch up, then, the popular Beast suffered a freak training-ground injury on Friday morning and has been ruled out for at least three months, but possibly up to four, according to the latest from the team doctor. In short, it’s going to be a long time before we see anything of Beast and it’s best to assume that he won’t be around for most of the Super Rugby season.
That, of course, leaves the Sharks with a problem, one made worse because they decided a few weeks back to release their de facto backup at loosehead, Eugene van Staden, to Biarritz for a tidy transfer fee. Not, it must be said, that we disagree with this decision. Van Staden, as a tighthead, was standing in the way of a lot of young home-grown number 3s and it made perfect sense to get some money for him, while at the same time bumping Wors Herbst and Julz Redelinghuys up the pecking order. Remember that we still have Nick Schonert, Allan Dell and Maks van Dyk bubbling under as tighthead options. In short, this position is SORTED and it was right to let van Staden leave.
The problem is, Eugene was a more-than-handy loosehead too and with him, Dale Chadwick and the Beat in tow, the Sharks had more than enough depth at 1. Problem now is, the only player who has any relevant experience in that position is Chadwick. Not, it must be said, that we think there’s anything wrong with Dale. The view here is completely consistent with what we’ve been saying all along and with Beast out of the picture, Dale becomes the de facto first choice loosehead prop – that’s as it should be. The young man will have to step up, but I’m sure he will.
The issue, then, is one of backup, because only a fool goes into a Super Rugby season without adequate backup in any position. If Dale goes down, or gets tired, or can’t play for whatever other reason, who then wears the number 1 jersey? There are two approaches here.
The first is to back the guys within the squad. All three of Jannie du Plessis, Herbst and Redelinghuys can carry their own in the scrumming department on either side of the hooker. With four props in the setup, you’ll probably be okay numbers wise. The problem I have with this approach, though, is that loosehead is about so much more than just scrumming. Your typical tighthead, quite honestly, falls far short of the required standards when it comes to ball carrying, work rate and positional play when asked to switch over to the left hand side. The question, to my mind, is not so much whether Jannie, Wors and Julz can cope at loosehead – it’s whether they can thrive there. There is an additional possibility, which is using Kyle Cooper at loosehead – he’s strong enough and has all the right physical attributes, but since he’s never played at prop at all, this has to be looked at as a more long-term solution. Again, not that I think it’s a bad move to try Coops at 1… it’s just that he’s unlikely to be a realistic option there during this Super Rugby campaign.
The other option is to find a replacement for Beast, if such a thing actually exists. If it’s to be done, it needs to be done in the right way; it must be a temporary move and it must be done so as to provide backup for Chadwick, not a replacement for Chadwick. Only if these two criteria can be met will I endorse such a course of action. Don’t be fooled, though, the Sharks started picking up the phone the moment Beast went down and while John Plumtree will certainly look at his options within the squad when they play trials on Friday, I’m sure that discussions are already taking place to try and find a replacement from outside of the province.
It’s premature to mention any names, though… the fact is, there’s very little quality out there at the moment anyway, particularly not on such short notice. Let’s see who the Sharks manage to line up here, but it may well prove to be a case of biting the bullet and making do with what we’ve got. There’s no point in handing game time to a journeyman if we could use one of our youngsters instead.
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Wicus Blaauw?
@Clayton thank you but no thank you but we would wellcome Carstens 🙂
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 1) : he’s well blaauw the required standard 🙂
Well said Rob..
We will have to wait and see what happens..
Go Dale, make us proud!
Do u think beast will have enough time to come back and get back into the bok side for the mid year tests or do u think he wouldn’t have had enough game time
@sharkbok (Comment 5) :
I think it is going to be very close indeed..
We will probably see the likes of Coenie Oosthuizen, or some Bulls loosehead in the June tests..
Didn`t the lions release some of their props?
Not sure who exactly though . . . Buys?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 6) : Dean Greyling must have the inside line if he can have a good Super 15. Coenie and Marcell vd Merwe are also in with a shout.
As is Carstens…
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
Where do you think Mujati fits in, if at all?
@Original Pierre (Comment 7) : to my way of thinking, okes who get released cos they’re too kak to play for the Lions probably aren’t the ones we should be targeting…
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) : depends on how Heyneke sees foreign players. He could challenge Jannie at 3 on his current fomr.
@robdylan (Comment 11) :
I have heard a lot of good things about Mujati..
Would be interesting to get a point of view frm someone who seen him playing..
“The problem I have with this approach, though, is that loosehead is about so much more than just scrumming. Your typical tighthead, quite honestly, falls far short of the required standards when it comes to ball carrying, work rate and positional play when asked to switch over to the left hand side.”
Excellent point Rob – it’s something I definitely hadn’t taken into consideration but it’s a vital part of the Shark’s gameplan. As Beet mentioned in a previous thread – Jaco Engels might be a good short-term solution.
@vanmartin (Comment 13) : will the fans have him, though?
@robdylan (Comment 14) :
Simple answer – NO!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 15) : still remember THAT PUNCH far too well, hey?
@robdylan (Comment 16) :
What punch?! 😈
I just don’t rate the guy, and he is well over the hill.. I think I have my ‘youth-shades’ on when thinking about bringing a player in.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 17) : yes, but no point in bringing in someone else’s youth… let’s use our own.
Engels punched Joe Muller a few years back. It was ugly.
