What we have long feared – yet also suspected – has come to pass, with the Sharks today confirming that Pieter-Steph du Toit has rejected the opportunity to renew his contract. A statement from the Union, released earlier today, revels that du Toit will leave the Sharks when his current deal ends on 31 October.
In paying his tribute to the departing du Toit, Sharks CEO John Smit expressed his disappointment that the player – in whom the Sharks have invested much since plucking him from schoolboy obscurity – did not feel he was able to commit his playing future to the Durban side. While not officially confirmed, it’s widely expected that du Toit will soon sign a contract with Western Province, since he’s cited the desire to be closer to family as one of his key motivators.
Clearly younger brother Johan, also contracted to the Sharks and living in Durban, doesn’t count.
“Our medical team has invested immense time and effort into Pieter-Steph’s rehabilitation and recovery process and we are saddened to lose him,” said Smit earlier today, “but I guess we cannot hold the player back if he has made up his mind.” Successive knee injuries have meant that du Toit has played only a smattering of games – 8 at Super Rugby level and 5 in the Currie Cup – over the duration of his last 2-year contract.
Du Toit thanked the fans for allowing him to be a part of the Sharks family – but given that so little of the loyalty of which he spoke in an earlier interview has actually translated into anything tangible, it’s unclear just how willing the average Sharks fan will be to accept that thanks.
Currently training with the Sharks Currie Cup squad, it remains to be seen whether Gary Gold opts to use du Toit at all during the upcoming campaign.
Tweet
This sucks! Hope we at least got some money from wp to cover his insane medical bills.
sorry, I know none of this is personal (or meant to be) but I just have to say.
WHAT A DOOS
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Agreed! But best he goes give us guys that want to play for the union.
Wish him all the best.
Unfortunate !!! I was expecting more from the youngster after all the Sharks have done for him.
Sharks were in a bit of a catch 22 … steven lewies turned out to be a bit more than a gap filler while we were waiting for piet steph to heal. Time for lewies to step up and become king of the park
I say invest in his younger brother that has yhe chance to step out of his brorhers shadow!!
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Exactly!
I know professional rugby blah blah blah but I value loyalty. ..play for the fans and the jersey…after they stood by you in difficult times. Im so gutted!
I cant give a shit about this guy. Im glad he left. If he hadnt given that interview, I wouldve wished him luck on his journey. All I see now is a yes man with screwed up knees. Let province have him. I promise you we dont need this type of guy in our team. Fucking laaitie talks too much thats his problem
I have made my thoughts heard but just to reiterate, what a disgrace!!! I hope he realizes that this will stick with him, and I hope WP know what they in for. For all they know they could have just signed a two year injury bill and then lose their player to France or somewhere else.
Wish you only the best PSdT. Would have loved to see you play more games in a Sharks jersey but no fan can accuse of not playing your heart out in the games that you did feature and for that you have my thanks. The comments in a previous interview are unfortunate but I trust you’ll learn from that and the fans will eventually get over it too. Give them some time.
Hope WP can teach him to pass a ball.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : 😆
Good luck PSdT. Thanks for leaving. I don’t want any player sticking around if he doesn’t want to play for us with all his heart.
Not a good buy for the Stormers. He’ll play a few seasons (when he’s not injured) and then Eben and him will probably go to France together.
@Sharkfinn (Comment 6) : If his older brother is anything to go by then I’d say get rid of him now.
@Dragnipur (Comment 1) : Not gonna happen.
@Dragnipur (Comment 1) : @Ben (Comment 16) : He screwed us over. Proper!
@Flintshark (Comment 4) :
Hear Hear! But let him go. Wherever he goes he’ll probably be injured most of the time!
I look forward to having someone more reliable and more hardy in that position.
@Sharkfinn (Comment 6) :
Yes!!!
Well we payed for mapoe to get fixed, then he got poached. Now PSDT. Lost all my respect for him seeing as he went back on his word. WP must be pushing the boat out money wise. Good riddance.
Well we expected this would happen, but still hurts..
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Definitely the leading contender for the DOOS of the YEAR award.
The powers that be clearly need to make the sign for that High Road offramp slightly larger
@vanmartin (Comment 22) : Ba-da-bing! Totally with you on this one…
Wow so much acrumony.
Let’s get one thing straight – the sharks didn’t do him a favour by attending to his injury problems.
Much more to this story than meets the eye. How the sharks couldn’t guilt him into stayingis beyond me. It’ll be in a book at some point I suspect t.
Welcome to WP steph. You’re more than just a mercenary here…
Very disappointing.
If he hadn’t given that interview, I’d be more inclined to wish him luck. I certainly don’t wish him ill fortune; he’s a talented player and I hope he helps the Bok cause, but in light of this rather acrimonious departure, I certainly won’t be upset if WP realise too far down the line that they’ve signed a latently-defective turncoat…
It just goes to show what a great job Mrs du Plessis did raising Bissie and Jannie.
If we hadn’t just signed Willie Le Roux and Coenie Oosthuizen, I’d be worried that this was indicative of how players view the omnishambles in which the Union now finds itself.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 24) : Acrimony
@MerckZ (Comment 25) : When you buy all your players you can’t really be surprised when they leave when things aren’t going well.
Train your own.
Thanks but no thanks,another case of super hype but no action in Sharkland again and way to much smoke blowing for this chap,I said it before SL is the real deal,you don’t get to be the key factor in beating the Crusaders at home if your second in line,no way,just gets no credit on this site
i wish the guys would chat with him its not a rugby but life reason for moving if was for cash he would of gone to uk
@VinChainSaw (Comment 24) : Vinnie, surely ‘guilting’ a player into a staying while trying to rebuild a union that by all accounts has had its fair share of internal strife is akin to relieving yourself on your own doorstep?
@benji (Comment 28) : Seems I’m struggling to find someone to agree with tonight. No credit? Many of us on this site were calling for Lewies to be picked in the Bok squad before it eventually happened.
@vanmartin (Comment 31) : Yes you did my mistake,I agree with you
@steve haag (Comment 29) : Couldn’t care less why he left, he said something then did the opposite, good bye and good riddance.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Respect Rob…..for saying what I was thinking all day. Let him fuckoff! Don’t need him, hope they have a moerse medical aid for him…..
