This has yet to be confirmed by any official sources at the Sharks, but we have it on good authority that fullback SP Marais will not be available to tour with the team due to a knee injury sustained against the Bulls on Saturday.
The former Kings player, himself on the field as an early replacement after Odwa Ndungane went off with concussion, apparently picked up the injury soon after taking the field and played through the pain for roughly an hour; later tests revealed a meniscus tear, requiring surgical correction and an 8-week lay-off. Doing the maths, Marais appears to thus have played his last Super Rugby game for the season.
This fresh injury blow, when added to concerns about Ndungane’s availability, creates somewhat of a selection poser at fullback for the Sharks. Jaco van Tonder, the next man in line, has himself been ruled out for the year due to ACL reconstruction surgery; should Ndungane not be able to pay in the 15 shirt, the Sharks will need to turn to Lionel Cronje or Frans Steny in the last line of defence, or perhaps even resurrect the idea of playing Lwazi Mvovo there – this latter plan seems to have died along with Jake White’s departure.
Whatever the case, we wish SP Marais all the best for his recovery.
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JPP can also play fullback. How is he injury wise?
Maybe the Paul Jordaan idea will get a look in.
Oh bloody joy.
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : Maybe the originator of the Paul Jordaan idea (I think it was Big Fish) should send Gold a fax. 🙂
Injuries have been a nightmare this season…I say make a plan for the next game and then put Frans Steyn there for the rest of the season!
@Dragnipur (Comment 3) : That is really an offensive comment,I have probably been his severest critic but to celebrate his injury is seriously uncouth.
@The hound (Comment 6) : I read it as a sarcastic comment related to the fact that there’s yet another injury blow to the Sharks. Like SP or not, we wereVERY thin at fullback. Now it’s dire.
@vanmartin (Comment 7) : Regardless, hope the surgery goes well SP!
And nothing of value was lost (Best of luck with the surgery though).
@vanmartin (Comment 7) : Well if you were right I apologise,if you are wrong I hope he apologises.
He may not have been 100% on form but he was making some progress and he is still one of ours. So I feel for the guy. Hope he makes a full recovery and can play on cc again. We are running out of 15 ‘ s Frans should come back from suspension so he can take up that jersey.
@The hound (Comment 10) : You raise a valid point though. Let’s take care about how we phrase things in an injury thread.
@coolfusion (Comment 11) : Take a leaf out of the Bull’s book,try Reinarch on the wing, we have good 9’s we are not utilizing ,move Lawazi to 15 and play Steyn at 10.
Odders will move to 15 with both Mvovo and (soon) Steyn covering. Would like to see Jordaan given a chance as well.
The thing about Frans Steyn is he never lacks confidence,and wherever he is picked he believes he has the right to be there.
Fred’s problem on Saturday was he was like a deer in the headlights,and was beaten by the responsibilty of the occasion,something that never seems to phase Frans.
Best way to remedy a team with a nervous disposition is to have a confident 10,nobody else in that squad can do it.
@The hound (Comment 13) : I like the thought of Reinach on the wing (though it will never happen, and Reinach will probably throw a hissy fit should the coaches suggest it).
Imagine a back three of Jordaan, Reinach and Sithole – Crazy speed 😯
I would start Odwa at 15 for the Highlanders, and then play Frans there for the rest of the season.
Aw man Sharks can’t get a break. I guess this explains his performance dip in that game. Hope the surgery and recovery goes well.
As for who takes the no. 15 jersey, I’m hoping it’s Jordaan. I’ve heard that he played there at under 21 level (among every position barring 9).
@FireTheLooser (Comment 16) : Reinach is better at 9 than we realise. The issue is trying to play off 10 with a playmaker at 9. To get the best out of Reinach you need to let him play his game. With a nervy 10 it might be a better plan to play off 9 anyway
Fullback also has to catch high balls and his positional play needs to be excellent. Do we have any evidence that Jordaan has these attributes?
