In the tunnel after the match Jamie Joseph was clearly pleased for Brad Thorn in his 100th Super Rugby match – however what was more evident was that he was pretty pleased to put one over his old Wellington coaching mate John Plumtree.
Sharksworld were in the middle of the media pack when both coaches were quizzed after/over the game.
Here was what John Plumtree had to say:
Question: Do you think that maybe you should have taken one of the three kickable penalties in the last 3 minutes?
John Plumtree: Well it was clear out there that the boys wanted to get 5 points.
Q. Do you think if you had taken the first one that you may have had time to get back down there and take a second one?
JP: Time! I don’t really think so! If we kicked it we would have conceded a lot of territory. But I can’t blame the boys for that – they wanted to win and the Highlanders were good enough to keep us out!
Q: Were you generally pleased Plum with the boys efforts?
JP: We had a bad period 10 minutes after halftime and we didn’t clear well from the restarts and we couldn’t get our hands on the ball – once we got hold of the ball we started playing well again, so it was a really bad-patch that we went through. We shouldn’t however under estimated the boys effort and what they went through tonight. The changing room is a mess – they are all really knacked and they have worked really hard tonight. The Highlanders were desperate tonight and I thought that they defended really well. So good on them!
Q: Frans Steyn’s injury?
JP: I don’t know – we will have to wait and see but our first thoughts were that it looks like a broken leg, he will obviously be off to have an x-ray but the signs are not good!
Q: Lubabalo Mtembu?
JP: He has popped an AC Joint in his shoulder.
Q: So that’s two more going home?
JP: Yes – at this stage that looks like two more going home – at this stage.
Q: So is that up to a dozen to fifteen now on the injury list?
JP: Hahaha – closer to twenty I think! Nah it’s not good mate, our backs have been decimated – it’s really disappointing.
Q: You started off alright tonight and going into the break 15-7 up – things were looking good!
JP: When we kept the ball we looked good and put them under pressure – but that is the game whoever has the ball for long periods of time stretches defences – there were however times when we had little opportunities that we didn’t nail. But that said it has been very disruptive with all of our injuries. I am really pleased with the boys – it was always going to be tough here tonight.
Q: It was like both teams really need to win – with both teams having recent bad patches.
JP: We obviously could have won that game but the Highlanders prevented us from getting across that line – so you have to hand it to there defence they were pretty desperate.
Q: Going to Brisbane now it is getting towards the Last-Chance-Saloon?
JP: Oh we can’t worry about that – what we must focus on is keeping going. We need to organise some fit guys together – see who is available overseas to join us and do the wash-up tomorrow, then worry about Brisbane on Monday.
All the best Plum
JP: Thanks guys.
Tweet
Q: Have you got any clue how to coach?
JP: Nope, sorry!
It must be hell with all those injuries….
Frans possibly having a broken leg – that is a tough break. Can someone just please provide the new Mrs Steyn with more healthy menu options this time?
On a serious note, I hope it is not as bad as that.
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Gallo Images)
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Cape Town – Sharks lock Pieter-Steph du Toit has been issued with an off-field yellow card for a dangerous tackle during their 25-22 Super Rugby loss to the Highlanders on Saturday.
Du Toit contravened Law 10.4 (e) for dangerous tackling when he made contact above the line of the shoulders of Highlanders flank Jarrad Hoeata at a maul. The incident occurred in the 51st minute of the match played at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
An off-field yellow card may be issued by the SANZAR citing commissioner for foul play incidents that are very close to, but in his opinion do not meet the red card threshold for citings.
VIDEO: Highlanders v Sharks, highlights
In this case the referee for the match, Steve Walsh, did act upon the incident by penalising Du Toit for his actions.
Upon further review of the match footage the citing commissioner deemed an off-field yellow card was appropriate.
Can anyone confirm where Steyn got injured, it looked to me like it happened by a side-entry ruck cleanout with the shoulder from a highlanders player?
Bring in Kanko for Mtembu and bring in Alberts as well (for the bench). Is James by any chance ready to come back in place of Steyn? In which case, put him on the bench and eventually start him aside Lindeque.
@sharks_lover (Comment 5) : I saw at least one other high tackle by a Highlander on a Shark. Are they just going to pick and choose who they give retrospective yellow cards to? Doesn’t seem consistent…
in added time should the sharks not have been awarded a penalty try when the ball came out to Lwazi Mvovo and he had the try line in front of him but was taken out from a player from an offside position. he was yellow carded due to that???
Only thing I want to hear from plum is when he’s leaving.
If Frans has broken a leg – he’s out till next season and maybe not the beginning. Willem Alberts is being wasted in the vodacom cup and as far as I recall Plums contract ends this year? If John Smit is earnest in wanting to build the Sharks, maybe he needs to bite the bullet and go for a complete new management structure.He has the charisma to pull it off.
I feel for you guys, this season won’t yield much by the looks of things, hopefully u19s and u21s can do good, because even the Currie Cup is gonna be tough
funny thing is Mtembu is with the team in Brisbane – he hasn’t flown home.
question: when you get fired at the end of the season who do you think should take your place?
jp:ahh tough one mate,well my mate mitchell is out of a job at the moment perhaps he can continue my handy work of alienating talent and underperforming at every level possible
“JP: When we kept the ball we looked good and put them under pressure – but that is the game whoever has the ball for long periods of time stretches defences”
And thats why we aimless kicking needs to be stamped out. However, it seems like its only when we hit desperation row that we stop it and start chasing the game.
Fact is this. We need to win (nearly) every game from here to make the play offs. 10 or 11 wins normally gets you there.
So we have reached the point where the Sharks have their backs against the wall. LETS ALL GET EXCITED BECAUSE THE SHARKS ARE ABOUT TO START PLAYING RUGBY!!! AND USUALLY ITS QUITE ENTERTAINING RUGBY TOO!!
In all honesty I dont see it. If it were me my team vs Reds would look like this.
1. Herbst
2. Cooper
3. Jannie
4. Bresler (although Franco has improved last few rounds)
5. Steph
6. Daniel/Minnie
7. Deysel ahead of Coetzee
8. Kanko (Plum has always had a few screws loose)
9. McLeod
10. Lambie
11. Mvovo
12. Bosman (great game vs Landers)
13. Lindeque (I think people were a tad harsh on him)
14. JP
15. Vijoen
Plus throw in ALberts on the bench.
SAD TRUTH is that this line-up can actually give the REds a run even at Suncorp…
@pienaar111 (Comment 16) : agree. With team. But not with bracketed comments on Franco…. He is not playing any better the last few rounds, he is not doing anything accept calling at lineout time… Imo, he is a shit rugby player!
Any news on Frans? He is also out of shape and form, but we really cant afford for him to be injured as well.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : hhmm… Interesting, on other news sources they are already on their way home.
AH but we all have our opinons. But that being said I would definately start Bresler ahead of Franco…just think he has improved his game in recent weeks though.
I think lambie needs some bench time
@johnny (Comment 21) : Our back line players are breaking at a rate of knots and you want to bench the bloke who is actually kicking the points and had a major hand in creating a try in each of the last two games.
@SharksRTB (Comment 19) : those news sources have picked up on Plumtree’s post-match comments and haven’t bothered to double-check
Jip .. Then mayby they will see that we can’t only rely on lambies boot .. Iam a big fan of lambie but this season he has not been the lambie we all know he really is