Dis nou maar die lewe maar gelukkig is niemand maar niemand onvervangbaar nie – die jong manne moet net hard werk en glo hulle kan en die Sharks moet hulle die geleentheid gee dan vergeet ons gou van Du Toit. Ek dink allegeval hy gaan nie ‘n baie lang speel leeftyd he nie – teveel beserings – as ons weer hoor speel hy in Japan.
All a bit embarrassing for the young man given his previous comments of loyalty.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 27) : odd comment when this is about your Stormers buying a player. Do you ever pause to think before typing??
I suppose the tone of my comment will be a bit different than most on here today. I really liked this kid…still do. I am…or rather I was…a lock and I get a great deal of pleasure watching someone who knows his craft in this part of the game. PSdT does. He gave me great pleasure while he was here in Durbs. And he did give his all for the Sharks when he wore the jersey. I will never forget his role in the 2013 Currie Cup Final against WP…he was a monster and a match winner. And he showed great joy and emotion when we won. I will continue to treasure that. Thanks for all that Piet…and I wish you well in life and on the rugby field…
Having said all that, I am disappointed. I’m disappointed to lose a player I always enjoyed watching and supporting. And I am disappointed that he had to do all that talk about loyalty and then act against it. I am disappointed…but I’ll get over it.
I wish all our locks all the very best. I hope Lewies gets over his injuries and continues where he left off. And I hope we unearth another goodie…
@VinChainSaw (Comment 27) : So…I don’t really agree with your comment…we don’t buy all our players…in fact we’ve just witness our biggest spending spree ever. Everybody buys in the professional era, of course. No Province…not one…can say they don’t. And PSdT may hail from the Cape, but he was identified by the Sharks, plucked – as they say – from obscurity and developed here. The Sharks deserve some credit for that. As I said in my previous comment, I’m sorry to see him go. I wish him well. Life will go on…
…and that’s basically it…
@VinChainSaw (Comment 24) : Vin, the bug issue I’m having with this is that he said a month ago he’s staying out of loyalty and to repay the sharks for standing by him through thick and thin. I think weepee added a few more zeroes to their offer after that. Everyone has their price it seems.
So you could say he’s the ultimate mercenary. Something Vincenzo seems to forget…
@Seth101 (Comment 10) : I said much the same about alberts. But you guys seem to have enjoyed him…
@Dragnipur (Comment 20) : Not to forget that the sharks were in the process of poching mapoe. Lol
Well after the dust have settled and I had a good night’s rest I can think with a sober mind. PSdT leaving us might be a low blow considering the time the Sharks invested during his time injured. But he clearly does not want to stay and should rather go. Regardless of all his potential he has not represented us all that much and will not really be a big loss (Even thou quality locks aren’t exactly falling out of trees).
Sadly the comments made about loyalty will leave a bitter taste in most Shark Fans mouths as it cuts pretty deep. But that also shows that we value loyalty from a player and respect it immensely. Seeing that he was not as committed as he claimed, I’m rather glad he is leaving. Perhaps it will take longer for others to see it in the same light but I truly believe that we need players that actually want to play for the Sharks.
The million dollar question thou is whether or not his brother is cut from the same cloth? Do we chance it and invest in him?
In saying that, good luck to him and hope his injury woes are over. We (Bokke) need good locks regardless of the comments the make. 😉
I’m over him already. He plays half a season at best so maybe this move forces us to develop that position a little more retain or bring back some lost talent. We also need to do the same at hooker and tighthead.
I don’t quite understand the vitriol on this site. The guy wants to move on – let him move, and let us move on. Nobody is bigger than the team, but equally we need to respect players decisions. They are professionals – not the property of the fans.
I read somewhere there is also a fiance in Cape Town who now doubt had a big part in the decision to move.
Stormers will now end up with two sick-notes at lock.
Very surprised to hear he was leaving after all his comments about wanting to pay the Sharks back for investing in himm, blah, blah, blah – wonder what happened between then and this decision now, if only we were a fly on the wall!
PSDT…good player…very injury prone. Again Sharks are suckers for not tying down a guy to a contract and spending thousands on medical bills. I wonder if family pressure played a part and also the Sharks declining performances. Yes he probably shouldnt have said what he did, but having said those things how off the ball are the sharks guys to them let him go? Altho can we really be surprised knowing the sharks recent history of letting good locks walk out the door…Hargreaves/Muller/Sykes/Mostert/Skeate/Marais x 2/Bresler/Du Toit
@SheldonK (Comment 48) : Of that list, Mostert and Bresler were the big losses – Mostert was over all his injuries, and Bresler just never quit.
First of, I hope PSDT finds some fortune in the years to come. With the Sharks he’s been very unlucky, injury wise. He is such a talent and it would be a shame if we never get to see him reach his full potential (even though it will hurt to see him do it at another union). I think he and Etzebeth (if they stay injury free), will become a force in world rugby, like the one Bakkies and Matfield formed at the Bulls and the Boks.
Then, I think his excuses for leaving the Sharks are bull. He is trying to make up good reasons for going, but the fact is that only a few years ago that didn’t come into consideration for him. He could easily have stayed in WP instead of taking a deal with the Sharks in the first place.
Saying that he is looking at his career even after his rugby retirement is also crap – surely he will go to Europe for a year or two before coming back to SA.
The truth is, he got from the Sharks what he wanted – he got the recognition, he got the rehabilitation, he got the money and now the Stormers are offering him a similar deal money wise and because he probably wanted to play for them in the first place, this is now a better deal for HIM.
There is a lesson to be learned here. If at all possibly, sign players who love the Sharks and actually want to play for the Sharks – if you think there’s a Stormers or Bulls jersey in the players closet, then you probably shouldn’t sign him.
I wonder who Johan du Toit always supported growing up. I’d love to keep him and start a good provincial, brotherly rival between the two. Who knows, maybe we have the better, less injury prone, one.
PS. I think Stephen Lewies might just be able to prove a point with PSDT’s departure (that is if he can stay injury free).
Im now left wondering how accurate that interview was that has been so widely quoted, surely no one would say such open heartfelt things things in public only to go back on the whole gist of what was said.
@robdylan (Comment 2) :
Harsh!
Wow some vicious comments here for somebody I hope and believe will become a Springbok legend. I really hope he can stay injury free for a long period. I agree with Mark Andrews that he has the potential to be one of the greatest locks ever.
