In a rare bit of good news in this rather bleak week, the Sharks have confirmed, via their website, that Willem Alberts returns to selection contention ahead of the Lions match.
The “wrecking ball” duo of Alberts and Jean Deysel have suffered a nightmare start to the season between them, both battling injuries early on (and in Deysel’s case, now suspension). The off-season acquisition of Renaldo Bothma has been a godsend in light of the “curse” afflicting the regular wearers of the number 7 jersey and it’s the Puma who is expected to start in the blindside flank position this weekend, with Alberts set to play off the bench.
Whatever the case, any experienced player coming back into the frame right now has to be seen as a blessing, given how injury and suspension has cut a swathe through the Sharks’ leadership ranks.
Tweet
That is good news. Let’s hope Alberts brings some sanity back to the team.
Glad that the coach is going to give his own “red cards” to players who he feels play dirty in any match, even if they are not given any official suspensions.
I’m still feeling numb towards the Sharks set up after last week. So not even easy to comment.
@[email protected] (Comment 1) : where did you get the impression that the coach was going to do that?
The article I wrote yesterday was my own opinion of what he should do, not any statement from him that he will do it.
Well at least a small flicker of light at the end of the tunnel with Alberts back, albeit from the bench this week. Hopefully he can stay injury free for a while and take control of this team and guide them in the right direction on the field.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : I wish they would do that Rob. Hurt the guys in the pocket and then they’ll think before they act.
Great news for the Saarks! I know he’s more a lead by example kind of guy, but watching him absolutely monster a few guys in the tackle situation should get the guys around him going. Just don’t break down again please!
A post that Alberts is available for selection this coming weekend goes up at 09.12,by 10.20 there are a grand total of 4 posts on the subject probably indicates the extent of apathy Sharks supporters are beginning to feel.
Sharks still favorites for this game
@Zibbie (Comment 7) : Wahahaha funny man – scared of that favourite tag ne?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 6) : Sadly you’re right. The guys need to restore the faith of a lot of fans in them.
Welcome back Willem. Hoping he can stay injury-free the rest of the season.
Good news….I think Alberts should be asked nicely to play lock. Any news on Stephen Lewies? Gary, please play Sithole at 13.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 6) :
That’s because, let’s be honest here, Willem will do nothing to effect the game plan.
Willems best game plan is get the ball and run straight, from him, we want that.
I hate it that when a team struggles it is always about unhappiness. I believe there would be unhappiness, but I think most of it comes from frustration, because we the guys are completely clueless on the field. I am looking directly at the coaching staff and would love a few simple things bettered this week, but my faith is wavering if not shattered already.
I think our loosies should be:
Kanko
Bothma
Marcell
Alberts
Our backline ….
ZEILINGA PLEASE!
and Lionel to do bench duty.
Then
13 Sithole
14 JPP (if he’s fit to play).
I’d also love to see the Giant back to start, at least he brings some urgency, like Botma does. These guys were coached by Jimmy Stonehouse (was that a trick we missed?)
I’m also looking forward to the return of Lewies … Marco has been quiet.
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 8) :
lions always manage to loose when they are favorites . or when Rob starts backing us … 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 16) : Lol, I hear you. But with all the players we have out with injuries and suspensions and a lack of proper gameplan – deep down you know that your team are firm favourites for saturday 😉 Goodluck!!
I just thought about this:
Has anyone wondered whether it is effecting the Sharks that they have a bunch of players that has already given up on wearing the Bok jersey, mixed in with a number of players that just want to stay injury free, because they know they will wear the Bok jersey, mixed in with a few players that just came to Durban for a good time.
Guys that I have noticed are not playing to prove themselves:
Odwa, JPP, Frans, Lwazi, Kanko, Deysel, Wentzel, Botha, Jannie, Bismarck, Beast.
SP is just fighting to keep his form at an acceptable level.
The only guys unsure of whether they will or not is,
Lambie, Reinach, Marcell
The rest of the guys have not been given much of an opportunity to even prove that they are good enough to play for the Sharks. Andre and Zeilinga should get an extended run now and hopefully they will add some urgency.
I’ve been really disappointing in Kyle, but what can you expect after sitting on the sidelines for 4 years? Hopefully he ups his game.
