It’s week five and the desperate Sharks are now even more desperate than the desperatest thing we can imagine. Or something like that.
Cheetahs v Sharks (Saturday 17h05)
When these two sides met in round 1, the Cheetahs somehow managed to “out-Shark” the Sharks, who were themselves hell bent on trying to “out-Cheetah” their opposition. Brendan Venter’s rather astute – if somewhat too late to be useful – analysis was that the pressure of wanting to play entertaining rugby in front of their home crowd was one of the things that got to the Sharks. The same thing, he alleges, happened to all the other home teams that lost on that weekend of 6 away wins.
We’ll have a perfect opportunity this week to see the tables turned; just how much have the Sharks learned during the month since that game? Based on the unfortunate string of results, it would be fair to say they’ve picked up a few more “don’ts” than “do’s” but there’s an old saying that you learn more from failure than you do from success anyway!
Away from the Durban pressure-cooker and at a venue where, surprisingly, they’ve suffered far fewer Cheetahs “oopsies” than they have at home, the Sharks really need to show that they can take control of a game and do the basics right. With the team they’ve selected, they have all the right building blocks in place to ensure a comfortable win, but so far this season have looked a little short of cement. Perhaps moving to a somewhat simpler recipe – in the interests of getting a much-needed win (even if I’ve switched analogies in the process) – will prove more effective this week.
On paper, the Sharks pack is frightening. Then again, the same pack sucked the hind tit against these same Cheetahs a month ago. The names on paper need to translate those reputations into dominance on grass this week and I’m backing them to do just that. Scrums, lineout and breakdown will be where this game is won and the Sharks have selected the right men to ensure that dominance eventuates.
Cobus Reinach and Pat Lambie will relish the sort of stable platform they’ve not reliably had over the last fortnight and along with Frans Steyn and SP Marais will need to keep the game in the right parts of the field. The pack is the weapon, but the backs are the ones responsible for maximising the effectiveness of said artillery by ensuring it gets deployed in the right place.
Minimise the mistakes, cut out the over elaborate play (which shouldn’t be necessary against these foes) and the result is a good Sharks win, by around 8 points. The alternative is frankly just too ghastly to consider.
Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Jean Cook, 6 Oupa Mohoje , 5 Francois Uys (capt), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie
Subs: 16 BG Uys, 17 Stephan Coetzee, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Heinrich Brussow, 20 Steven Sykes, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Clayton Blommetjies
Sharks: 15 SP Marais, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Renaldo Bothma, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick / Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Marco Wentzel / Lubabalo Mtyanda, 20 Lubabalo Mtembu, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Jack Wilson.
In other matches, it’s Hurricanes over Blues by 12, Force to beat Rebels by 5, Crusaders over Lions by 15, Waratahs to pip the Highlanders by a point or two, Brumbies to stuff the Reds by 15 and the Stormers to squeak a 3-point win against the Chiefs.
Tweet
please God. Please.
Think the stormers chiefs game is going to be a cracker.
@PTAShark (Comment 2) : I think so too. Hopefully they can soften them up for us.
Zero expectation of a win for me so zero chance of another disappointment.
At least the Chiefs and Stormers will play some decent rugby, so that’s something to look forward to.
Anyone know how long Joe signed for the Cheetahs? Would like the Sharks to have a serious look at him if it’s only for the season as I think he’s a seriously underrated fullback!!!!
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 4) : if the Chiefs lose against them they will be very dangerous next week!!!!!
@JD (Comment 6) : The Chiefs will be very dangerous anyway. 😀
Go Sharks. Go Chiefs.
Same picks here 😕
Rob, I got all the picks just like yours (including your first post). 😐
@robdylan (Comment 1) : Amen
Anybody know how long Stephan Lewies still out?
Canes 11 – 14 Blues
30mins
Canes 11 – 17 Blues
35mins
Sorry boys and girls but I hope the Stormers beat the Chiefs. I like the brand of rugby the Stormers are playing with their somewhat rag-tag outfit of forwards. Good basics and excellent teamwork. I hope it’s good enough to beat the NZ teams with and hopefully catch on at other SA unions.
I think we could give theCheetahs a big hiding if,Reinarch and S.P don’t kick,leave it to Patrick and Frans.
Launch it high and if Willie and his hand jive back row watched the game last week you can bet that everytime one of them goes up for it they are going to have more than one eye out for Fransie.
But if Reinarch and Marais kick their usual crud to Willie and Hendriks we are stuffed.