What a bunch of ‘dooses’ the Sharks fans have become. Bordering on Bulls mentality.
If this scenario was the opposite and Etzebeth came to the Sharks we would have all hailed the mighty Smit.
@steve haag (Comment 29) : As none of us are likely to be “chatting” to him very soon and you are in the loop, why not do the right thing and tell us the full story – it will probably help tone down bloggers comments here and give us a better understanding of the boy and his dilemma, which Im sure was the reason of your post.
@Zibbie (Comment 42) : All of that poaching was done by your team’s now CEO.
@Pokkel (Comment 53) : I agree that we would be happy to get him, even if just before that he had pledged his undying loyalty to his former team. I would also know that while getting a great player we were also getting someone whose word means very little – celebrate the palyer, not his character.
@Pokkel (Comment 52) : The only reason bloggers are so pissed of with him is because of those flowery, meaningless words he uttered.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 56) : Kind of goes against the new Sharks ideology (developed by Brendon Venter), where it is about the person first, and the rugby player second.
Character should be at the core of any great rugby player.
He should have just kept quiet during that interview…why butter us up with wonderfully orchestrated words, just to make a complete 180 and go against all your words of loyalty.
Speaks of poor character to me, in which case he’ll do well at the Streamers 😈
Anyway I wish PSdT grows to reach great heights in whatever he does, I also wish that his morality manages to grow to even greater heights. And then I wish that the morality of his agent and Gert Smal and whoever else was involved in luring him away, after they knew what he had said on an open forum, thus putting him in a massive dillema, also manages to grow.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 58) : Or how about having said in the interview, I love the Sharks but I really miss my home, my family and my fiance. Who of us would now be questioning his decision.
@Zibbie (Comment 42) : Yea that was a big lose for you guys, I was still in school and not as much of a rugby fan as I am now, but I don’t remember him ever saying anything like PSDT did and then going back on his word. That for me is the big difference here. Although feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
Actually a similar case to this was Lionel Mapoe but that was even more complicated.
@Bokhoring (Comment 46) : He sure as hell didn’t act like a professional.
@Bokhoring (Comment 46) : @Ben (Comment 62) : So why should he be treated as such?
@Ben (Comment 63) : He should be treated the same way he treated the Sharks and the fans. Without any respect or loyalty.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 27) : You mean like Duane Vermeulen, Kitshoff, the Greek etc, only difference is that they have left when things were going good and Kitshoff wasnt even a “mercenary”
Anyway how can you say things weren’t going good for the kid – he has played a few games, raised his profile immensely, and had top class medical treatment for most of his professional career.
Stank vir dank.
I think what we all need to remember is that journalists are very good and feeding players with there own ideas.
Asking questions like, you must feel like you owe the Sharks for everything they have done for you, as you haven’t been able to play that much in the last year or two, while they have put you through intensive rehabilitation.
So Piet basically had to say – No, I don’t feel like I owe them anything for that question not to be published exactly how the journo asked it.
I’m also assuming Mike Greenaway, who I believe was the journo in question, was trying to do his part in keeping Piet at the Sharks and thought that maybe this angle may help.
Don’t know if anyone has ever thought about that.
And I do believe PSTD when he says this was the toughest decision of his life to make, which just goes to show, even though the pro’s for him to go to WP, far outweighs the cons, he still had a hard time making that decision.
Why don’t you guys sit down and list the pro’s from PSDT perspective and tell me what you would have done.
You love the Sharks, they are offering you X amount, they have done so much for the start of your career.
WP is offering you X amount + (most probably a little more than the Sharks). You were born in the province and grew up in the province, probably grew up supporting the province. Your family lives in the province, has roots in the province and most probably a business of sorts that you would take over once your career in rugby ends (which judging by what you have experienced in the first few years of rugby, could be any day). You fiance lives in the province and probably do not want to move (I could think that she would insist to stay in her hometown – what to you do then?) WP is playing better rugby that the Sharks (currently). The Bok incumbent 4 is playing for WP and playing 5 with him could substantially increase your chances of cementing a spot in the Bok team.
Con’s of going to WP – you said some things in an interview and the Sharks fans might boo you when you come back to play at Kings Park.
Yeah, I’d take that deal. Let’s be realistic.
He made a good decision to go the the Sharks as a kid and I think his move to WP (as much as it might hurt us) was also the right decision for him.
If a am not mistaken wasn’t he one of the guys given a car a while back by our sponsors, when a few players got cars? Boy did he milk us for all he could.
@Seth101 (Comment 67) : I might be wrong, but I am sure I remember reading an article where a few players were given cars, can’t find it though.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 60) :
Who says he didn’t? A journalist does not have to say everything a player said to him. He can leave stuff out.
Maybe Steph still feels he owes the Sharks and maybe he does feel bad for leaving, but c’mon, he really has to do what’s best for him. If WP is what he believes is best for him, why the hell would we expect him to just grit his teeth and tough it out with the Sharks for another year?
He doesn’t owe the Sharks anything btw. That’s part of the deal.
We’re getting over emotional about this.
@Ben (Comment 62) : The definition of professional – “Engaged in a specified activity as one’s main paid occupation rather than as an amateur.”
@Seth101 (Comment 67) : Probably needed that car more than anyone else on the team. You can’t walk around too much with knees like his. 😈
I’m going to try and look on the brightside here despite massive disappointment…
Since the Boks mean more to me than the Sharks (controversial opinion on here I know :p), this will allow Eben and Piet to become the greatest ever lock combination!
@Ben (Comment 62) : @Ben (Comment 63) :
Ah, actually, he did exactly that.
Staying at the Sharks would have been an emotional decision, not professional. PSDT made a sound professional decision.
Would you agree that this move is better for him career wise? If so, is that not the best professional decision to make?
We are not acting professional, because lets face it, he is paid for what he does, we are not. Our emotions, passion and love for the game keeps us going back.
@Letgo (Comment 69) : “He doesn’t owe the Sharks anything btw…”
@Letgo (Comment 50) : “The truth is, he got from the Sharks what he wanted – he got the recognition, he got the rehabilitation, he got the money and now the Stormers are offering him a similar deal money wise and because he probably wanted to play for them in the first place, this is now a better deal for HIM”
Think that should require him to owe at least some loyalty, maybe not legally but morally. The thing is as you say he got all those things and then left at the first chance he got. That is why we are angry.