The best SA teams are teams with young players still trying to prove a point.
Best SA players in this comp so far
15. Jesse Kriel/ Cheslin Kolbe/ Andries Coetzee
14. Kobus van Wyk, Johnny Kotze
13. Lionel Mapoe/Juan de Jongh
12. Damian de Allende
11. Anthony Volmink, Dyllan Lyeds
10. Handre Pollard/ Patrick Lambie’
9. Faf de Klerk/ Groom/ Pretorius/ Reinach
8. Warren Whiteley/ Duane Vermuelen
7. Warwrick Tacklenburg?
6. Jaco Kriel/ Marcell Coetzee, Siya Kolisi
5. PSDT/
4. Jacques du Plessis, Ruan Botha
3. Julian Redelinghuys,Vincent Koch
2. Scarra Ntubeni, Mbongeni Mbonambi
1. Steven Kitshoff, Coenie Oosthuizen
There is only 4 Sharks players I would even mention in a SA top performers side and those are PSDT, Marcell, Lambie and Reinach
@Letgo (Comment 13) : Good luck with that. Gold will still persist with JPP at center even though it only makes use of one aspect of his capabilities his size for defense. Never-mind the fact that he he can do so much more good on wing. I’m afraid Gold will continue in this trend until we are completely out of options and time to catch up.
@Letgo (Comment 14) : Stonehouse took no crap neither did John Mitchell hence there was no laxness and disinterest (like the sharks showed in the crusaders game). A hard coach always produces hard working players. That’s the trick.
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 17) :
haha . never .. wont admit it 😛
thanx . may the best team win . might be some banter this week . nothing personal tough 😛
@coolfusion (Comment 20) : Jake did not take any nonsense either – and he did not work out in the long run.
@Bokhoring (Comment 22) :
thats the thing that makes me worried for you guys . Some guys here are scream for John Mitchell to take over . he did not work out at the lions . i unfortunately dont think he will last much longer at the Sharks . Will only put the team in more trouble
@Zibbie (Comment 16) : Rob, I do believe that is a call to Action!! The Lions are favourites in my book…
Chuffed to have Alberts back. Kom Willem!!
@pastorshark (Comment 24) : yes. This week’s preview calls a Sharks loss. And that’s honest because frankly I don’t see how the hell we can win.
@Letgo (Comment 18) : Interesting take on things. I think you have something there.
@Zibbie (Comment 23) : Mitchell has never worked out anywhere in the long run.
He did recently say that he has mended his ways so maybe he needs a look in somewhere.
@Letgo (Comment 14) : @coolfusion (Comment 20) : @Bokhoring (Comment 22) : @Zibbie (Comment 23) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 28) : Interesting discussion. This should make for some interesting reading: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/66826715/new-study-highlights-the-differences-between-rugby-coaches-from-new-zealand-australia-and-south-africa
It’s a study that highlights the differences between rugby coaches from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa
@robdylan (Comment 26) : I hear you…a surprise would be nice…but I think I’m going to be calling a Sharks loss on Superbru…for the first time…ever! 😯
Looking forward to having Big Willem for 4 or 5 games.
@Big Fish (Comment 31) : 4/5 games.
As in 64 minutes?
@vanmartin (Comment 29) : thanks – I’d never have known what it was from the URL alone 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 33) :
@robdylan (Comment 32) :
😆
@vanmartin (Comment 29) : Personally I believe if at the age of 21-33 you need a coach to yell at you in order to perform, you should not be playing professional rugby.
Sharks to win this weekend,Lions played out the last bit of adrenalin and energy they brought back with them from their tour ,last week.
That Bulls game was probably one too far.
Sharks have got to be up for it this week,they must be burning after last week.
I saw them all coming out of Mama Lucianos on Monday and they looked like they were hurting big time.
Anyone who believed in this team,up to two weeks ago and most of you did,must believe they have it in them to win this match.
@robdylan (Comment 33) : Doh! I never even looked at the URL 😳
@Bokhoring (Comment 36) : I agree but the study could spark some interesting debate. For instance, based on the findings it makes sense that John Mitchell should not be coaching in NZ or Oz but the fact that he’s also struggled in SA makes you wonder whether the study is over-generalising or whether JM just has an authoritarian style that even the SA sides find a bit too much. Similarly, was Plumtree’s failure to get a SR result with the Sharks because he better fits into the NZ way of coaching or were there other factors at play?
