Well, it’s a few days late, but after the roller coaster that 2014 turned out to be, who can blame me for taking a few extra days off?
I’m back at my post now, though and if my calendar is correct, it’s 2015 – according to the Chinese zodiac, Year of the Shark. Ok, admittedly I made that bit up but I see no reason not to start this year with the same wild optimism that we tend to haul out every January. After all, if we can’t be crazily positive at New Years, we’re a pretty sad lot.
The Sharks will be heading back to Kings Park today as well, to resume their pre-season program. We wish them all the best and hope for a hard, effective and injury-free start to the year, culminating in February’s Super Rugby opener against the Cheetahs in Durban. Hold on to your hats, folks, because the 2015 season is going to start in earnest before any of us know it.
Happy New Year and stay black and white!

Anyone who how Mr Gold’s Japanese season is going?
And Happy New Year to everyone
For anyone wondering it is infact the year of the sheep.
@Seth101 (Comment 3) : baaaah!
@JarsonX (Comment 1) : Kobe are second on the log, but not yet assured of a knock-out spot.
Cool
Happy new year to you all as well and here is holding thumbs for a great season lying ahead.
@Seth101 (Comment 3) : So Aussies to be world cup winners. Get your bets in early.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 8) : the Aussies will tell you that’s actually a Kiwi predilection 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Aussies and Kiwis are close cousins, they wont tell you that.
Heres one for that Loftus announcer.
Little Bruce is learning to drive. He rushes up to his elder brother and excitedly says
“Davey I made a u-turn today”
To which Davey replies, ” Aww thats nothing mate, I made one cry”
any injury updates?
is PSDT, alberts, etc ready to go?
@MJ (Comment 11) : not too sure, but I have no reason to believe they won’t be.
@robdylan (Comment 12) :
A very Happy New Year to you too Rob. Let’s hope the Sharks have a whopping season.
@[email protected] (Comment 13) : I see no reason not to be hopeful.
Hop all of you have a super 2015!!!!!
@robdylan (Comment 12) : hey Rob any idea if the practice sessions is closed for the public? I would love to see the players again even if it’s just practice.
When’s the Toulon game?
@JD (Comment 16) : Sharks practice sessions aren’t usually officially open to the public, but usually if you wander over to the fields you can sneak a peak.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 17) : 5 feb I think. I wonder if they will broadcast it here
@FireTheLooser (Comment 17) : yeah 5 Feb. I’ll be there 🙂
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 19) : @robdylan (Comment 20) : So “Happy” New Year officially starts on 5 Feb…surely SS will broadcast it
@FireTheLooser (Comment 21) : rest assured I’m trying desperately to find some news ahead of then 🙂
Happy New Year all!
happy happy guys . looking forward to a year of banter and debate
@Zibbie (Comment 24) : you guys won Super Rugby yet?
@robdylan (Comment 22) : Sort of Sharks related
….in keeping with his “around the world in 4 short years”, seems it’s another year – another team – another country for Jake White…and he is once again heralded as the savior of said team.
I wonder which team will be shackled by him come next year this time 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 25) :
😯 you must have me confused with a Stormers or Bulls fan ….
Also read an atri that says of the SA teams only the Sharks stormers and Bulls have a shot at winning super rugby . Lions will once again be trampled . 2 easy wins for the sharks . 😛
@FireTheLooser (Comment 26) : yeah, I’ve been trying not to get too worked up about the new Jake era at Montpellier. I hope he has a long and successful stay there. Will keep him the hell away from us 🙂
@Zibbie (Comment 27) : the Bulls? 🙂 Funny joke.
@robdylan (Comment 29) :
So where is your money fro the Sa conference ? Stormers/ Sharks ?
@Zibbie (Comment 30) : Cheetahs all the way
@robdylan (Comment 18) : would love to sneak a peak but don’t wanna get band from the cage as I’m planning on doing a bit of shopping. Any idea how late they have training on the field? If it’s really confidential you could drop me a mail with the times please!?!?!
@Zibbie (Comment 27) : boet you mos know we love to lose to teams 14 and 15 on the log 😉 no easy wins for the Sharks.
@JD (Comment 31) :
whahahaah , you sucking up to king cheetah now :p
@JD (Comment 32) : I would share the info if I had it, but I don’t
@Zibbie (Comment 34) : hoping to get some tickets for the Sharks game in Bloem 😉
@robdylan (Comment 35) : thanx but it’s a pity. Would probably be early in the morning and late afternoon with gym sessions during the hot days. Maybe I’m lucky and will get there when they’re still training on the field.
@robdylan (Comment 20) : I dont know whether you are flying into to nice, however I drove from Antibes to Montpellier last week the toll roads are good but expensive around €50 each way. Also watch out for the dodgy speed traps. They alert you but not quite as bold as the uk and there aren’t cameras at each sign.
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Me too 😉
@JD (Comment 32) : Used to be before the season they have a 5am session in the mornings before it gets too hot. Not sure about nowadays.
@lostfish (Comment 40) : ja thanks I had pretty much the same idea in my head but somehow I don’t see my family racing off to the tank at 5am and don’t see the security guards allowing me in even if I get the family up. Will maar rock up at the Cage at 8:30 to buy some gear and maybe the players could still be there?!?!?!?!
@JD (Comment 41) : The training fields are around the stadium
@lostfish (Comment 42) : ja well we shall see. Family plans are not centred (like mine) around the Tank. Will have to be happy with one or two hours at the Cage (really pushing it but hey if they can shop in clothing stores for hours I can spent a couple of hours in my own heavenly clothing store). Gonna get some new gear!!!!!
@durbsguy (Comment 38) : flying to Marseilles
@JD (Comment 43) : Send the family off to explore the future home of some Sharks games, Moses Mabhida, that should buy you a few hours.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 45) : Don’t get me excited for nothing….you spreading a rumor, or are you aware of some facts unknown to the general public?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 46) : I read somewhere that apparently the relationships between the Sharks and the Moses Mabhida stadium management is on a good footing now that Suthcliff has taken a hike and that they are looking at the possibility of playing SOME games there, cricket also. I think its in the hope of finding a way to ease the monthly financial commitments of the MM stadium. This could be an ideal way of determining whether MM is a good stadium to watch rugby in.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 47) : They should play the smaller games there…the ones that typically do not attract large crowds, as I believe MM stadium will add to spectator excitement and draw larger crowds.
Happy, happy…I hope the new year is a goodie for you all…obviously, though, I hope that the “goodie” for Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Cheetahs supporters doesn’t involve a Super Rugby Trophy. I’d like to book that “goodie” for that Sharks…