@Bokhoring (Comment 70) : @Letgo (Comment 73) : Is talking to the media not part of the profession? I’m pretty sure it is.
@SeanyJMc (Comment 72) :
I’m really disappointed, because I feel like he will become a great and he will now do that at WP. That sucks and is a heavy blow to take, but I really wish him well and am actually angry, but totally excited to see Piet and Eben form a strong partnership. Would have been great if we could have gotten Eben, but that was never going to happen.
I say, let’s look at the guys staying. Lewies can become our great. He now has a chance and he has my full backing. Then I’m also excited to see Piets younger brother, maybe we have the better of the two – who knows?
@Ben (Comment 75) : These guys are rugby players – not PR specialists, lawyers or public spokesmen. You crucify the guy for some silly comments he made in an interview. Who on this blog have not said something in a meeting or conversation that they have not regretted later.
Let’s just move on. Sharks fans are starting to sound like jilted lovers.
@Ben (Comment 75) : I’d say it could be argued either way, but regardless of his professionalism, he definitely didn’t act morally or loyally.
To say something like that (if it is exactly what he said) only to change his mind for his own gain is pretty egocentric.
@Bokhoring (Comment 77) : Excuse me. Please point out to me where I crucified him.
@Bokhoring (Comment 77) : I’m sorry but if you are a professional sportsman, or anyone who works in entertainment and receives public recognition and popularity, the media is just as much part of your job as what ever else you do.
@Bokhoring (Comment 77) : But yeah, you’re right. Talking to the media is probably not part of their profession. They probably go out and do it because they love it. 🙄
@Ben (Comment 79) : True – you personally did not use such strong terms. I am talking about the camp that is questioning the guy’s morality and integrity.
@Ben (Comment 75) :
What he said still rings true, he feels bad for leaving, because he feels like the Sharks have given him so much and that he hasn’t been able to repay them because of injuries.
I don’t think that has changed, but I think he sat down and had to make the best decision for him. He gave his all while he was contracted by the Sharks – can you really ask a player more? Contractually, he owes us nothing.
Have you ever considered that his injuries came while playing for the SHARKS. Who managed him? Who managed his rehabilitation and return? Maybe if we did a better job, he would not have been injured us much. I’m not saying it is necessarily our fault. Maybe it was just bad luck, but then it was our bad luck as much as it was his.
The deal he signed was a two year deal, that deal who have included – when you are injury free, you play for us, when you are injured we pay for rehab.
@Bokhoring (Comment 82) : Because saying one thing publicly and then doing the opposite is not immoral?
@Letgo (Comment 83) : I don’t care. I’m happy he left.
@Bokhoring (Comment 77) : 😆 @ jilted Lovers
@Seth101 (Comment 78) :
Like I said, he did not necessarily change his mind. Imagine this scenario:
Journo: I hear you are in talks with WP to sign a deal.
PSDT: Yeah that is a possibility, but nothing official yet.
Journo: In the years you have played for the Sharks, you have been injured most of the time. Don’t you feel like you owe them some game time.
PSDT: Yeah, I really appreciate what the Sharks have done for me. I wish that I could have played more and could have repaid them for every thing. They have done so much for me, I owe them my career.
Does that sound bad?
I believe PSDT is very thankful for what the Sharks have done for him, but even in that interview knew that he was leaving, it just didn’t come across like that.
The journo clearly also had his own little hidden agenda… like Vin mentioned earlier in a comment, quilting him in to stay maybe???
@Letgo (Comment 66) : I have already offered the journalist side of the spiel, I dont believe it though and by all accounts Greenaway is a very well respected journalist so I dont think he will take too kindly to your take on the situation.
I would run for the hills from any fiance that insists they will determine where I must earn my living. 😈
@Letgo (Comment 87) : You speculate a lot.
@Seth101 (Comment 84) :
He didn’t say he was staying at the Sharks.
He said he feels he owes them a lot would have liked to repay them with more game time (or even feels like he should).
It doesn’t mean he doesn’t still feel that way. Leaving doesn’t mean he still wishes he could have done more for the Sharks.
If PSDT was a shit player, we wouldn’t have cared as much.
Let’s just admit that the reaction is the hurt of losing a potential SA Rugby great.
@Letgo (Comment 87) : Anything is possible, but I am more inclined to believe what was quoted is what he said, rather than the journo selectively quoting. Also I think if he had made any indication that a move was even possible it would have been the first thing the journo mentioned.
@Letgo (Comment 90) : We’re losing Alberts – I don’t see this kind of fall-out.
@Letgo (Comment 90) : “Let’s just admit that the reaction is the hurt of losing a potential SA Rugby great.” Not at all, he hardly even played for us.
@Letgo (Comment 90) : THIS is what he said.
“I have a debt to pay to a franchise that welcomed me with open arms when I was a nobody out of school, and then have stuck by me for two years when I was mostly injured.
“I need to honour that debt and I want to”
@Ben (Comment 89) :
Yeah, because I find it interesting that words like immoral would be thrown around as carelessly as it is. Especially considering the moral concept … turn the other cheek.
It totally hurts as hell, and I don’t think it was the nicest thing of him to do, but I have to wish him well. I really rate him as a player and think he made a sound decision for his career.
Btw Loyalty is not something you buy. So I don’t know how he can owe us his loyalty. Clearly he is more loyal to his family and his childhood province. Does that make him a bad guy?
I think not. It just feels bad to have been used like that. But it is a profession and he did good for himself. Like we say in Afrikaans, “Ek neem hom nie kwalik nie.” Seriously, I don’t blame him for the decision he took.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 92) : Alberts is 30, bad comparison.
@Ben (Comment 94) :
Yeah, that doesn’t help him. Does it. Maybe he was then still planning to stay.
Still don’t blame him for going.
@Ben (Comment 94) : “I need to honour that debt and I want to”
That is the part that gets me:
“I want to” No mate no you fkn don’t apparently. Other than being closer to his family what could the possibly offer that would make him change what he “WANTS” to do??? And even being close to his family is not worth it considering it’s a two hour flight.
@Letgo (Comment 96) : Fine then Cameron Write.
