In a rare happening indeed this year, Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold has been able to name a completely unchanged match 23 for this weekend’s game against the Waratahs.
Coming up against a nightmare record in Sydney, where the Sharks have one only once in 18 years of Super Rugby, the continuity in selection after an encouraging showing in Wellington will be just what the doctor ordered for the beleaguered Sharks.
Bismarck du Plessis, Marco Wentzel, Renaldo Bothma and Lwazi Mvovo have all come through after injury concerns in the week and will take their places in the starting lineup. Willem Alberts, though, is still out of action, with Kyle Cooper again set to deputise as emergency back row cover.
Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Marco Wentzel (Captain), 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Kyle Cooper, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Andre Esterhuizen, 23 Waylon Murray.
Tweet
Wow! Nice to be able to name an unchanged squad for once. Just hope the guys aren’t playing with a light injury that could get worse because of the game. Let’s go Sharkies!
Ok
That really is a shocking record for the Sharks in Sydney. It’s not like the Waratahs have been consistent powerhouses in super rugby over 20 years so there must be more to it.
Watch this year be the year we stick it to our history. Of all years. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Having said that if I were on the Bru (which I’m not because I found it detracted from my enjoyment of wanting the underdog to win) I would go Waratahs by 18.
Surely Oosthuizen at 7 has tried really hard but not been good enough to warrant continuing in 7 jersey….maybe Cooper is better option if Majola isnt called.
Hopefully bissie can play a full game I would rather have Marais come in as cover for loosies than cooper.
Glad the 9-10 combo has been kept! I think the more Ungerer and Cronje play together the better they will get. Now to go get that elusive win! Go go buffalo! 😛
Tahs by at least 15.
That is good to hear. I would be happy if we can continue with the same plan as against the Canes – with improvements in defensive alignment, tackling and more accurate kicking.
@Feather (Comment 3) : I read somewhere that Hugh Reece Edwards’ only win as a Super Rugby coach was away against the Tahs. He has the record as the only coach with a better win record for away games than home wins.
@Another Nick (Comment 7) : Yeah I’m quite excited by those two to be honest. Cronje strikes me as a shrewd character, looking forward to his accuracy developing with some game time
Glad the guys that took knocks came thru…hopefully Mvovo can stay on the field…will be a big test vs Israel Folau. Of real concern is that the Sharks cant seem to keep Alberts fit for 2 games in a row- must surely cast serious doubt on him being picked for the RWC?
@SheldonK (Comment 12) : Pretty sure he’ll be picked for the squad, but it’s damn concerning seeing him break down so much. Maybe they are wrapping him in wool with the eye on the WC?
@Surprise Attack (Comment 11) : He looked very solid against the Canes, except for a few (frustrating) kicks to them, especially when we were 2 men down. Though I agree, with more and more game time he will get better. He’s got a beautiful pass!
Hoping to see some improved decision-making from Cronje. Hope the coaches back him to play his own game.
@Dragnipur (Comment 13) : Its a big gamble to pick a guy in a WC squad when he cant play 2 game sin a row…you almost lose 1 player then in your squad.
Pottie out injured for Tahs, or maybe he does not want to play against his new team. 😈
I’ll be rooting for the boys. All I really ask is to see some heart and I think it has been creeping back in to our game.
Happy B – day to Frans Steyn. 28 – it’s been about 20 years since he first came onto the scene.
Still with jp on center. Why?
@coolfusion (Comment 19) : I’ve a feeling our coach likes to give okes a good and proper go before pulling the plug if somethings not working out. We know JPs potential, if u were GG how long would you wait for him and his combinations with the backline to start clicking?
@Surprise Attack (Comment 20) : JP is not the best front on defender. He is quite tall and has a tackling technique that allows attackers running straight at him to often brush him off.
I think he will get better on attack (he was pretty good IMO against the Canes). It is his defense that concerns me.
@Bokhoring (Comment 21) :
Yeah, and he’s actually a pretty brilliant defender on the wing, so it’s kind of difficult to see him struggle in the midfield week in and week out. I think he’s been better on attack. I still think this selection still has a lot to do with HM and what he is looking at for WC selection. We’re looking at a Jean de Villiers/ JPP midfield with Habana and Conral/Hougaard on the wing.
Kan ons asb tog nou een goeie wen kry – sal seker niks verbeter maar dit sal darm lyk of daar nog lewe is. Kom Sharks asb. Ons glo nog julle kan!!!!!!
