News from Durban is that neither Anton Bresler nor Beast Mtawarira was able to depart with the Cell C Sharks on their Super Rugby semi-final tour to the Antipodes.
Bresler lasted just 30 minutes of Saturday’s qualifier against the Highladners before being forced off the field clutching a suspected broken rib. Mtawarira was withdrawn ahead of the Springobks’ PE Test against Scotland due to a neck injury and has not played rugby since.
Fortunately, young Thomas du Toit has delivered three strong games at loosehead and together with the steady Dale Chadwick provides ample cover in the front row. Lock is more troublesome, but it is believed that both Stephan Lewies (who missed the Highlanders game due to a knee problem) and veteran Marco Wentzel have been included in the tour party.
We hope to confirm the full squad tomorrow.
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Not too bad news for now…
That Crusaders Tight 5 is damn good. As much as young Master Thomas has shone to date, I think it’s going to be tough for him to start next weekend.
Nonetheless, I’m sure he will give a good showing again.
Going to be tough but I’m sure the Sharks pack is up to it again!!!
@R Hayward (Comment 1) : news is not to bad if Lewies is able to play, if he’s out the Sharks will be in deeeeeeeep sh!t !!!!!!!
Sl and EO did great last time,leave the two to carry on where they left off
@Big Fish (Comment 2) : must say I agree with you that Big Tom really had a super start to his career and looked good but I do think Dale should start against the Saders.
Poor Bresler, guy can’t catch a break this season.
@vanmartin (Comment 7) : he broke to many things this year.
For me, the selections in the backline will be more interesting to see:
– Pat back at flyhalf?
– Charl at scrumhalf?
– And does anyone know whether Mvovo actually hurt something when he went off on Saturday…does Chavanga deserve a start after his impressive cameos in the last two games?
I’m looking forward to the answers on those fronts. My backline for Saturday:
9. McLeod
10. Lambie
11. Mvovo
12. Steyn
13. Jordaan/Sithole
14. Chavanga/Pietersen
15. Marais
Let’s see…
Having said all that about the backline, I really hope that Lewies will be ready for Saturday…
@pastorshark (Comment 9) : I would start with 9) McLeod, 10) Lambie, 12) Steyn, 13) Jordaan, 11) Sithole 14) JPP 15) Mvovo with Reinach, Chavanga and SP on the bench
@Bokhoring (Comment 11) : I like that backline too…I was also very tempted to put Mvovo at 15…
@pastorshark (Comment 12) : I know he hasn’t played there for a while, but he did quite well there
@pastorshark (Comment 9) : Ive heard that aLambie wasnt actually fully fit and cleared to play on Sat hence he only got a few min and played a very safe game. I think we may see the same backline employed this week. Mvovo did look out of sorts after his knock though. Id prob start him bench and let Chavanga start.
@SheldonK (Comment 14) : Pat was nice and calm when he came on…I hope he’s fit to play! If he is, it will be interesting to see who gets the goal-kicking duties. My gut almost says stick with Frans…he’s been very consistent…
I would not substitute SP for Mvovo. SP has been very good under high ball and his kicking is still much better than Mvovo.
@coolfusion (Comment 16) : That was ultimately my thinking in picking my backline above. Though, having said that, Mvovo was always good under the high ball when he played 15 and I was extremely surprised and impressed to see just how good his kicking game was…
How good was Kanko on Saturday…he sure took his time, but it seems as though he has timed his peak to perfection.
Let’s hope the rest of the team will follow suit….though all the forwards seem to be playing in a different league at the moment.
I hope Lambie will be the missing link to finally gel the backline together.
Why not have best of both start Frans at 10 Pat at 15 Sithole and Jordaan at center JP and Chav at wing if Mvovo isn’t ready if he is then Mvovo first Chav off the bench. I would start Reinach and bring Mcleod off the bench. Most games I saw we needed Reinach first half for pressurizing the opposition and Mcleod on second half once team has settled.