Canes 18 – 17 Blues
Halftime
Hurricanes 25 – 23 Blues
54 minutes.
Canes by 11
Force by 3
Saders by 16
W’tahs by 6
Brumbies by 14
Stormers by 2
Sharks by 3
Same score after 64 minutes
@SharksRTB (Comment 12) : still another 6 weeks min.
@robdylan (Comment 21) : Ettienne Oosthuizen?
3 things I would really like to see the Sharks do tomorrow that I think will be enough to secure a win here:
1. Discipline! and cut down on silly errors
2. Do the basics well (scrums, lineouts, 1st time tackles, kicks that count, etc)
3. Play as team, with the intensity and commitment that comes with playing for one another.
If I can see an improvement in at least these aspects tomorrow, I promise to be less grumpy on this site next week. 😎
@robdylan (Comment 21) : And Sbura?
FULL TIME
HURRICANES 30 – 23 BLUES
Fulltime
Canes 30 – 23 Blues
So thats 4 from 4 for Plum and his boys.
Lekker ne.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 27) : Well he is back at what he is best at – forward coach. I have always rated him as one of the best forward coaches around.
Glad to see the Sharks just have to arrive in Bloem to collect an easy win. Helps me with y Superbru pick. 👿
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 27) : Plum the legend.
somebody really needs to invent a Cheetahs’ supporter website.
@Bokhoring (Comment 28) : Funny how he is willing to be assistant coach for the Hurricanes, but I bet if that was on offer at the Sharks he would have scoffed at it. 🙄
Anyways, glad he’s seen the light, and returned to what he is good at, as apposed to chasing the head coach pipe dream.
@robdylan (Comment 31) : Difficult as it’s very hard to type when you have both hands on the wheelbarrow,to keep your knuckles off the ground.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 32) : It is understandable – very few people will stay if demoted. However I certainly would not have mind him staying and working with a better suited head coach.
@robdylan (Comment 31) : They did, but they kept losing their bloggers to other websites 🙄
@Bokhoring (Comment 34) : I can probably find a way of blaming the departure of Plum on Brian van Zyl, who should never have appointed him as head coach.
I would have loved to see Plum stay at assistant coach post-2007, and I loathed his appointment as head coach back then already.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 32) : He was shafted by the Sharks, its as simple as that. He was appointed as their head coach so why should he stick around when treated like shyte.
His record as head coach is out there for all to see. Lets hope it can be bettered. JW, tried and failed.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 37) : He should never have been appointed as head coach…
@robdylan (Comment 31) : Boo hoo! One would think you would appreciate all hits on your blog. The logic!
Its simple, if you only want Sharks supporters, don’t accept any other provincial supporters. My pseudonym was easy to understand.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 38) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 37) : In a perfect world.. who should you want as head coach, with Plum as assistant?
@The hound (Comment 33) : Thats rough, considering they generally out think us on the rugby field. 😈
@Another Nick (Comment 40) : Brendan Venter
@FireTheLooser (Comment 42) : My vote too. That would make for an excellent combination.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 42) : Good call!
@Bokhoring (Comment 34) : In your wildest dreams could you see Plum working under Gold
I still think a Mitchell,Plumtree combination would be formidable,and I predict that it will still happen ,not here unfortunately we blew that chance.
@The hound (Comment 45) : The good thing about a Mitchell / Plumtree team is that when they piss each other off they can just klap each other, sulk for a day and then get back to the business of coaching.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 38) : I think Plum was a damn fine head coach and as @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 37) : says his record speaks for itself. Still waiting for someone to match or even better it.
@stevovo (Comment 47) : And his record is what exactly?…and please don’t quote me CC stats.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 48) : A lot better than Gary Gold/Venter at the moment.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 35) : Wise ass! Any new bold predictions as to who the Cheetahs are going to capitulate against?
@The hound (Comment 49) : How many years did Plum have with the Sharks? vs. Gold and Venter?
Care to judge Gold after he had the same amount of time as Plum had with the team?
@KingCheetah (Comment 50) : You were well flayed by the bulls last week already…so it didn’t take much longer than I predicted.
@The hound (Comment 49) : Didn’t Venter win the CC in his first year? 😈
[email protected]FireTheLooser (Comment 51) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 51) : No apples with apples,can’t ever remember Plum losing 3 out of four can you,and your dispariging comment was about his record.He never lost three out of four.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 48) : he has exactly the same number of Super Rugby trophies as Gold does.
