Good news for any Sharks fan with a sensitive streak (or a soft spot for home grown heroes fallen on hard times) is that Waylon Murray WILL be a Sharks player in 2015.
As we revealed in November, Murray joined the Sharks on a trial basis during last year’s pre-season block, after prior stints at the Lions, Kings and Bulls had failed to help him deliver on the promise of his early Sharks career – one which saw him twice capped for the Springboks in 2007. Relegated to the status of bit-part Vodacom Cup player in Pretoria, Murray needed a new lease on life and it was fitting indeed that he should return home to Durban, where it all started for him.
Murray was head boy of Westville Boys High in 2004 and excelled in junior Sharks colours alongside fellow prodigy Brad Barritt, with whom he formed a formidable midfield combination. His Sharks debut came in the 2005 Currie Cup, where he was among a handful of raw youngsters picked from nowhere by Dick Muir to make their mark during that campaign. Super Rugby exposure followed the year after, with Murray and Barritt showing their skills in senior Sharks colours for far too brief a time before injury appeared to have cut Murray down in his prime.
“He’s re-looked at his career and is really keen to play again,” says Sharks backline coach Sean Everitt of Murray (on the Sharks website). “I must say, he’s been outstanding at training, he’s shed a few kilograms and he’s got his pace back, so he should be ready to rock and roll come the Super Rugby season.” The Sharks have been impressed enough with what they’ve seen that Murray has been offered a contract for 2015 and will bolster depth in the crucial outside centre position.
With Paul Jordaan out injured (and no clear return date in sight after his horror hip injury) and JP Pietersen still in Japan, expect Murray to have an important role to play, particularly in the early stages of the Super Rugby campaign.
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Welcome home. Looking forward to seeing him in the black and white. There is no place like home.
I’m happy for him, he has a lot of experience, he wears his heart on his sleeve, and every man deserves another shot, I feel he has a lot to offer. A confident and injury free Waylon is an asset. Wishing him all the best for the Super season, I’m in agreement, he has a big job to do – exciting times!
Happy days…. the prodigal son returns home. 😀
Good to see him back! It’s nice that he’s there to shore up outside center.
That’s great news. It would be awesome if him and Frans can build the same kind of partnership as Waylon and Brad had.
Although, my first choice would be Frans/Sburra and backup Andre/Waylon as centres.
I just realized that I finally got my 5th star! Haha
Good luck 2 him, hopefully familiar surroundings can help him regain his former form. Welcome home
Always liked Murray; sadly he never lived up to his potential. Maybe this time.
How old is he btw?
@VinChainSaw (Comment 9) : turns 29 on Freedom Day
@KingRiaan (Comment 7) : congrats 🙂
Good to see him back in the black and white, and although he wouldn’t be my first choice 2nd centre at the mo, it’s nice to see guys getting opportunities to proof themselves once again.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Younger than I thought; good news.
I do have said soft spot, and really hope that my fellow Old Boy lives up to his potential.
He’s certainly shown great character to get back into an SR team after having lost his way(lon). 😈
Welcome home Waylon!
Trying hard to build up some enthusiasm here,but really we should be looking forward ,and this guy as nice a person as he is,and he is,is not the future.At best he is good for a few games,but he will break down and spend half the season in rehab. This has Andre Pretorious,Tonderai Chavanga,written all over it
Esterhuizen is the future,Tyler Fisher is the future.
Somebody at the Sharks is building an old age home for over the hill players who don’t know when to hang up their boots. Hell who is next,Doppies le Grange,
On the fence about this one. Let’s see how he goes.
Welcome back.Nice to see the Sharks are putting a decent squad together.
@The hound (Comment 16) : Yea.. I kind of have the same feeling. Though I am sure he will provide valuable experience for the youngsters. Let’s hope he regains fantastic form that will help us get the SR trophy where it belongs.
@Southern_Shark (Comment 17) : Same here, let’s see how it goes.
@The hound (Comment 16) : I have the same reservations. Waylon couldn’t crack the Bulls CC side and they didn’t even make the semi’s of the CC( or was he injured during that time?)
A true No.13.Welcome back Waylon.
One of the nicest guys around, very humble. Probably will never be the player he was at school but if injury free and lighter can def add value
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Thanks bud
Well, I am chuffed about this. I always liked the guy and am happy to see what he can offer now. I’m not worried about this not being the ideal signing…as I see it, right now it is for depth purposes, especially in those first few weeks when Frans and JPP aren’t back yet…
Haven’t been a sharks fan long enough to know this guy, but by the looks and sounds of it he must be good. But I agree Tyler Fisher could be given an opportunity to make the step up. Even if its a couple of games from the bench since he’s able to cover 13, 14 and 15.
@DeanOwens (Comment 25) : I reckon he’ll get a go.
Anyone have a full fixtures list i can download?
Welcome back Waylon and good luck for the season!!!! Must say I’m glad to hear he dropped a few kg and got his speed back!!!