@Seth101 (Comment 93) :
I said potential … we’ve always been gutted when losing him to injury. This is permanent. Way worse than injury. Even more so after we sent him messages of support after picking up the injury.
I still thinks we might see Lewies stepping up and giving that Bok 5 jersey a real go now.
@Seth101 (Comment 99) :
Not even close to the same quality player.
@Seth101 (Comment 98) :
Yes, that was a stupid thing to say. Agreed.
He changed his mind. Or still want to, but feels his family obligation and loyalty is more important that the debt he feels towards the Sharks.
@Letgo (Comment 101) : I disagree completely, Cam was less established, but just as much quality and potential.
@Letgo (Comment 102) :
And yes, a stupid thing to say and a hurtful thing to then go and sign with another province, but not immoral.
And yes, he clearly did not feel much loyalty to the Sharks, but then we should be happy that we didn’t spend any more time and energy on him and maybe, should not have signed him in the first place … remember he wanted to leave for the Bulls a few years ago and we convinced him to stay, that was our mistake.
It is not about loyalty to a team for him, I don’t think.
@Letgo (Comment 102) : “family obligation and loyalty” because living two hours away is not enough? I’m sorry but that is just not good enough, not even close. It’s not like he is moving there to work on the family farm, he is going to play rugby, the exact same thing he would be doing here.
@Seth101 (Comment 103) :
Okay yes, you feel that way, but the reaction with regards to PSDT is because the rest of South Africa also feels like that. If Cam was already a Bok and got more game time at the Sharks – were the incumbent 9, we may have reacted in the same way. He basically left because we didn’t use him, same with Zeilinga.
@Letgo (Comment 104) : I guess that just depends how much a persons word means to you, to me your word means a lot, and what he did is immoral, by my set of moral codes at least. So maybe he was more amoral than immoral, maybe his word doesn’t mean anything to him, but it does to others.
@Letgo (Comment 106) : I know Cam, or knew, he left because he got a better offer, difference is he didn’t say he wanted to stay before going, or say he owes the Sharks.
@Seth101 (Comment 105) :
He really should not have said anything, should he? 😆
I also wish he would have stayed, but really get why he left. And I don’t think he left because of the Sharks. Many other things influenced his decision, not least of all that he would now make the same at WP as at the Sharks.
I’m a little mad to, but more mad that we bought a player who clearly does not feel any loyalty to our team.
Wish the Sharks would look at players who want to play here.
@Letgo (Comment 109) : Probably would have been best.
“Wish the Sharks would look at players who want to play here.”
Well exactly, but how do you judge that besides taking their word for it?
@Seth101 (Comment 107) :
He did not say: “I will stay”. He said, “I need to and I want to”.
@Seth101 (Comment 108) :
Maybe if you knew Piet you would have understood his decision to.
@Seth101 (Comment 110) :
If they are looking to sign with the Bulls when they are 19, you basically know. No loyal Shark would even consider the Bulls.
We should have let him go then.
@Letgo (Comment 111) : IMO semantics, “I want to stay” = “I will unless I have no choice”, unless there is a factor we don’t know then he had a choice.
@Letgo (Comment 113) :
And I think Rob said as much in his article when he confirmed we signed Piet for another 2 years. He questioned how much longer Piet would stay if it was such a struggle to keep him at 19.
@Letgo (Comment 112) : Maybe, but I never, and until someone who did can give us additional info, my opinion is not going to change on what he did.
I am as gutted as the next person about PSdT leaving, I always rated him highly as a player and a person, and I definitely wish him well in his future career with both the Stormers and the Boks. My only regret is that we did not get to see him reach the peaks we know he is capable of because of the very sad injuries he suffered.
I cannot believe the mean spirited attitude on display by some of the posters here. What a fickle bunch you are, PSdT gave 100% for the Sharks in every game he played, and we as spectators can’t ask for more than that. All this talk of “loyalty” leaves me cold. A pro rugby player is loyal to himself and to the union to which he is contracted. Once that contract is over you cannot expect this loyalty thing to continue indefinitely. Remember, loyalty is also a 2 way street. There can’t just be loyalty from the player, it has to be reciprocated by the union and the fans. It’s all very well expecting loyalty from a high performing valuable player like PSdT, but where is the loyalty from the union and the fans to under-performing players or those that are seen as excess to requirements?
Basing your contempt for PSdT on answers given in an interview is just silly. As Letgo said above, that interview means nothing, we don’t know what questions were asked by the interviewer to get those responses. I will always be a PSdT fan.
Except maybe when he plays for the Stormers.
@Letgo (Comment 96) : You sure have an uncanny ability to know each and everyone of us and why we react the way we do… 🙄
@Seth101 (Comment 114) :
Maybe there is a factor that gives him no choice. A family member fell ill? His family reacted badly to him saying he feels obliged to stay with the Sharks. He got an offer double as big from the Stormers (an offer he couldn’t refuse) and, Like I said, He has a fiance – Yoko, maybe?
I’m not saying that as fact, but woman can be stupid sometimes (I say that with authority and permission – as I myself am one).
Look at how difficult I can be. Everyone is against Piet, rightly so on a Sharksworld blog and I have to go and defend the guy. Woman, right! 😉
@Letgo (Comment 119) : Maybe! and if that is the case then bake me up your finest humble pie, but until then…
Honestly at this point I am just debating because it is more fun then work. 😆
@FireTheLooser (Comment 118) :
Why do you think so many here are reacting like this.
I think, firstly, comment two from our “fearless leader” 🙂 sparked the anger and secondly I think we feel a massive loss and even more so because we were tricked into believing he might stay.
Why aren’t we angry at Zeilinga (okay he didn’t say i want to replay my debt to the Sharks), but guys what, he’s been injured as much as PSDT du Toit has. Does he have a debt to pay?
That article didn’t help Piet, but if he was a useless player we would really care about that.
@Seth101 (Comment 120) :
😆
@Seth101 (Comment 120) : I’m about as gutted about losing the talent of PSdT as I would’ve been about someone like André Pretorius in his hay-day. 😆
It’s his comments that had me upset, and I’ll probably always have that in the back of my mind when watching the guy play.
His departure won’t mean anything during this CC campaign, nor next year’s SR campaign, so let the CC begin!
@Letgo (Comment 121) : I see what you’re getting at…his talent combined with his comments sparked the anger, as apposed to his comments in isolation.