Plum coached the Sharks in 75 Super Rugby matches.
Gary has coached them in 4.
I’d say the comparisons are a little premature.
@Ben (Comment 53) : What as a player or as a coach,Plum won both.
@The hound (Comment 56) : who cares what they did as players.
Plum won the CC twice in five attempts. Venter 1/1
@The hound (Comment 56) : As a coach obviously. Did Plum win it in his first year?
@The hound (Comment 54) : You clearly forgot about that 2010 season…clearly!
First 5 weeks of the competition:
Played 5….LOST 5
As I said, lets hope Plums record can be bettered, which means us actually winning the damn thing.
@The hound (Comment 45) : Strictly speaking at the time it would have been Plum and Jake, or even Plum and Venter for the interim.
Gold was not my first choice – Venter was. But I will give Gold a chance to prove himself (especially with Venter advising from the background).
@robdylan (Comment 55) : The Blind Plum disciples are just completely devoid of the ability to logically present an argument….
Though, some of these dooms-dayers just simply hate all things currently Sharks, and will always talk about “the good ol’ days”
@Bokhoring (Comment 61) : My problem with Venter is that he is a part timer,and if he were 100% in the driver’s seat,I would have no problem.
But he is not,and therefore he is not committed 100% to the job.Even truly great coaches,likeGraham Henry couldn’t do the job part time.
Gary Gold from way back in his days as Alan Solomons assistant never did it for me sorry.
He will always be at best some one’s assistant.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 62) : Who is hating the Sharks, I doubt they would be here, hurting, if they were.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 52) : Lol, yes we were, we missed Super Sarel. That said, you didn’t fare much better. That said, your prediction was we are going to capitulate vs. and overseas team if I recall. So technically, we are still 1/1.
So are you predicting that the Sharks will flay the Cheetahs?
@The hound (Comment 45) : Lol, you are wasting your breath. Every new “messiah” in Sharksworld is hailed with equal passion, then as they fail to produce the holy grail, they become parodies.
For the record, think we will see the same pattern emerge.
@KingCheetah (Comment 65) : Depends on whether the Sharks click as a team, or try to play as individuals.
I don’t foresee the Sharks running away with it, but I am hoping for a win….on form though, you’d have to think this game is the Tsietas’ to lose.
@KingCheetah (Comment 66) : The Hound enjoys living in the past….during the JW era, he’d have been complaining how he missed Plum…during Plum era he’d have complained how Muir was better…etc. etc.
The rest of us Sharks supporters are willing to give every coach a fair shot, within reason off course (we’re not as patient as tsieta supporters are with Naka, we would like to see some silverware within a 5 year period at least 😈 )
@Ben (Comment 58) : Plum was appointed Currie cup Head coach for the first time in 2007, so no, he didn’t win it in his first year.
@robdylan (Comment 69) : I thought Plum was appointed head coach in 2008.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 70) : he was appointed head coach for Currie Cup in 2007 while Muir took a break.
@robdylan (Comment 71) : Stand in coach, officially head coach in 2008. Semantics.
@robdylan (Comment 71) : Any news on Oosthuizen?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 72) : there was nobody above him in the 2007 Currie Cup.
@robdylan (Comment 74) : But he was still only appointed head coach as from 2008.
Oosthuizen?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 75) : oh. Sorry.
I think another 3-4 weeks 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 76) : Thanks, I thought he may have slipped off the radar and be sampling brown onion soup.
Halftime
Force 7 – 15 Rebels
@FireTheLooser (Comment 68) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 68) : An Optimist is never surprised,and almost always disappointed,a pessimist is almost always surprised by never ever disappointed.
For your information,Izac van Heerden was the last coach who pressed me.Google it.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 77) : Maybe even he had enough of JW
@The hound (Comment 79) : A pessimist you certainly are…optimists don’t get to down when disappointed, they’ll always be optimistic about the next time.
I’d hate to live a life structured around a fear of disappointment.
And as for Oom Izak, surely it’s time for you to move on.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 77) : no, I haven’t heard anything like that.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 81) : Maybe you should take a little of your own advice,it’s been a long time since John Smit got on the phone and fired John Plumtree but it is still one thing by which you choose to identify yourself here in picture and in name,and you have the gall to accuse any one else of living in the past.Take the rugby pole out of your eye ……
@The hound (Comment 83) : Your 4 yellow stars tells me that you wouldn’t have a clue what the inspiration behind my name is (spelling mistake and all).