@Letgo (Comment 18) :
Thats pretty spot-on LetGo. Both parts of the post.
@vanmartin (Comment 38) : Plum is back to doing what he is really good at – coaching the forwards.
There is definitely some generalization there (you will always get the exceptions to the rule), but I think the study does to highlight the differences in overall coaching culture between the countries.
@Letgo (Comment 18) : Surely winning a Super trophy should still be motivation for players.
I reckon most Australian players could do with a bit of discipline!
@pastorshark (Comment 24) :
Beast has more Bok caps then the whole lions team put together 😛 should be a walk in the park really for the sharks 😈
@Bokhoring (Comment 22) : Sure but her question was about the energy and workrate of the players, not about how coaches work out in the long run.
And with Jake it was also higher than now because he was a hard man to please.
So my point stands the harder the coach the harder working the players will be. yes its good to have family culture and yes players must be happy BUT they must also be kept in line and a hard taskmaster with strict rules will produce discipline in the end.
@The hound (Comment 37) : Or so you hope? I must say Lions did NOT impress me last week. Apart from catching the bulls napping right at the end (and a little luck?)they werent as dominant as I would have expected and (yes I will say it again) Bulls were depleted in some VERY key areas Matfield Pollard Serfontein. I thought they would capitalize on that much more and they couldn’t seem to . The bulls will be bolstered when their key guys return, but how much better will the Lions get since they have almost all their tools in the box already? And how much more depleted must the bulls be before the Lio0ns can scrape up a convincing win? For that matter how many more men do the Crusaders need to lose in a match before the sharks can manage a win? 😉
@coolfusion (Comment 45) :
see . easy win for the sharks 🙂
@coolfusion (Comment 45) : How much more incentive can the Sharks have to win this match.
We all believed this team most of us till last Saturday.
No team becomes totally rubbish team. over night.
If anything it is a team that lacked purpose and direction,leadership and focus.
Well they now have purpose ,focus and hopefully direction and leadership.
Lions must be hurting physically from the effort they have put in in their last four games.
They do not have the depth of personnel that other teams have,and they are playing at the limits of their resources.
Sharks by 15
@Bokhoring (Comment 41) :
Only problem is by game 4 believe in the possibility of that goal, most have already plummeted. You see the guys pulling together, stringing in a couple of good performances … we don’t need motivation to perform against our countrymen for example. The Sharks was surprised by the Cheetahs, but came back nicely against the Lions and Bulls (we played well, I still blame the ref). I think our spirits were down against the Stormers and then motivation other than – we’re going to win this cup, is badly needed.
What in the last 20 years tells us that it is even possible for the Sharks and if you have a 1/4 record it’s hard to get yourself up for it.
Against the Cheetahs we wanted to prove a point. Against the Chiefs we were more lucky than anything else – we didn’t win that game, they lost it in the rain. And against the Force we were again woeful.
You don’t just show up for a Crusaders match and not get humiliated. Poor Marcel, Reinach and Lambie … were all over the place trying to salvage something, their Bok jerseys is on the line, afterall, and bad performances like this will not help them pip the contenders for their Bok jerseys.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 42) :
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. 🙂
@Zibbie (Comment 21) : Thanx – no problem I enjoy banter
@The hound (Comment 47) : Yes man! Hear hear!! 😛
@Letgo (Comment 48) : OK – I see your point. Once the team have given up competing for the cup, most of the players bar the ones that need to prove themselves for the Boks gave up altogether.
Makes sense.
My Superbru pick will be Sharks just because they are MY TEAM. Like Rob said dunno how the hell we gonna win but there is always a chance I suppose lol.
I take it you had Italian on Monday night? 😉
@The hound (Comment 37) : Stalking the poor sharks players now are we?
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 53) : Monday afternoon.
Iam a Sharks suporter and always back them to win,but I also believe Saturday will see a big turn around for the team.
Tough love,you have to sink right down in the gutter to earn the right to come back.
There is enough character,and integrity in this Union for us to stay down for long.
We needed last Saturday for the healing to begin,and watch it starts this Saturday.
@The hound (Comment 54) : I really hope you are right.