My dream 2016 backline:
9 – Ungerer (Intelligent)
10 – Lambie (Intelligent/BMT to burn)
11 – Mvovo (Pace, Pace and then some)
12 – Esterhuizen (Bone Breaker)
13 – Sithole (Strong and Quick)
14 – Reinach (Proven Game Breaker)
15 – Jordaan (Proven Game breaker)
All the best to SP on his recovery…i also reckon Odwa to fullback and lets now finally give Jack Wilson a start on the wing to see what he can bring to the team. Perhaps he can also cover fullback if need be….
What happened to Tyler Fisher?
@robdylan (Comment 19) : But those stupid mistakes of his – for every good thing he does, he messes up somewhere else…drives me nuts.
@Bokhoring (Comment 20) : He played wing for SA u/20 – so that would make him adept to the back three.
He started out as a fh (apparently played a few games for the Sharks CC or VC team) – so he would probably be able to kick.
Have stated before and will state again. Reinach, IMO, is the best scrumhalf in SA by a distance. Shifting him to wing will not only mess up his chances of playing RWC, but also leave us with inexperienced 9 and 10 combination. I’d prefer not to see another thrashing this season thanks.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 24) : I don’t believe that claim at all.
@gregkaos (Comment 26) : RWC scrummie will be Fourie du Preez, second choice could well end up being Vermaak – and if it wasn’t for Paige’s injury, he could well have unseated Reinach as 2nd/3rd choice scrummie.
@gregkaos (Comment 26) : I don’t think Reinach is as bad as many say he is, but IMO currently the best scrumhalf in SA is Rudy Paige.
@Bokhoring (Comment 28) : I don’t think he is bad at all. When on song, he is probably one of the best in the world. The problem is consistency. He blows hot and cold, and that frustrates the hell out of supporters as we never no which Reinach is going to pitch.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 27) : Yup. FdP is the best in the world, no arguments there, but he is not in SA.
Paige has a long way to go but will eventually get there.(For the Boks that is) Haven’t watched him that closely but from what I’ve seen he is good when Bulls are going forward but not when they are on the back foot. A lot of areas of his game need work.
On attack neither of Paige or Vermaak run support lines like Cobus does. Have been keenly aware of this since BV pointed it out in his column.
Just for the record I do believe that Cobus also has a long way to go before been FdP good but he’s the closest we’ve got.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : Rob the issue with Reinach although very good in open play is that his service is substandard, his kicking is even worst, every single flyhalf that has played with him has struggled with form. The flow of the backline also gets depressed with him playing as he is late to rucks and always busy looking for opportunities for him self, instead of doing his job first and then start looking.
@Another Nick (Comment 29) : Reinarch’s problem is that he is a maverick,even he never knows what he is going to do till he does it.This is very unsettling for the rest of the backline.His normal instinct is to put himself in the best position for his own personal game.Only when those options are closed does he pass the ball on,with the opposition centres attached to it.
Even a huge talented flyhalf like Pat struggles with him.
We need a 9 to give our 10 the kind of space that Paige gives Pollard.
@Another Nick (Comment 29) : When he turns it on, he’s as effective as an angry Kockott, but he’s also more than willing to lumber around like he’s on holiday…with the occasional implosion of all common sense – all of this is normally on display in every game he plays.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 31) : Snap
@FireTheLooser (Comment 21) : I like what you saying there.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 33) : Still there are very few players with his explosive speed,like to see his time over 50 metres.Would be a great wing.
@gregkaos (Comment 30) : What Uli and Hound said (@Uli Boelie (Comment 31) : @The hound (Comment 32) : ) 😉
@gregkaos (Comment 30) : Yes they might not run supporting lines, but look at what Paige has done for the Bulls, He is doing a Halfback job and doing it quite brilliantly if I may add, since he has come on, the Bulls have been a total different side.
@The hound (Comment 32) : Amen, hence why I always supported McLeod, although maybe not the best scrummy in the world, he always played for the team. Lambie was always his best playing with him.