I will however give you full marks for imagination 😆
@FireTheLooser (Comment 84) : Stroolsie still raise your hackles? 😀
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 85) : I guess I’m over him, now that he’s with the Lions 😉
@FireTheLooser (Comment 84) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 84) : Friend it doesn’t take much imagination,to realise you have a personal axe to grind with Plum,who was a very loyal and honest servant to Natal rugby as a player and a coach.He was a good man,leave it at that.When Gary Gold delivers in the same way,I will be the first to acknowledge it.
Jake White gave me my second favourite moment as a Natal Fan the win against the Crusaders last year,my favourite was the first Currie Cup win against the Bulls at Loftus,if you were there I need say no more,if you weren’t, pity but then you have a silver star
@robdylan (Comment 82) : Good, I like him and Lewies – going forward.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 86) : Must feel like an exorcism, which went down well, and the evil spirit moved in next door with your bastard of a neighbour. 😀
@The hound (Comment 87) : Nothing personal against Plum, very nice guy no doubt and a BRILLIANT forwards coach…but he just did not tick all the boxes for a top quality head coach.
And yeah, that game vs. the Saders last year ranks right up close to the 1990 CC win, which is the reason why I started caring about- and watching rugby.
@The hound (Comment 87) : My best Natal ruby moment as well. Thats a final I will never forget – wasn’t at Loftus myself but that year I chose the Banana Boys as my team – well my father told me to support your own province and not Naas Botha and his blue bulls because he is a good kicker
. En as jou pa praat luister jy lol. Those days Naas was all the rage and every laaitie wanted to kick like him – you know.
Anyway that final was immense – esp when Watson shrugged off old Grobler . Against all odds we klapped them at a packed fortress Loftus!!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 90) : I have that Saders game on PVR with a “K” for Keep next to it along with Donnie Darko and other classics. 😎
@The hound (Comment 87) : Must agree on that Plum did not cove himself in glory the last couple of years at the Sharks but he deserves some credit for his playing and coaching career at the Sharks. He was a loyal servant for many many years!!!!!!
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 91) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 90) : was in Durbs when they won in 1990 it was just magical!!!!!! AND YES I WAS AT THE PARADE THE MONDAY WHEN THEY TOURED HE STREETS OF DURBAN MAGICAL!!!!!!!!!!
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 92) : Games like that keeps us going during the dry times.
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 91) : @JD (Comment 94) : I never cared much for rugby before that game…only knew to never support the bulls, and never support Freestate, and get under the skin of any of their supporters 😈
@FireTheLooser (Comment 95) : Yes, sit and watch and wonder why the hell we can’t play like that as a matter of course. With 15 on the park. 🙄
@JD (Comment 94) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 96) : Can’t remember much of it. I was 3 years old.
@Ben (Comment 98) : I’m so glad I got to enjoy 1990 and 1995…I pity the kids that never got to enjoy the 1995 world cup.
Today’s results.
HURRICANES 30 – 23 BLUES
WESTERN FORCE 17 – 21 REBELS
@Ben (Comment 100) : Happy Birthday Nephew!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 😎
@Dancing Bear (Comment 101) : Cheers uncle, thanks.
You Sharks fans are quite lucky, being able to pick from just one or two magical games, to remember forever.
That would be a complete impossibility for us Bulls fans. 🙂
Crusaders 13 – 6 Lions
50 minutes.
Redelinghuys (Lions) in the sin bin.
Crusaders 27 – 6 Lions
61 minutes.
Crusaders really making the Lions pay for the yellow card. 😯
FULL TIME
CRUSADERS 34 – 6 LIONS
Highlanders 0 – 5 Waratahs
6 minutes.
Highlanders 0 – 12 Waratahs
21 minutes.
Kepu (Waratahs) get a yellow card.
Highlanders 7 – 12 Waratahs
33 minutes.
Half Time
Highlanders 14 – 12 Waratahs
Highlanders kicking into top-gear now.
Highlanders 26 – 12 Waratahs
49 minutes.
Highlanders 26 – 12 Waratahs
70 minutes.
TMO for a Waratahs try.
Held up. 5m scrum – Waratahs ball.
5 minutes left.
Tahs knock-on.
Highlanders 26 – 19 Waratahs
79 minutes.
FULL TIME
HIGHLANDERS 26 – 19 WARATAHS
What a great game of rugby!
Reds 0 – 5 Brumbies
22 minutes.