@Leon Schrenk (Comment 23) : Ek dink die manne is BAIE BAIE naby aan n wen. As dit nie die week is nie moet dit defnitief volgende week wees.
Also he will be heading off again isn’t it better to get the permanent man in on center? Play JP where he has made the most difference. Jake started this Centre experiment last year I would say enough time has passed to call it…? Actually didn’t Plumtree already try this with jp?
@coolfusion (Comment 25) : Hm picked him at centre after he told HM he actually plays centre mostly in Japan 😈
I would say it’s better to have him as an above average wing than a far below average center.
@coolfusion (Comment 27) : Could not agree more!His defence is also alot better with the touchline helping,cramping attackers space….cant wait for him to play that gevaarlike game again at 14!
Ja plumbtree started playing him there in 2012 already before he went to Japan. He still hasn’t set the world alight so I guess if it were my choice I would move him to where he will make an impact.
@coolfusion (Comment 29) : Yes Plum did, but back then it actually helped JPP’s defensive lines, these days its helping for nothing.
I would say we need his big form and defense on wing against folau and beale. Someone of his stature needs to guard the line.
Ag well. It’s probably not going to change. All I can say is that both plum and Jake showed some innovation and thinking out the box. Gary seems to be just repeating what they did with no real idea why they did it or gauging if it’s still the best plan.
@coolfusion (Comment 32) :
Jake mostly used Jordaan and Sithole. JPP was used there times. I don’t think Jake ever really like that combo. He tried it out and switched back to Sithole/Jordaan soon after.
I cant actually believe JP is still at 13 and Odwa is still in the team.
Odwas pace has been non existent for a few seasons with only his ‘solidness’ being a factor in his selection. The last few games have shown that even this aspect of his game has left him.
And JP battles with the intricacies of the 13 defensive channel.
Boggles the mind.
Tahs by 15.
So the team I would have picked with the players available on tour…
15. Steyn
14. JPP
13. Sithole
12. Esterhuizen
11. Mvovo
10. Lionel / Zeilinga (still feel Fred has something special just needs to be backed).
9. Ungerer
8. Bothma
7. Giant/ Lewies
6. Marcell
5. Marco
4. Ettienne/ Lewies
3. Jannie
2. Bissie
1. Beast
Reserves
Marco, Adriaanse, Stevens, Giant/ Oosthuizen, Cooper, Zeilinga/ Crone, Waylon, Odwa (just joking Hoffman in Waylon’s place, but seriously don’t even want that would rather move Zeilinga to 9).
@Letgo (Comment 35) :
I don’t like Ettienne at 7 at all and think both Lewies and Giant would offer more from this position. Both in my opinion are more mobile than Ettienne.
@Letgo (Comment 36) :
O and both have better carrying abilities than I have seen Ettienne display from 7,5 and 4.
Agreed oosthuizen is more suited to lock. As for Steyn at 15, sure any day. But only if we have a good nr 12. Esterhuizen is still very hit and miss and doesn’t seem to know about creating or exploiting a gap neither can he run a line. So for now Steyn experience at 12 is of far greater value and you can use mvovo or esterhuizen at 15 or even cronje if Fred ever finds form again.
@Letgo (Comment 35) : Unfortunately your side would have huge holes in midfield with Esterhuizen and Sithole defending. Giant way too slow for 7 but Lewis would work with giant playing next to Wentzel.
@coolfusion (Comment 38) :
Then it has to be Mvovo at 15 and Odwa at 14. JPP 11. Sithole 13.
I would have loved to see someone else tried at 7. Really don’t think Oosthuizen adds anything for us there.
It’s kind of a bummer that the coaches decided to take 5 locks and 3 loosies instead of dropping one lock Giant/Botha for Khaya or Johan Meyer. I would have loved to have seen these guys given a run. If they fail then we know, but they may have surprised and it just sucks that our coaches would rather play a lock and a hooker at loosie than take one of these guys.
I can’t believe that they are that bad.
I I had it may way Botha or Giant would have stayed (since Marco is captain I don’t see the point in playing another veteran so I would have kept Giant) and picked one of these guys for the tour.
So…
Johan Meyer
Bothma/ Giant
Marcell
Marco
Lewies/ Oosthuizen
or
Bothma
Marcell/ Giant
Majola
Marco
Lewies/ Oosthuizen
(I know Marcell plays openside now, but we all know he started out as and is probably more suited to the blindside).