@The hound (Comment 36) : Actually my preference for him on the wing,is probably influenced by fading memories of his father on the Bok wing in the few tests he played Now he had gas,he held the S.A 400 metres record for a few decades.
News I just heard. Apparently only 3-4 weeks so SP should be back after the tour.
@robdylan (Comment 41) : Good for him.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 38) : Yeah, I don’t totally disagree. Problem is we’re comparing Paige to Houggard as a scrumhalf. Phenomenal wing, errrr….not so much at scrumhalf.
Having Pollard on form and the Bulls regularly winning the collision battle up front is a massive boost for Paige and would be for any of the good 9s in SA.
Cobus has regularly had to deal with very poor ball from rucks, and lineouts and has still scored 2 tries and produced 4 try assists (ranked 3rd in SR).
Firstly, why on earth do we think Paul Jordaan wll be played at 15? He is small, not the greatest hands. And he can kick but thats like saying Alberts can kick. So we basing this purely on him being quick? Eish. Yes this injury has left us quite thin…but i see no reason why the VC 15 cant play? Think thats been Alcino Issacs if im not mistaken? If he isnt next best then why is he playing in the VC team? Odds are Cronje will fill the spot but please not Jordaan.
@gregkaos (Comment 43) : I think if you look back at how the season started for the Bulls Pollards form only started the day the Sharks played them at loftus, that the same day Paige started for them at scrummy, up to then van zyll played for them with hougie on the wing.
See that’s my issue with Reinach supporters, everyone thinks he is great due to him scoring tires, tries is not everything. Something I would love to see is how many tries have our wings and centers scored since Reinach has been scrummy, vs say McLeod.
@SheldonK (Comment 44) : About the same height and weight as Ben Smith.
@SheldonK (Comment 44) : I am not totally against that idea, remember what everyone had to say about Mvovo at 15? very similar. It might also extend his rugby life, since he is so injury prone.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 45) : I do not think he is great just because of his tries. Please try not build a straw man here.
Thought it would be quite clear due to the vast amount of other stuff I’ve pointed out.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 45) : This is not a new argument.
Most Joost fans will test to the fact that for years he was the Boks leading try scorer.
But is that the reason why he was a better 9 than Fourie du Preez/??
@gregkaos (Comment 48) : Sorry I haven’t been following you in such great detail.
@gregkaos (Comment 46) : A lot bigger than Gio,Kolbe,Robinson and probably Christian Cullen as well
@The hound (Comment 49) : I was going to bring up Joost, the boks suffered just as much under him, Him being so tall made his passing slower, and he also always tried to see if he could do something before passing hence the backline suffered. Fourie du Preez must be the most complete half back we have ever had in the country.
@The hound (Comment 51) : and Cullen like Speeds and side step.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 52) : Look with Joost I am biased,hug huge fan.I was at the World cup final and saw him take down Jonah Lomu
@The hound (Comment 54) : Yea, but does one tackle make you a comlpete half back? 😕 😉
@Uli Boelie (Comment 55) : No but one tackle made me a lifelong fan.He was a magnificent rugby player
@gregkaos (Comment 46) : Thats about the only thing the maybe have in common- although ive stood next to both and Smith definitely taller by a fair [email protected]Uli Boelie (Comment 47) : Fair comment regarding Mvovo, but we cant assume that anyone would flourish just by throwing them in. Especially coming off a long term serious. injury having played zero rugby. The coaches have hardly looked at Mvovo for 15 so im just wondering what makes us possibly think they would consider Jordaan there?
@Uli Boelie (Comment 45) : I agree re your assessment of Reinach. His first option is to pick up and run and if not on then pass. Which means your 10 is unsure when the ball is coming. Backline timing is off and often space on outside is shutdown resulting in us crashing it up. A 9 should clear quickly and effectively and then run support lines and snipe on the odd occassion. What some may also not have noticed is that because Reinach runs often he gets caught up and the opposition turn the ball over and find space in behind our backline where Reinach should be covering
Mvovo should have been playing the all season, I thought he was excellent at 15 last season and provided real impetus on attack.