Like I said previously somewhere else – the Crusaders just came to show us how bad we really are this season. Hopefully Saturday’s hiding is a catalyst to us boys pulling up their socks and play as a team. Gonna be a tough game though no doubt.
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 55) : Yeah I think most people missed the fact that the Crusaders hit their straps for the first time this season,and I put my …… on the block and say that there is no super rugby team that would have held them on Saturday,definitely no South African one.
Dagg was at his most brilliant best,better than he has been for a year.
@The hound (Comment 56) : Agreed – no other Sa team would have beat them on Saturday.
True, Dagg was quiet the past year or so and was damn good against us. If he keeps this form he will give Ben Smith a run for starting position at fullback.
Good news. Willem is a player who always seems to give his all. I think that’s one of the reasons that he gets injured a lot.
@Ben (Comment 58) : So you reckon thats why S.P is available for every game
@The hound (Comment 59) : Last I checked – SP plays 15, Willem plays 7.
But I haven’t kept it a secret at all. I’m no fan of SP. Average at best in my opinion.
I quite like Alberts.
He’s a wee bit one-dimensional for me, but good, honest, grafting player.
He’ll provide a bit of go-forward.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 61) : Trying hard to be positive for a change?
@Ben (Comment 60) : Ag nephew….. 😆 😆 his post was actually very funny. Stop being so serious. 😉 Are you back in SA for good now?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 63) : Not serious. I’m sure Vinnie has a sense of humour. 😉
No uncle, only here for a month.
@Ben (Comment 62) :
Ahaha. No, not quite. Just call em as i see em.
@The hound (Comment 37) : Come on men…
@Ben (Comment 64) : 😆 I was talking about the Hound’s post.
Enjoy your stay Ben. 😎 Especially the food!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Zibbie (Comment 43) : Lions by 20… 😈
@pastorshark (Comment 68) : Ag man, be serious ❗ ❗ ❗
You really think we can hold them that close ❓ ❓ ❓ 😀 😀 😀
@Dancing Bear (Comment 67) : Oh, sorry.
Thanks, I’m loving the food and the weather!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 69) : 😆
@Ben (Comment 70) : Are you in Durbs the whole time or traveling?
@Ben (Comment 71) : Go look at my post on the Tim Swiel thread, it is very important. 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 72) : I’m at home. Far from Durban. Thought my uncle would know that. 🙄 😆 😉
@Ben (Comment 74) : 😆 when you said you were enjoying the weather, the only place in SA I could think of was Durban!!!
😛
@Dancing Bear (Comment 73) : Is it as important as you backing Frans to play at 10? 😈
@The hound (Comment 59) : Kakaka!
@Ben (Comment 76) : More important and more right! 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 69) :
@Ben (Comment 76) : Besides, we won the only game he started at 10 this year. 😛
😛
@Dancing Bear (Comment 78) : 😆
Any weather in SA is better than the weather in hell (Thailand).
@Dancing Bear (Comment 80) : 🙄 😛
@Ben (Comment 81) : Jammer my nephew, you should always have blue skies and moderate temperatures! 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 83) : We get two weeks of winter a year in Thailand. Weather is pretty nice then.
@Ben (Comment 84) : And that is when you decided to travel to SA??? 😉 😈
@Ben (Comment 84) : Try living in Singapore they don’t even get two weeks of winter.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 85) : Luckily not. Winter is in December.
@The hound (Comment 86) : When I say ‘winter’ I mean a high of 30 and a low of 20 with 60% humidity. 🙄
@Ben (Comment 87) : I would have traded our two and a half months of horribly cold winter we had. The Chesapeake Bay, which is salt water, was frozen solid for about 6 weeks, solid enough to ice fish on. Ice Breakers running 24/7 just to keep lanes open for commercial traffic. Worst winter I have ever experienced here on the Chesapeake.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 89) : Just remember what I said. Any weather in “SA” is better than the weather in hell. 😉 😆
@Ben (Comment 90) : My 2015 Winter! And remember this is salt water!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRW_2RL7nwY
@Dancing Bear (Comment 91) : I’ll get back to you once I’ve watched the video. I’m in SA, give me half an hour to buffer it first! 🙄 😈
@Ben (Comment 93) :