@SheldonK (Comment 39) :
As opposed to our defense right now. 😉
I know, it has it’s issues, but I would have loved if the coaches was brave enough to experiment a little.
Ja you are right they can’t be that bad that you would rather pick a player out of position to cover loose. The cooper decision is still very strange to me.
Or even kleynhans the was such big aspirations for him but it seems he has been stuck in VC forever he needs to get exposure.
@Letgo (Comment 40) : He started out as a number 8.
Just saw the Tahs team for the game. Adam Ashley-Cooper is going to school JPP. 🙁
Folau in too? And beale? Needed jp on wing for those two.
Lol I know I’m new here but been reading Sharksworld long enough to remember Baldrick even. For two years many of us endured incessant discontent cause Plum refused to pick Zeilinga at FH for two years (and a fair few other bugbears), now all I hear all the time is how JPP can’t play centre…goodness me chaps
@Surprise Attack (Comment 47) : Do you disagree?
I do completely and utterly. The guy was magic on the wing way back when. I’ve always liked Sithole at 13 too. There’s no rest for this dead horse though
@Surprise Attack (Comment 49) : Oh hat, I agree with you is what I mean to say
Plum Heineke and Jake tried it. Didn’t work also just watch the game and let me know if you seem him as successful? It’s not like we have to give it time there is already data available. Not like we don’t have other options either so most of us are wondering what possible reason remains?
@Surprise Attack (Comment 50) :
@Ben (Comment 52) : Would you happen to know whether it’s possible to add emotis from the app perchance?
@Surprise Attack (Comment 53) : you can type them manually, I guess. I haven’t added any icons, though.
@Surprise Attack (Comment 53) : I type them manually mate.
@Surprise Attack (Comment 53) : @Ben (Comment 55) : I can give you a list of the ones I know if you would like?
Can you reply to someone directly from mobile page?
@coolfusion (Comment 57) : are you using the android app, or the mobile site?
@coolfusion (Comment 57) : I can.
On my PC now. Here’s the list. To make an emoticon just type it without the brackets..
(;)) = 😉
(:|) = 😐
(:x) = 😡
(:twisted:) = 😈
(:)) = 🙂
(:shock:) = 😯
(:sad:) = 🙁
(:roll:) = 🙄
(:razz:) = 😛
(:oops:) = 😳
(:o) = 😮
(:mrgreen:) =
(:lol:) = 😆
(:idea:) = 💡
(:grin:) = 😀
(:evil:) = 👿
(:cry:) = 😥
(:cool:) = 😎
(:arrow:) = ➡
(:???:) = 😕
(:?:) = ❓
(:!:) = ❗
Mobile site
@coolfusion (Comment 61) : Can you click on the arrow next to the user names?
Nah there’s no arrow. Using my Samsung s 5 and a browser session.
@coolfusion (Comment 63) : why not install the app, if you’re on Android? Much easier and smoother experience (if I do say so myself)
@coolfusion (Comment 63) : I’m using the exact same phone.
Ja probably better to get app. My phone is the kzoom. Just installed Firefox much better than the default browser but still no arrows next to commenter names.
@coolfusion (Comment 66) : I’ve got the normal Samsung Galaxy S5.
The arrow only appears in the normal browser version not the mobile version. Downloading the app now.
@coolfusion (Comment 68) : Is your Javascript enabled?
@coolfusion (Comment 68) : @Ben (Comment 69) : Go to Settings – Content Settings – Enable Javascript
@Ben (Comment 70) : On your default browser.
@Ben (Comment 71) : Thanks I’ll try that. Meantime I loaded the app. Much better.
How do you refresh on the mobile app?
@Ben (Comment 60) : Thank you sir, much appreciated
@coolfusion (Comment 73) : I have a refresh button at the top, next to the url.
@Surprise Attack (Comment 74) : You’re welcome. 😉
The more I see the more I wonder?!?!?!?!? Someone at the Sharks has lost the plot!!!!!!!!!!!
@Ben (Comment 75) : No I mean the mobile app the android one.
@coolfusion (Comment 78) : Oh, no idea. I’m not using the app.
@coolfusion (Comment 73) : pull down from the top of the screen and release
@coolfusion (Comment 78) : check this post:
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2014/09/23/a-sneak-preview-of-sharksworld-for-android/
and this one:
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2014/10/02/sharksworld-for-android-get-the-updated-goodness/