That is probably an accurate assessment.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 123) : Sums it up perfectly.
@Letgo (Comment 104) : Is it immoral to lie, give false hope, to not do what you profess to do?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 126) : As I said above it’s at best amoral as he may not have the same moral code as some of us, but that’s at best.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 124) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 126) : @Seth101 (Comment 127) :
You guys really should remember that journalist love to spin a story their own way. When doing press conferences they would come in with their articles basically written, ask the questions in a manner where, unless the interviewee fervently disagreed the question was basically also the answer.
Very few Journalist asked open-ended questions at these press conferences. Plus the journalist in question is an experienced and wily journo, who knows exactly how to get what he wants out of his interviewees. I’ve heard these guys ask questions to influence team selections… they don’t ask, will you select JDV ahead of Damian de Allende. They ask, given the injury concerns of JDV and Damian de Allende’s sublime form, can we expect to see De Allende to get a decent run at inside center.
@Letgo (Comment 128) :
I have no doubt that journalist have their own agenda’s that they are also trying to push with what they write.
@Letgo (Comment 128) : So it’s a question of a lack of integrity from either PSDT or Mike Greenaway, I think I will trust the journo in this case.
@Letgo (Comment 128) :
And the poor coaches are still trying to be diplomatic and not give away anything. So they basically answer, yes, Jean is still struggling, but at his best he is still our best option. But you are right De Allende has been the best 12 in South Africa and we will definitely look at him.
PSDT quoted answer is pretty damning though. It really feels like he made promises that he couldn’t keep.
Think we are giving this far more air time than it deserves. Let it be guys, we can’t change anything and no reason to harp on it.
@Seth101 (Comment 130) :
Sure, do that, I wouldn’t. I don’t think it is in a journo’s code not to influence answers to fit their stories. I’ve seen it to much. How many times have you read Beast is leaving or so and so will sign with this team or that and then it is just not true. Why? Journalist integrity? Journalist write what will make news and in a manner that it pushes their agenda. And so in the US you have liberal media and conservative media, each will write the same story with a very different twist.
Plus Mike is a big Sharks supporter, like Rob, and maybe pointed the fact that he still owed the Sharks out, much like any of us might have done if we had the opportunity to talk to him, in a hope that, that would make him stay.
@Farlington (Comment 132) :
It’s just because there’s a disagreement. There’s been 80 comments since this morning.
I can stop the discussion right now.
I agree, PSDT is a doos! 😉
@Farlington (Comment 132) : It’s because we have this stupid gap week before CC rugby begins…so we’re basically talking about this because we are waiting for some real rugby news again.
How long has it been since we last saw a Sharks game – too long.
@Farlington (Comment 132) : @Letgo (Comment 134) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 135) : Also work is boring, arguing is fun.
@Farlington (Comment 132) : We are bored, nothing else is going on so why not rant a bit.
Bok team:
Willie
JPP
Kriel
De Allende
Habana
Pollard
Pienaar
Whitley
Marcell
Louw
Victor
Etzebeth
Jannie
Bissie
Beast
@Seth101 (Comment 138) : Bench:
Strauss, Nyakane, Koch, Mohoje, Burger, Reinach, Lambie, JDV.
Meyer: “I worked with Jesse at the Bulls. I was very impressed on the first day I coached him”
Admitted favoritism.
Ok, so it seems as if Jesse Kriel is going to be selected in Saturdays Bok side as an outside centre. What do you guys think of this considering that he has been playing fullback all season. How do you guys think Juan de Jongh must be feeling right bout now.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 141) :
and Mapoe as well … ai
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 141) : I wouldn’t select him at all, but that’s cause I don’t like him as a person. 😆
Unbiasedly, he has no senior experience at center and now he is playing there at the highest level, well our coach is an idiot so, no surprise.
At least its not Jaque Fourie…
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 141) : If DeJong hasnt realised by now that he is not deemed good enough for international rugby then he is just fooling himself. I would have preferred Mapoe but willing to give Kriel a chance.
@Letgo (Comment 134) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 135) : @Seth101 (Comment 136) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 137) : Fair enough… all valid points!
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 141) : Salmo, get with the programme here, you are a few minutes behind the times.
@SheldonK (Comment 145) : I actually dont have a problem with Kriel there at all, my issue is more with the guys that have been playing in that position all season long not getting a look in. Not a De Jongh fan but he has partnered De Allende all season long. Im sure De Jongh realise that Herr Meyer does not see anything in him as far as the Boks go but it must be a bitter pill to swallow when someone is selected there when it has not been his regular starting position. Mapoe is the one that should be most aggrieved.
@Letgo (Comment 133) : @Letgo (Comment 134) : I agree with Letgo’s take on the journo probably leading PSDT… I don’t agree that the poor lad is a Doos though… that’s a bit harsh!
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 148) :
Agree with you.
But Kriel is very talented – may well have us eating humble pie.
@Seth101 (Comment 138) : Who is that JPP person on the wing?
@Big Fish (Comment 150) : From what I have seen of him I wont be at all surprised if he has a blinder.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 151) : Isn’t he that guy who played in Japan, then played really badly for the Sharks?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 148) : Very fair comment regarding the guys who have played 13 this year. To be honest i really thought HM would pick JPP at 13. i would have personally put Kriel at 15, Le Roux wing and Mapoe at 13. Im a big fan of having your best players on the field no matter where. if HM believes Kriel on the field in any position is better than just picking a 13 for the sake of it then im all for it. Not all agree with me and thats cool. Just how id like to see both Lambie and Pollard play side by side.
@Seth101 (Comment 153) : Did he play at centre?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 155) : Speaking of centres, I see William Small-Smith has left the Bulls for the Cheetahs. Good move on his part, I think.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 155) : He must have done since our wings were mainly Sbu and Odwa, must say I never noticed him touch the ball, or even notice him on the field. Maybe HM knows something we don’t?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 156) : Good news for us. Next destination = Sharks. 😀
Let’s grow up guys. These comments are really uncalled for. The guy left. Let’s deal and move on. Let’s even wish him the very best. Let’s look at home and ask ourselves if did we as Sharks (coaching, support, playing style, crowd attendance etc.) play a role in his decision making. I say yes we did. Let’s trying fixing things before this happens again. It starts with getting a good coaching team.