15 Pat Lambie
14 JPP
13 Jordaan
12 Sithole
11 Mvovo/Chavnga
10 Steyn
9 Reinach
9. Reinach
10. Lambie
11. Sithole
12. Steyn
13. Jordaan
14. JPP
15. Mvovo
With Mcleod and SP on the bench, should be a solid backline.
@coolfusion (Comment 19) :
Or maybe experiment with jordaan at 10 and kanko at 13?
NOT
@coolfusion (Comment 19) : No no and NO! Lambie must be at 10, with Frans at 10 the attack is almost non existent, he either kicks it miles down field, or keeps giving those ridiculous skip passes all the damn time. Plus Pat is a flyhalf! Not a centre, Not a fullback but a Flyhalf!
@KingRiaan (Comment 22) : I tend to agree with you. PLEASE dear lord let Patrick be ready for Saturday!!!
I disagree, Pat has the level head required for 15 and he is in fact a very good 15. I prefer him at 10 but the midfield strength Frans provides will be welcome without sacrificing a very promising partnership between sithole and jordaan sithole would be the only junior in that backline. This is not experimental as these players can and have played these positions with great success in the past. So the comment about playing kanko and jordaan out of position is invalid.
@pastorshark (Comment 17) : Jake is spoilt for choice here 4 good centers 4 world class utility backs 2 good scrummies and 3 excellent wings. If our finishing gets better and we ensure good ruck/broken play we are in for a great game. I agree with Mallet though that we use crashball ineffectively sometimes, more offloads in fact target the tackler turn and secure the offload on your own terms.
@coolfusion (Comment 25) : For most of the season our continuity has been poor…that’s basically been our achilles heel: unforced errors, poor handling and inaccurate passing. In the last 25 minutes on Saturday it was the first time we had an extended period of continuity. If it wasn’t for an unlucky Deysel bouncing the ball out of his own hands and the ball being hit/dislodged out of Chavanga’s hands, we would have scored 4 tries in those 25 minutes. Whoever we pick, I hope we continue with that on Saturday!
@coolfusion (Comment 16) :
I don’t agree, SP’s biggest liability is his kicking. Very average and inconsistent imo.
So we’re going to have a NZ ref in Christchurch? Seems fair, 13 vs 15 was a bit lob sided last time in the Sharks favor.
@coolfusion (Comment 19) :
JW won’t play Lambie at 15. If someone has to play out of position rather make it Steyn at 15, though, I feel he’s kicking isn’t always accurate enough, it should be long enough from 15.
Having said that, I’d prever 10 Lambie, 12 Steyn, 13 Jordaan, Wings JPP & Sithole, 15 Mvovo … and I think McLeod looked like his best again in those last 15min. We have to believe that he can produce that for a full match.
@gregkaos (Comment 28) :
Yes, but he’s one of the better refs.
All very well to concentrate on the backline gents. They will have Sam Whitelock and Dominic Bird at lock. Mr Lewies has become a necessity. Otherwise Kanko will be our only real lineout forward. Is Daniel fit? He’s at least a good lineout option.
Amazing how fast Lewies’s star has risen.
@Letgo (Comment 30) : True, and I do think he’s a good ref, just not a neutral ref.
@gregkaos (Comment 28) : Still might be better than having Jaco Peyper.
@MikeSebMatt (Comment 31) : Even if he is fit he has had little game time. Would be a bit unfair to throw him in now.
@Letgo (Comment 29) : Interesting. Do you think Steyn can play 15? In that case I would rather agree with others and move Mvovo to 15 JPP to his position at wing Tondi takes Mvovo’s space and Steyn at inside centre.
I cannot see Mvovo’s kicking being better than SP Marais. He is just not there yet maybe a full CC at FB but not yet. And 15 is not out of position for Pat he has played it many times even at bok level.
@MikeSebMatt (Comment 31) : Even if he is fit he has had little game time. Would be a bit unfair to throw him in now. Wouldn’t it be great if PS was ready to come back in? Wishfull thinking.