@JarsonX (Comment 27) : think you can find one on google.
@JD (Comment 29) : ice cold 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 30) : what?!?!?! If you google “super 15 rugby fixtures 2015” there’s a really nice one on “www.sanzarrugby.com”
I’ll give all the new Sharks a chance, but I’d love to see maybe one big signing. Granted, I had never given Ludik much of a thought when he joined and he became a big player for us.
Forgot how big the guy is… Centre have plenty of bulk!
Frans Steyn 191cm 110kg
Andre Esterhuizen 192cm 102kg
Tyler Fisher 189cm 93kg
Waylon Murray 190cm ~101kg
Bit amazed how a few on this site raved about signing a relatively untested kiwi winger, but snub their noses at the return of a tried and tested, not to mention Bok-capped, player.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 35) : Agreed, Waylon has done the job for us in the past and I believe that he will give his all once again.
Super rugby is not a sprint, we will need a large squad of players and Waylon gives us additional cover at 13.
Glad Waylon is getting a look in, I hope he can regain some of his previous Sharks form.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 35) : Maybe its because most of us havent seen Wilson play…
@Here be dragons (Comment 34) : just hope Steyn is fit when he returns.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 38) : if the coaches is willing to give them a chance then I’m also willing! !!!! Good luck to both of them!!!!!!
Rob, any idea whether the Toulon game will be shown in the UK?
@David12246 (Comment 41) : Any idea if it will actually be shown in SA?
Have always rated Murray, thought he was our best back-up at 13 to Fourie, but injuries got the better of him. He is past it now
@David12246 (Comment 41) : I don’t know and for once it doesn’t affect me, since I’ll be watching live. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 44) : Between now and the game, how many times do you think you are going to be asked if they are going to be showing the game?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 45) : probably about as many as I’m going to be asked when the new Sharks jersey is coming out #sigh
@robdylan (Comment 46) : 🙂 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 46) : Speaking of which . . . ?
@robdylan (Comment 46) : Do you know if the jersey will be black and white? 😉 and who will wear what number?
@robdylan (Comment 44) : ice cold Rob ice cold!!!!! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 46) : hope it does not change to much just got the black 2014 jersey!!! Now I have the set of home and away!!!!!
@JD (Comment 50) : 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 52) : enjoy it boet hope it’s a cracking game!!!!
@Die Kriek (Comment 48) : 2016 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 54) : glad to hear!!
@JD (Comment 39) :
Yeah that’s always a worry. None of our guys (Steyn, JPP, Kankowski) seem to return from Japan ready for S15. I think Mtembu and Bothma could see Kankowski fall out of favour unless he steps up. Fine at 8 but elsewhere in the backrow is a concern. Alberts (possible going to the NH after RWC) and Coetzee. Beyond that it’s Kleinhans, Majola, Meyer.
Quins fans want to keep Swiel, wish things worked out better for him with us, but I want to see the guy enjoying his rugby and winning. No way we can get RdP back from WP, but 10 isn’t a problem: Pat, Fred, Lionel right now, that Radebe kid is highly-regarded too. Is Jean Luc du Plessis still in the picture?
@Here be dragons (Comment 34) : Actually Esterhuizen weighs 106kg and Fisher 100kg
@Saffex (Comment 57) : Thanks for the info! Was using the numbers listed for the Currie Cup squad on the Sharks website, so figured they were somewhat out of date. Both big lads!
@SheldonK (Comment 49) :
Is the Sharks jersey black and white or white and black ? #AskRob 😉
@The hound (Comment 16) : I hear you, but every one deserves a shot, its not like he’s on the big money, he has a lot to prove, and if he proves it, good on him – and if he is only good for a few games, that’s also fine, as he would’ve done his job holding it down while the big name players return – the youngsters will also get their chance, and they need to be developed… Brendan Venter brings a squad philosophy to the mix as does Gary Gold, so I feel content. I would choose a hungry Waylon Murray at 29 over an over the hill Pretorius, plus he is a specialist 13 with massive knowledge of the game, he is amicable and approachable, and youngsters can and will feed off him. Its what you give to the squad that adds value, not just the match day team.
@Here be dragons (Comment 56) : I’m not sure but I think Jean Luc is at the Cheetahs. I have a feeling a lot of players like JPP, Frans, Alberts, etc will be heading up north after the World cup.
@Zibbie (Comment 59) : black and white boet always black and white!!!!!!! 😉
I can’t say i liked the way he looked when he played for bulls. But then again I can’t say habana looked any good when he stopped playing for the bulls or elton jantjies when he left the lions. Some people can adapt and some can’t. I won’t place any bets on Waylon but I will say this; a hungry man is a dangerous man. And its nice to see the sharks live up to their “family culture” that they said they wanted to breed. Mouritz, Waylon, Frans all testament to the fact that sharks never leave you behind. So welcome back Waylon!
@coolfusion (Comment 63) : if only he can stay injury free then the hunger will make him dangerous especially as be lost some weight and regain some speed.