I went to the watch the Baby Boks play last night, and if we are looking for a short term stop gap at 15, I would look no further than the 15 that played for the Varsity Dream team last night, he is safe under the high ball and has pace to burn, and while they make him a short term offer, the scrummie that played for the Varsity team is a gem…. Get him on board asap, “hy maak blits vinnig skoon” unlike our current 9’s
@morne1 (Comment 60) : Nice. Who is that? Also how was Inny for the VC team? Sounded like he had a good game.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 27) : Pienaar will probably still be second choice for the Boks.
@SheldonK (Comment 57) : I recall that Jordaan is one of the strongest players in the team – can apparently bench press 180 kg. So much like a Cullen in that respect.
However if an experiment is to be made with him at 15, the Currie Cup is the place to try that.
@gregkaos (Comment 61) : Rhyno Smith, he also did very well in the Varsity cup, I think he picked up the Player that Rocks award, yes Inny had a good game, the no 5 for the Junior boks is a Monster, the guy is huge!!
@SheldonK (Comment 57) : Not saying it will be all sun shine and roses, but it might be something worth looking into. He has the skill and speed to preform there, and give the Sharks some much needed whip effect from the back.
@morne1 (Comment 64) : Haven’t seen Ryno play but apparently really good.
@Bokhoring (Comment 62) : Forgot about him…not a very memorable player 🙄
I wonder what ever happened to Earl “the pearl” Rose? Wasn’t he one of the pioneers behind the infamous ‘rugby gloves’?
@Another Nick (Comment 68) : Probably the only player to look more ridiculous than Kolbe 😈
@FireTheLooser (Comment 69) :
😆
@Uli Boelie (Comment 65) : No fair point…if he was fit and had been involved all season id say sure give it a go. But coming back from injury and trying a new position im not so sure about. Id prefer the experiment at club or VC level first
@Bokhoring (Comment 62) : I just threw up in my mouth – twice and swallowed – when you said his name. 😡
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 72) : You’d better get something for your stomach then before you watch the RWC this year. HM rates the guy. 🙄
@Bokhoring (Comment 73) : I have a better alternative: drink enough before the game to like all the players and the gameplan lol
@Bokhoring (Comment 73) : Well if he plays anything like the way he plays for Ulster then all is good. He’s been freaking awesome for them. Not the same when playing for the Boks.
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 74) : Is there that much booze in the world?
@gregkaos (Comment 75) : He doesn’t suit the Bok gameplan, or rather it’s the square peg into a round hole argument. Pienaar is brilliant for Ulster and is consistently in the Heineken/Champions Cup Dream XV because they play a gameplan which utilises his talents. HM has a gameplan he believes in, nothing will change his mind unfortunately, and brings in players not suited to it and forces them to play that gameplan. They then look bad, we all get pissed with the players and then we lose to Ireland and Wales.
Ok, now I’m getting down just thinking about the RWC. @RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 74) : let’s share some of those drinks.
@StevieS (Comment 76) : You’re right, probably not enough booze in the world. But a shot of Stroh Rum dropped in a Black Label draught and downed should do the trick – well at least 2 of them would get you “there” (there being the place/feeling where you don’t give a sh!t) quick lol 😉
@RedSharkUtd82 (Comment 77) : Lol sounds potent 😆
I see the Aussies have changed their eligibility rules. Looks like we could see Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau and, perhaps, even George Smith back for the RWC.