Reds 0 – 10 Brumbies
31 minutes.
Half Time
Reds 0 – 10 Brumbies
Reds 0 – 17 Brumbies
50 minutes.
Reds 0 – 22 Brumbies
61 minutes.
FULL TIME
REDS 0 – 29 BRUMBIES
Stormers 0 – 3 Chiefs
5 minutes.
Stormers 3 – 3 Chiefs
15 minutes.
Kobus van Wyk try
Brilliant from de Allende
Stormers 10 – 3 Chiefs
20 minutes.
The quality of backline play that created that try is so far above what the Sharks are capable of it’s scary.
Stormers 13 – 3 Chiefs
23 minutes.
Kitshoff making a strong case for Bok squad selection.
Bad missed tackle by Kolbe leads to a Cruden try.
Stormers 13 – 10 Chiefs
28 minutes.
Stormers scrumming the kak out of the Chiefs.
Stormers 16 – 10 Chiefs
35 minutes.
Half Time
Stormers 16 – 13 Chiefs
de Allende is making a strong case for a Bok start at 12. Reckon his talent is wasted at 13. He’s a possible answer to SBW.
@vanmartin (Comment 143) : He has been very good this season.
Both teams’ passing is so flat that some balls look marginally forward at times.
Nic Groom trying to out-Reinach himself.
Groom takes a leaf out of Reinach’s book there 🙂
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 146) : @vanmartin (Comment 147) : Someone owes someone a coke here 😉
James Lowe (Chiefs) try.
Wow the handling by the Chiefs is fucking awe-inspiring. 😎
@vanmartin (Comment 148) : Snap. 😀
Where’s the Stormers defense in that wide channel gone? Didn’t even note any cover defense coming across?
Stormers 16 – 20 Chiefs
49 minutes.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 150) : It’s scary and beautiful
Two good replacements, Scalla and the Cat
Well timed tackle
@vanmartin (Comment 154) : Jip. Now it’s beautiful. Next week it will be scary.
Chiefs starting to dominate.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 157) : Exactly
Holy cow, that Stormers scrum
@vanmartin (Comment 160) : Might as well just make it the Bok scrum.
Chiefs are fearless with ball in hand, it’s like they don’t care that there scrums are being annihilated
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 161) : We can throw in a few of the backline players while we’re at it 😉
Stormers 16 – 23 Chiefs
60 minutes.
@vanmartin (Comment 162) : True. The same thing happened last week and we collapsed in a heap.
@vanmartin (Comment 163) : Ja OK. One or two.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 165) : I reckon it’s far more of a psychological blow to SA sides. Chiefs just get on with the job.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 166) : The centre pairing are the two I really want 🙂
Chiefs cutting down the space on the outside far better than the Stormers have in this game
@vanmartin (Comment 167) : It’s seriously annoying that we’re so soft in the head.
Stormers 19 – 23 Chiefs
66 minutes.
@vanmartin (Comment 168) : They’re our form midfield combo, but jy weet mos how it works. 🙄
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 170) : I reckon it’s great to take pride in your set-pieces but don’t throw all the eggs in one basket.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 172) : But they are mos wearing blue! :p
There should be a law against SA scrumhalves taking exit kicks in their 22!! A gifted try there…
Stormers 19 – 28 Chiefs
72 minutes.
@vanmartin (Comment 173) : Ja, but when us Saffas get scrummed we feel emasculated in all positions.
@vanmartin (Comment 174) : 😀
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 177) : These last few minutes deftly proving your point. Chiefs put in one good shove and suddenly the Stormers start making silly decisions
With the stormers tour consisting of the highlanders, hurricanes, waratahs and force. The SA conference is definitely still wide open..
Jeez Stormers, suddenly I feel like I’m watching the Sharks?
FULL TIME
STORMERS 19 – 28 CHIEFS
Either I was the kiss of death for backing the Stormers or SARU needs to force all SA unions to employ a full-time shrink. That last 15 was difficult to watch.
Anyway, hard luck Stormers fans, that Chiefs team is poetry in motion.
whoops…. 🙂
Saturday’s results.
CRUSADERS 34 – 6 LIONS
HIGHLANDERS 26 – 19 WARATAHS
REDS 0 – 29 BRUMBIES
STORMERS 19 – 28 CHIEFS
CHEETAHS 10 – 27 SHARKS
@robdylan (Comment 185) : don’t believe your whooops you backed the Stormer to jinks them……….. I like you style!!!!!! 😉