@Ben (Comment 158) : He was rumored to be looking to move here, obviously changed his mind when we picked up Wandi.
Wow we are getting the full spiel today from the journos fault to the supporters faults.
What was that song that Michael Jackson sang about a man in the mirror.
I’m still on the fence with this one. I can understand why he left and I can also understand people criticising him for doing so. All I can say is I wish him luck and I’m happy he left. Good riddance PSdT.
@Seth101 (Comment 160) : What is WSS’s preferred position, 12 or 13?
@Ben (Comment 163) : 13 i believe
It’s a win win situation. PSdT goes to the Cape and gets to be happy and the Sharks get rid of an injury prone player earning a fat cheque every month.
Really wonder how much of a loss this is
While there is not doubt as to how magnificent a rugby player the boy is,for his age he is too injury prone.
He has serious injury deficiencies and they are exacerbated by the way he plays.
He needs to fire at full strength to play that wonderful game of his and my feeling is that his body can’t hold out.
Much like Tiger’s back couldn’t hold that swing forever,PSDT’s knees can’t support his game.
Sad because when I first saw him he was potentially the best forward I had seen since a young Jean Smith
Food for thought…its funny how some injury prone guys come right the moment they leave the Sharks. Talking bout guys like Pat Cilliers, Julian Redelinghuis, Butch James etc
@SheldonK (Comment 167) : Lol Butch was injury prone everywhere, and when not injured, banned
Still my favorite player though.
@Seth101 (Comment 168) : Look he not the best example, was trying to think quickly off top of my head. But Butch did seem to be a lot less injury free playing at the Lions than he did at the Sharks.
@SheldonK (Comment 169) : Look no further than Kankowski and Alberts,this year.
@The hound (Comment 170) : The frenchies have got serious work ahead if they want Alberts to actually play any games
@SheldonK (Comment 171) : As cynical as it sounds I think Big Willem paced himself beautifully for the World Cup,bet you Duane is wishing he’d done the same thing.
@The hound (Comment 172) : He is also injured now so his pacing never helped.
@The hound (Comment 172) : id have to disagree judging by injury reports ive heard. Seems they really struggling to get Alberts fit to do anything. HM will be taking a beeg risk taking both Vermuelen and Alberts to WC. Throw Coenie into that mix as well as Dupreez, DeVilliers…eish we may have to forfeit the world cup cos cant field a team.
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 37) :
By all accounts he begged WP to take him. And its not buying a player; he’s just coming home.
@Pokkel (Comment 52) :
My sentiments exactly.
Stank verdank.
@Letgo (Comment 66) :
You best comment ever LetGo. Couldnt agree more. Well said.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 65) :
Well, he was injured for the better part of two seasons, playing in a side where virtually the entire pack has left at the same time, where management seems iffy at best and where internal strife seems quite normal.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 178) : But then why the sanctimonious crap to the journo. Thats the bugbear.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 176) : Yeah, Stank vir dank. A huge kick in the nuts. Bite the hand that feeds you.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 175) : Let’s combine these comments to really drive home the poor character on display from the young man:
“By all accounts he begged WP to take him”
…whilst begging wp behind the scenes, he makes this comment publicly:
“I have a debt to pay to a franchise that welcomed me with open arms
when I was a nobody out of school, and then have stuck by me for two
years when I was mostly injured,”
“I need to honour that debt and I want to.”
Paints a grim picture
@VinChainSaw (Comment 177) :
It hurts to say it, but it’s true. I can’t blame a guy for making a smart career and family move. Also I respect him for actually saying that he does feel like he owes the Sharks and that he is grateful what they have done for him.
He could have just said, I owe the Sharks nothing! I played out my contract and will leave to play for my ‘home province’, something I’ve always wanted to do.
And that he still seems a little torn about a decision, which really shouldn’t take a lot to see is much better for him personally, shows me that he really is grateful for his time at the Sharks.
Just hurts to lose a player like him. You guys are lucky. Piet and Eben together. That’s going to be some combo!
@FireTheLooser (Comment 181) :
Maybe he he did pay the debt. Who says he didn’t stipulate that he wouldn’t sign for WP, unless they pay his medical bills for the last year?
Chances are slim, but who knows. The details of his contract has not been disclosed to us.
@Letgo (Comment 134) : @CS (Comment 149) :
Neither do I. Was being sarcastic. I should have added 😉
@Letgo (Comment 182) : Sort of shows the kind of character Warren Whitely has
.Although he is Natal born and all those same emotions you attribute for du Toits’ treurige return to the motherland,must run equally through him.
But I doubt,and I reiterate I doubt,no amount of money would get him to turn on the team that took him in as a nobody and gave him the chance to become the player he is.
My biggest regret is this:
After Piet retires from international rugby following the Springboks winning the 2023 world cup final in Ellis Park; he will be remembered in news articles across the globe as perhaps the greatest lock of all time and one of the greatest rugby players to date.
He will be known as the 3 time World Rugby player of the year and a Springbok, Stormers and Toulon legend.
But alas, only us old buggers on Sharksworld will remember those 27 Super Rugby caps he achieved in Sharks colours! And we will all be telling our grandchildren who aren’t even listening “He used to play for the Sharks, you know”
😆
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 179) :
You should attend a presser or an interview sometime.
An hour chat becomes 5 lines. The journo says exactly what they please.
Added to that – we have no idea what has happened in the intervening period. Perhaps John got stuck in again and Piet decided he wasnt having it anymore?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 181) :
Yes, and you have nothing else to base your opinion on except three lines.
Come on dude, you surely know life (not to mention a rugby career) is more complicated than that?
@Letgo (Comment 182) :
I reckon the Natal faithful are just sour because he’s the latest to walk away.
@SeanyJMc (Comment 186) :
Rob will over his vitriol by that point and will probably even claim him as a “born and bred Shark”.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 188) : “It’s complicated” sounds like a relationship status. 😆
Lol. The “latest”. That would be funny if the same wasn’t happening at the Stormers.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 189) :
Reel yourself in Vinnie my lad. I agree that the Sharks faithful have completely lost touch with reality in the way they are reacting to this, but the Sharks have done really well with the latest signings – so we need not start the course of anti-depressants just yet.