@StevieS (Comment 78) : Yep sure is but those were the days when we were young and reckless lol
Been in Mozambique so missed 2 games (Lions & Bulls)but have read a lot to catch up.How much longer is Lambie out?We could use Lambie @ 15,Frans @ 10,Esterhuizen @ 12 with Mvovo & Sithole on wings.That doesn’t seem such a bad idea.If Lambie is not going on tour,use Lionel @ 10 (Zeilinga to rotate)with Mvovo @ 15.Leave Frans to do the 10/12 thing.Has Anyone thought of Sbu at 15?Just questions to catch up 😆
Pardon the ignorance or lack of knowledge, but what about Tyler Fischer at fullback?
@markm (Comment 80) : from what I’ve seen of Sithole’s hands… eish.
@The hound (Comment 13) : i dunno about that. Frans doesn’t have the creativity at 10 I would have liked to see he is more of a technician at 10. last year people blamed Jakes uninspired gameplan but a lot of the blandness also came from the fact that our 10 didn’t have the flair a FH should have and be able to dictate plays. Frans is a seasoned nr15 and if I had to put him anywhere but center it would be at 15.
@The hound (Comment 32) : Agreed 100%. Reinach will never be satisfied with just delivering good service putting his guys into space, and that has been his downfall many many times.
@SheldonK (Comment 44) : Steyn would be our best bet. But I agree you MUST have an educated boot at 15 and you MUST have someone who is HUGE on defense and can handle the pressure. Steyn fits all those but he probably will not be chosen there. Personally I think Cronje would be much more creative at 10 than Frans would be.
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 81) : Its not ignorance at all. However some feel that due to the lack of performance of our VC team and players in that team we should not be promoting guys from there. I personally think if these guys get a call up it may just improve their current game, and its not like our current incumbents have been doing much better this year.
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 81) : Tyler is struggling to be a regular starter for the VC team. Doubt he’s ready for SR
@markm (Comment 80) : Lambie is injured if he were available there is no way that Frans Fred or Lionel would ever be considered for 10. Lambo is the best.
the fates must be conspiring against poor Jaco v Tonder. If he wasn’t injured shortly before this he would have had his shot now….Someone pick up the phone and ask Louis Ludik what he’s busy with.
Or call Riaan Viljoen, the jap season is over isn’t it?
In my opinion, Frans (and SP for that matter) seem to lack the acceleration into a gap from 15, once Frans gets that big body moving, he is actually pretty fast, but but he does not have that explosion it takes to hit a gap from the back. With all the talk about Odwa’s loss of pace, he still seems to have that explosiveness to get through a gap from the back (as does Mvovo).
In last year’s currie cup, Zeilinga seemed to suffer from a severe loss of confidence and played generally very poorly. Cronje stepped in and seemed to provide a certain unpredictability that was effective in opening up defenses. The general consensus here was that Cronje was much preferred at 10 last year. I just don’t understand why he has not been given more opportunity since I’m afraid Zeilinga has shown no signs of coming out of his slump of last year.
When is Claasens going to be available to the Sharks?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 92) : Last I heard he had to fulfill his responsibilities at Toulon. Since they are playing French top 14 for which the semi finals and finals are only 6-13 June I would assume mid june if not end june?
Respect SP. 😎
Playing through an injury like that (if it’s true) takes some serious guts. Even though I don’t rate him at all, I do wish him a speedy recovery.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 92) : Hopefully it’s soon. I’ll tell you why I say that. He probably won’t be the answer to our woes at 9 but I do believe Reinach will learn a trick or two from him. Especially concerning the basics of a 9.
15 at the sharks has always been a massive pair of boots to try fill and expectations are way higher than at other clubs. You have to measure up to legends like Montgomery, Joubert, Tereblanche not an easy task.
I see some people are still calling for Frans to play at 10. Did we not learn from his last outing in the 10 jersey??? 🙄
@Ben (Comment 97) : The feeling I am getting is that everyone wants frans in their team as long as he doesn’t touch the ball they happy with that…. Sad actually.
@coolfusion (Comment 85) : Frans is not a 15, at best he can play there, but its not his best position.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 99) : Frans likes putting in big hits and kicking the ball very far…he has not show a willingness to evolve his game past this.