@robdylan (Comment 14) : Will the coach have him? 😀
@robdylan (Comment 18) :
I was sarcastic about the punch.. 😉
I like the back our own youth idea.. lets see if Chadders battles, and then make a call..
Hopefully a good showing at the trials this weekend would see the faith coming through..
Being able to scrum well at 3 doesn’t mean you can handle the scrum at 1…that lack of a shoulder no matter how strong the tighthead…he will struggle at times to hold up the scrum…seen it many times, Have a look at CJ van der Linde, even Eugene Van Staden, When Du Plessis played there he also struggled. Sharks need a guy who is actually an out and out loosehead.
I would love The Sharks to look within the structure; but so many guys have left recently, Like Nhlapo for instance. He could do a job there. Still wonder if Barra Mthetwa can’t be brought in for those Trials to see how he manages.
Great youngsters at loosehead at The Shraks; but too young for now…we need a loan signing. I would’ve liked that Dauw Steyn if he was still at the Pumas; unfortunately the Bulls got him now.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : Richie, you didn’t read the article 🙂
I’m not looking to bring someone in as a replacement for Chadwick… I have no doubt he will do fine.
It’s backup to him that I’m worried about 🙂
Can’t contain my excitement in hearing that P.Jordaan is impressing the Management staff, so far this pre-season. He’s Gonna be a Star of the same stature as Lambie and F.Steyn. At 13 i tell you 😉
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 20) : won’t that be too late? Give Blaauw a look into.
@robdylan (Comment 22) :
I DID read the article, you even bolded the text, just for me!
I agree with what you say though, he will need backup, no arguing that. But I just wouldn’t want the replacement to then get too much game time..
@JJR (Comment 23) : also heard, apparently he benches the 3rd most after Burden and Beast.
@JJR (Comment 23) : nope, they’ve been trying him at 12.
nobody going to give me any compliments for my awesome headline?
@GreatSharksays (Comment 27) : yes… they’ve got somebody else lined up at 13… 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 28) :
Must say Rob, its a PROPerly thought out heading 😉
@robdylan (Comment 28) : Not bad for a PHBS day boy.
@robdylan (Comment 29) : I know, I rate the player highly and think it’s a good move. Knew about it last week, media doesn’t know so I’m assuming they want to keep in under wraps.
I think Chadwick will step up to the mark in Beast’s absence. I’d like to see Plum back youth as backup to Chadwick. What are the chances of Alan Dell stepping up at loosehead? Kitshoff has done a decent job at the Stormers.
@beet (Comment 31) : oooh – ouch and double-ouch!
Since we’re short of props… whatever happened to Simon Kerrod and Brad Mitchell?
@GreatSharksays (Comment 32) : dude, I am already in so much shit with those okes, I’m keeping it under wraps.
You wanna mail me and let me know if we’re talking about the same person?
@robdylan (Comment 35) : It’s the same player,what’s ur email address?
@robdylan (Comment 35) : Can only be Mjekevu…who else? 🙂 Has been on trial for over a month and still there…people can make their own conclusions.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 26) : Yup, this Kid is intense, a Backline player with that power and at his young age is crazy. He was also the SA sevens fastest player last year, and on top of that he has played flyhalf and has a sick step…this guy has been blessed with a lot.
Just also hope his younger brother follows him to The Sharks…one day see Jordaan’s at 10/12 combo…exciting thought.
@JJR (Comment 38) : Is he quicker than Mark Richards? Yes, he is gifted! Still trying to understand why he wasn’t a regular starter both at SA u20 and 7’s last year.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 36) : [email protected]
@robdylan (Comment 29) : Could it be Odders? ❓
Heinke van der Merwe?
@MerckZ (Comment 42) : at centre? Surely you jest 🙂
@vanmartin (Comment 41) : ha – I’m not going to get drawn into this one 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 43) : Haha, would probably make more of an impact there than Jouba did last season… But on the prop front? Silly suggestion? Or already considered and abandoned?
Jaque Fourie??? 🙂
@beet (Comment 46) : Okay maybe just JP Pietersen
@beet (Comment 47) : All will be revealed at the Sharks open house trial match on Friday.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 39) : If Jordaan was in the sevens this year he would also be the fastest, Yes, Richards plays at halfback in Sevens, so clearly he isn’t rated as fastest in SA Sevens Squad. Cornel Hendricks probably fastest currently. 🙂
@beet (Comment 48) :
Are you going dude?
We should go for a drink or two!
Cmon Plummo. Back the guys in the squad man!
left wing and right wing. Inside centre and outside centre. Blindside flank and openside. Loosehead Prop and tighthead… There are technical differences and different strategic requirements and positional plays etc etc. But to adjust from one to the other is not rocket science, its nuance, technical ability and obviously strength if we are talking prop – all props should be able to play both sides and for this season we should back all homegrown and existing talent. Why recruit just to be knocked back down the pecking order when your premium option is again fit…
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 52) : 3 months is a big chunk of the tournament though and there is always the loan option…
the loss of Beast is no joke, but the competition is too important to experiment with a loan, I’d rather have a youngster there who would die for the black and white, go out give his all each game because he knows a chance like this is too massive to not show your mettle… Than have yet another mercenary who’s contract is payable to matches played thus has money first and performance next… If a young man can carry a rifle into war and come out a sergeant a young prop can go into SupeRugby and come out a future star – experience is only gained by playing rugby, so give the man game time and watch his balls become steel…