Reports from Durban today suggest that former Sharks and Springbok centre Waylon Murray has returned to Kings Parks and is currently taking part in pre-season training with the Sharks Super Rugby side.
Murray has had a rather rocky road to travel since leaving the Sharks in 2010 – the former Westville head boy has had stints with the Lions, Kings and Bulls over the last few seasons but has battled with form and injury, to the extent that he’s not cracked a regular first team spot in some time.
It’s not clear whether the 28-year-old is with the Sharks on any sort of permanent contractual basis – to our knowledge his contract with the Bulls is valid through October 2015, but he wouldn’t appear to be in their Super Rugby plans at the moment. It’s possible that, like Paul Perez, he’s simply training with the Sharks in the hope of making enough of an impression to secure a Super Rugby spot in Durban.
We’ll confirm the details when we can, but in the meantime, we’d like to welcome Waylon back home and hope that things work out well for him.
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Suddenly that 13 position seems too well stocked š
just been told Waylon is on trial. So no guarantee that he’ll stay.
He was quite good as I recall. But how old could he be now? Honestly when I saw the headline I thought ” Backline Coach assistant ” or something.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Should he impress and should Fourie be lured back to the Sharks it may be best that Waylon be used on the wing (my opinion anyway).
Not sure about this one but will give him a chance. Used to rate him highly until I heard that he said he doesn’t want to play for the Sharks again. You know what they say, “only a fool doesn’t change his mind”.
@Original Pierre (Comment 3) : the article really isn’t that long. If you’re going to comment, why not at least read it first?
Ja injury really put a stop to a promising career!!!! Hope he can get back to form for the Sharks or any other team!!!!
@robdylan (Comment 6) : LMAO!!!!!
@robdylan (Comment 6) : Someones touchy today . . .
Told you to delete the cheetahs vs sharks super 15 match from your collection . . That`ll put anyone in a bad mood š
@Original Pierre (Comment 9) : I just made a farting noise at you
Hope he does well,him and Frans (if no Fourie) could be a lethal combo!Rob what do you reckon is the plan for S’bura,seems like we’re searching pretty hard for a 13,is he destined for Wing?Too talented to be wasted out wide I reckon,as long as he does not get pushed back down the pecking order.
As much as I’d love to see my fellow old boy prosper, I think injury has already killed off what should have been a very good career.
He had the pace to play wing and the size to play flank, but when last he played, he wasn’t likely to take an outside gap or run straight and hard (always shielding that dodgy knee).
I really hope he proves me wrong.
@BarendL (Comment 11) : I think we have to remember here that you can’t win Super Rugby (or even make knockouts) without two good options in all positions and three in most.
We’ve got to stop thinking about one and only one player in each position.
Signing Waylon or Jaque Fourie or anyone else for that matter does not mean anything in terms of S’bura’s prospects or development at 13. It’s just a sign that we desperately need depth there, especially with Jordaan out.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Agree and supported. Seems like people don’t really understand what it takes to win SR. We currently have one outside and another injury inclined one that is injured at the moment.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Absolutely!
Give Waylon his shot! I always liked him…whether he makes it or not is up to him…
@robdylan (Comment 13) : How long is Jordaan out for again?
I still believe he’s never been the same player ever since splitting with Brad Barrit. Without Barrit he’s like a wondering soul in my eyes. So even if he impresses I don’t think he’d be a success this time. Perhaps he should consider a move to Italy
Depth is vital to any aspiring team, biggest problem is it might cause the second.or third choice guy to be tempted elsewhere. A few years back we had terrible midfield depth, not bad now!
@Here be dragons (Comment 19) : That’s probably another reason why some sort of rotation policy is a good idea!
Waylon is one hell of a nice guy, always gives you the time of day. Unfortunately his injuries were the major talking point of his career and probably why he couldnt hold down a place. However when he is fit and firing he is very good. Just dont know if the docs can get him back to that. Although same thing was said of Julien Redelinghuis and he will become a Bok this weekend…
@vanmartin (Comment 17) : we don’t know, but that injury was ugly…. They said 4 months initially, but I don’t see it. I reckon he’ll make the second half of the competition.
@AP8 (Comment 18) : You beat me to it. I always liked Waylon as a player, but I always suspected that it was Brad Barritt on his inside that made him look so good.
Now if Brad Barritt were to turn up for training at Kings Park I would get excited
@robdylan (Comment 6) : š
@robdylan (Comment 22) : Thanks
@robdylan (Comment 22) : very sad to hear!!!! Hopefully he recovers quickly! !!!
@jonnow (Comment 23) : very very very excited indeed!!!!!!! But must say I think England is wasting Brad at 13!!!!!
That Barritt/Murray combination in 2007 was a thing of beauty!
Oh yes, what was that Warren Brosnihan comment when Murray scored in the 2007 semi? “…more toe than a Roman sandle…” Hahaha…good ol’ Bros!
@robdylan (Comment 13)@GreatSharksays (Comment 14) : Just to be clear,I am all for the squad system,meaningful rotation and building depth and I do understand that in trying to win SR, that is the only way possible,I was merely asking your opinion on S’bura as I am of the opinion that he is a too special talent to be left on the wing and also to be benched or left out for a older player looking for a Bok spot.I am well aware of the Gold-Fourie relationship at Kobe and I wouldn’t want to see one of our most talented backline players being neglected as a result….in sayng that,I am not suggesting it would happen,as I believe Gary being a top coach.
I saw him having dinner at Mama Luciano’s. I thought he might return then.