Two pieces of interesting news have come out today to give me just an inkling of hope for Ryan Kankowski, whose 2013 rugby season thus far can best be described as “dire”.
According to reports, Kankowski’s Japanese deal will not prevent him playing for the Springboks this season, even though the terms of the agreement did preclude Bok involvement last year. It was widely believed last year that had Kankowski not been unavailable, Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer would have used him, after a run of superb form for the Sharks in the latter half of their Super Rugby campaign. Meyer has again shown willingness to involve Kankowski in his plans, pretty much despite all odds, in including him straight from his Sharks-imposed wilderness to join the Springbok training squad earlier this year.
So, despite some silly rumours to the contrary, Heyneke Meyer is a Kankowski fan – he has shown this by including the player and pulling him closer even when Kankowski couldn’t get a look in for his province. Add to this nugget, the fact that Meyer’s first-choice eighthman, Duane Vermeulen, is still sidelined with injury and his second-choice, Pierre Spies, has now also been ruled out for the year. Meyer told the media that he had excluded Kankowski from his squad for the incoming test series due to concerns about the player’s long-term availability, but that may also have been a nice way of saying that his form wasn’t good enough to win selection ahead of Spies and the other slew of good loose forwards available. With Spies now out of the picture, Kankowski surely must come back into the equation?
The Sharks have meanwhile confirmed that Kankowski is available for selection this weekend. Surely with arch-antagonist John Plumtree set to play no more than a ceremonial role in the final 3 weeks, there’s no reason not to give Kankowski the number 8 jersey back? Kanko has shown faith, despite all provocation, in re-signing with the Sharks for next year, so I’d think the least we can do is give him three games back in his best position to prove to the national selectors that he deserves a Rugby Championship look-in.
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Hear Hear. Give him a run to prove to all – that he IS the best.
I would expect much of the same from Plum in the last 3 games and therefor doubt that Kanko would get more than a bench role. But maybe he proves me wrong.
Give Kanko the captain’s arm-band I say!
He was in far better nick than our current captain who also seems to be suffering from some Alzheimers when it comes to the rules of the game he plays professionally.
Let Keegan go and have some time with the Sevens.
Keegan can captain the bench for the last 3 games.
@Butchie34 (Comment 3) : Agreed. Give Keegan time off.If John Smit Or Brendan Venter are around, Kanko will play. Who sits out then? Jean,Marcel,Willem,Brynard,Terra,Jacques?A conundrum I wouldn’t like to answer!
@markm (Comment 5) : Well, my loosies would be:
6. Jean Deysel
7. Willem Alberts
8. Ryan Kankowski
Jean has been improving with every game back, Alberts was back to his bone jarring best and Ryan is the Kanko this team needs. Jean can be captain.
@markm (Comment 5) : I forgot about Tera. He’s been excellent since be cracked the nod at the beginning of the tour.
It’s certainly a nice conundrum to be in.
I really hope they give him a run, no one deserves it more after agreeing to stick around after the worst season of his life.
Plum can sit in the back and drink some beers in the coaches box as long as he picks Kanko!
@JarsonX (Comment 4) : Hear hear. Maybe captain the Sharks management box.
@PTAShark (Comment 8) : You’ve got it right there. Plum can sit back and we can appoint Keegan as his fetcher. “Fetch Plummie another beer! Good boy!”
And when last did Kanko play a game of rugby, or train with the squad,or his club?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 11): Fair point. I’m guessing the last time Plum allowed him to. 👿
To be fair to Keegan – he’s probably felt a bit of pressure with the Sharks underperforming. But there has to be consistency – if Kanko was dropped because he wasn’t on form, then Keegan should have been in the dock next to him.
The only reason he went on tour was because he was captain – which was fair to him as a player.
Plum better start with Kanko at 8 this weekend.
@Butchie34 (Comment 6) : would love to see Stander get a run
Has Kanko signed a contract yet with the Sharks for next year?
@Phil46 (Comment 16) : Yep.
Really hope Plum or who ever’s coaching the Sharks pick Kanko for Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amidst all the negativity in the media with injuries, hiring and firings, this surely is great news. Well, I comment here after the news had broke that Plum are no longer. Tuff games ahead vs Blues and Bulls in Pretoria but look forward to seeing the Hoff in action again.
Gerhardt just hope Kanko is ready and gets to play!!!!