@coolfusion (Comment 96) : That’s probably why so many of us think of him as being a very poor fullback…where he is probably just a very average fullback, with an average boot, average defense and average attacking ability.
I feel bad to say what i think BUT am i the only one who thinks this is good news
What happened to “Percy” Mvovo?
I thought Jake reckoned he would be the next big thing at 15?
I’m also one who thought Steyn should have specialized at 15 years ago already, but it seems that moment has passed.
I also doubt that’s where he wanted to play, he believed he was a centre, and I’m not convinced that he is the biggest “team first” person there is.
Can Steyn’s supporters please explain to me what he actually brings to your team. Twice he has been sent off, twice he didn’t look very remorseful when leaving the field. Even if he feels that he is the victim, surely he should feel somewhat sorry for leaving his team mates in the lurch?
The so called “donkey boot” argument also doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s been many years since he slotted those penalties against the All Blacks. When last has he kicked a 50m plus goal for the Sharks?
Lambie did it last year against the AB’s, Pollard will do it almost 9/10, even Sias booted a penalty close to 60 odd meters against the Bulls. So it’s not as if it’s exclusive to one player, most kickers lately will kick penalties as far or further and more accurate than him, and even out of hand as well.
From an outsiders view point, this love affair with a guy who clearly doesn’t worry to much about anything other than his own interests first boggles my mind.
Frankly, IMO, none of the Sharks who play in Japan have brought anything to your team. From the Lions, Elton also plays there, and one could see how he has lifted his game, gotten fitter looking and has improved himself and his team.
Schalla from the Stormers….well, it doesn’t matter where he plays, he almost always produces.
The 3 from the Sharks have, IMO, not brought anything to the team that can be seen as positive so far, no stand out moments, except for the wrong reasons in Steyn’s case
@FireTheLooser (Comment 100) : You are a confused boy.
”Frans likes putting in big hits and kicking the ball very far..
”he is probably just a very average fullback, with an average boot, average defense and average attacking ability.”
Which is it.can’t have a guy who puts in big hits with an average defence,or a guy with an average boot kicking the ball far.
So far I still don’t know who you are touting at 10 or 15,give us your sugestions
@coolfusion (Comment 89) : Is is that bad? I’d rather not have anyone at 15 than either Ludik or Viljoen. Clean air would have more of an impact than any of those 2 plodders.
In all fairness I think we must look at this season and take out the positives… my team I would pick for this tour if all fit is 15. Mvovo 14.Jordaan 13.Sithole 12.Esterhuyzen 11.Reinach 10. Zeilinga 9.Hoffmann 8.Kankowski 7.Bothma 6.Coetzee 5.Lewies 4.Oosthuizen 3. Jannie 2. Bissie 1.Beast…
@Seth101 (Comment 9) : exactly
@benji (Comment 107) : this may now force the Sharks to get a proper 15 from wherever and fix this position and none of this nonsense about moving players out of position to fill the 15 gap
@The hound (Comment 104) : I’m looking at confused. 🙄
First statement – Frans Steyn
Second statement – SP Marais
Do pay attention in class 😉
As for CR enough of the smoke blowing,inthe games against the Lions and Bullarinas it was plain to see what proper 9’s do versus a rank shocker
@Stiaan (Comment 106) : You lost me with Hoffmann at 9.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 100) : I think Steyn is getting flack for the wrong reasons, you say evolve his game, but last year had didn’t have a choice but to play no10. He did darn well for us there in any case, even if it means we didn’t score allot of tries or had flashy games. He did a solid job there you can say what you like. The year before that he was injured for most of the season and only came back in that storming Final against the Stormers which he Tackled the crap out of them for us to win.
Point I am making is he has not had the chance to establish him self and play enough at no12 for the Sharks since coming back to us. Is this another case of when he leaves everyone one is up in arms about how badly our no12 stocks are? I think so. I still say his best rugby would be played if he moves to the Cheetahs.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 112) : As much as I like Frans – I just haven’t seen him offer anything other than his big boot and his big tackles.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 113) : You are getting confusing again those are two massive things he adds plus playing with a huge amount of confidence.
That is a helluva a lot more than any of the other candidates for 10,12 or 15 have to offer.
Your summation of Henry Honnibal was probably can only tackle,not very quick and can’t kick..
@The hound (Comment 114) : Seems you are easily confused 😈
If you are looking for a fh with a big boot and big hits, then you probably don’t rate Lambie.
I must say i do like a backline of Reinach, Lambie/Cronje with JPP and Mvovo wings, Williams and Esterhuizen/Sithole centres, with Steyn at 15. Just personal preference of how id like to see Sharks play
@FireTheLooser (Comment 115) :WE don’t have Lambie.
The question is who do we play in his place.To me its an absolute no brainer,rather play a confident guy who can kick and can tackle than a startled youngster who can’t kick and can’t tackle and who has no BMT.
You still haven’t given us your prefernce,from the available talent.
@The hound (Comment 117) : I didn’t realise we’re playing “pick your sub”… 😉
Having Steyn at 15 is the most sensible solution, unless Odwa makes a faster than expected recovery – in which case the coaches will have Steyn at 12 – either way, give Steyn the kicking duties.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 118) : And who plays 10 till Pat comes back?
I would first fix 10 before 15.,and in my mind we have no better option than Frans at the moment.
@The hound (Comment 119) : Stays as is – Fred at 10
@FireTheLooser (Comment 120) : That boy lacks the BMT for what is coming up in the next 3 games. He could be destroyed for life
He needs to go back to Vodacom cup and get his confidence back.
He has talent but is a year shy of the big,big league.
Some guys like Frans are ready at 18,others like Gaffe,need to get there in stages.
@The hound (Comment 121) : Dropping Fred now will do far greater damage to his confidence than backing him will – this whole team lacks confidence, sending them to play VC rugby won’t fix that.
They got themselves into this hole, they need to prove to themselves that they are capable of digging themselves out.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 122) : exactly
@The hound (Comment 121) : you tell me how a player who last year was single handedly the key factor in the sharks beating the Tahs and now he doesn’t know his left from his right,something alse is at play here
@benji (Comment 124) : You forget that for the whole season we have been losing influential players every game,losing a guy like Bismark, P.SDT ,Frans Steyn,Deysel ,Lambie,all guys who whether you like them or not ,guided the game took the on field pressure for the rest of the team.
They were replaced by guys just trying to play their own positions,with no abilty to lift the pressure on the youngsters.
Fred playing in last years team under Jake White,where everyone knew their job and Fred playing in last weeks game where the team were expecting him to produce the game plan on the field are two different characters.
@The hound (Comment 125) : I think we also quick to forget Zeilinga was very average in the CC last year. As were a number of others. So is this a long term drop in form or is he just feeling the pressure to perform
@SheldonK (Comment 126) : No he is a good player ,but I doubt if he is a great player
When the ship is steady,with all hands on deck, in good weather Fred can steer the boat.
But when its blowing a hurricane and the captain has already left in the last lifeboat,it takes a massive ego to take that wheel.
Frans Steyn probably has a bigger ego than Renaldo and David Warner put together,I’d hand him the wheel..
@The hound (Comment 127) : I dont disagree with your thinking. My argument is yes Zeilinga is a good player but is he good enough for this level consistently? Bar 1 or 2 perhaps good game he has been below par. And this i feel is the Sharks problem throughout all levels…yes we have good players…but are they good enough consistently? Judging by the entire Union results over the last year or 3 id say no. This is based on the players that have remained…not those that brought success and have left since
@SheldonK (Comment 128) : @The hound (Comment 127) : @The hound (Comment 125) : @SheldonK (Comment 126) : gents I am hard pressed not to agree with you,the fact is the Sharks don’t have the personel anymore,no serious 10 all the great players are now past their best bar the smoke blowing