The Stormers are fortunate that PSDT really wants to return to the Cape – it’s a huge coup. But the departures over the last few seasons are as dramatic as ours. This is the reality of the professional age.
Let’s not forget the less than ideal way that your Union found out who Vermeulen signed for…
@VinChainSaw (Comment 178) : aint that the unhyped non-smoke blowing truth of matters
@Letgo (Comment 182) : if they manage to stay injury free ja then they will be a very good combo.
Hey, we have a home play off this weekend. Where’s our captain? 😆
@VinChainSaw (Comment 187) : It wasnt a presser, it was an interview. Seriously why would anyone give an interview if in every instance the journo wrote unsubstantiated crap that he wanted to hear. Maybe the first 3 guys would fall for it but after that no one would bother even glancing in the journos direction.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 187) : ” we have no idea what has happened in the intervening period”…..well I imagine that in that intervening period some “nice guy”s who had influence (agent, WPRU, girlfriend, dominee..) in the lighties life started putting the pressure on him to make the move and at the same time put him in a dilemma.
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 196) : …overseas, already wearing another teams colours with pride while giving the middle finger to his team mates and the half filled, rapidly emptying with 10 minutes to play, stadium back home.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 199) : hehehe nkandla hehehe methinks Vinnie is trying to hard to stir the pot. Something about glass houses?
So some guy on IOL by the name of greg_shark believes that there is a “new coach coming…. a BIG name….stand by!
Does anyone have any info on this?… Or is this chap just an attention seeker?
Kind of like grant10’s predictions? 😮
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 201) : something is brewing. I don’t have anything, but there are definite rumblings in the undergrowth
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 202) : ?
@grant10 (Comment 204) : ahem some of your rumours have proven to be a little wild and woolly 😀
@robdylan (Comment 203) : very interesting… keep that ear to the ground. If it’s a big name it cannot really be a South African…
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 205) : Which ones is that? That PSDT may be coming to CT? That Stormers are / were keen on Goosen. ? M Coetsee and C Hendricks?
Those are not unsubstantiated rumours, but facts.
Please no Bashford, Muir or Stonehouse!
@grant10 (Comment 207) : for one, you were certain Mitchell was to be the next Stormers coach.
I say this along with the du Plessis departures, sad though they may be, might be just the kick in the pants we need. We need to stop backing one horse at a time.
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 209) : No young man, I wanted , and still would love, to have Mitchell as Stormers coach…..However, I am warming up to Dobson . I think Mitchell may be convinced to look after Sharks ….thats my opinion….
@grant10 (Comment 211) : Nah he wants a long term contract 4 years. However I don’t think sharks want to take the risk. There must be a reason no SA union hasn’t snapped him up after his lions gig.
@robdylan (Comment 203) : I see Robbie Deans is in the country at the moment 😈
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 213) : Well spotted now,wouldn’t that naaaah,but then again,welllll
@The hound (Comment 214) : 😀 😀
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 213) : @The hound (Comment 214) : I think a fair few of us would get excited about an appointment of that caliber 🙂
But I think he’s in SA for another reason 😉
Probably here for the Xv match. He has been very vocal on it this past week.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 216) : Who is coaching the worldXV??
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 197) :
If you believe that then I’ve also got a milk culture that i’ll pay you handsomely to grow for me. #kubus
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 198) :
That is called supposition.
@The hound (Comment 218) : Robbie Deans 😀
@Big Fish (Comment 193) : @Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 196) :
That was a disgrace, yes.
Almost as bad as a certain NAtal-born player trying to derail the Stormers chances by organising a strike the day before a semi?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 197) :
Let me put it this way – a player talking to the press is about as out of his depth as Mike Greenway scrumming down in the Bok front row.
@coolfusion (Comment 210) :
I tend to agree with that.
It needed a branch and root clear-out.
A lot of difficult characters are now out of the picture.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 223) : Listen friend maybe one day you will have enough experience of the world of journalism,to differentiate between an interview,a press release and a carefully crafted piece of public relations.
I would say Mike’s article was a slick piece of P.R. in which the subject was a very willing and knowledgable participant
Unlike Duanne’s unveiling which was an ambush of notorious proportions, now that was one ignorant farm boy’s baptism of fire.
Lol us get Deans, that made me giggle. 😆
@The hound (Comment 225) : Well put
@robdylan (Comment 203) : think they will appoint a new coach for Super rugby 2016 it may just take abit to ensure he is out of contract and available before announcing it. Can’t see Gold coaching the Super rugby 2016 team.
I’d take the Irish coach after the RWC.
@JD (Comment 228) : And I can’t see why a head coach would want to worry about franchise structures and the backroom setup…so any new coach shouldn’t have to worry about working with Gold, as he’ll mostly be responsible for everything except for what the senior team does on the field.
If its not going to be JM ill take Deans any time of day,now that is serious hardcore,hell turn these softies into SR trophy material in no time
@The hound (Comment 225) : Do you have any friends?
I’ll put this down to sour grapes and leave it at that. No changing any pre-conceived notions here
@VinChainSaw (Comment 232) : Why are you looking for some.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 220) : Supposition..what is that. Is it similar or even exactly the same as your and Letgo’s theories that the journalist made up PSdT’s “Ich Bin ein Sharkie” spiel. Pot, kettle…..
@VinChainSaw (Comment 219) : @VinChainSaw (Comment 223) : Couple these 2 comments of yours and then explain to me why they still give interviews. It makes no sense to me. Suckers for punishment?
@VinChainSaw (Comment 223) : Greenway – crap front rower. Greenaway on the other hand….
@VinChainSaw (Comment 222) : It took someone with an independent mindset to get the ja-broers thinking a bit. Not much has changed. Like lambs to the slaughter.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 238) : Haha, true that!
@The hound (Comment 234) : You’re not ny type I’m afraid.
I prefer friends that arent complete twats.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 235) : I never ever said it was made-up. I said there needed to be context added and consideration to what has happened after the interview. Because nobody on this board has ever said something, had circumstance change on them and then changed their mind.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 236) : Many players don’t talk to the press at all, for this very reason.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 242) : In other words they choose not to. Just like he could have chosen not to. And yet he did it, he also chose to say what he did.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 241) : I mean, once you say you feel you want to do somethinng, you’re irretrievably committed come hell or high water, aren’t you?
@Seth101 (Comment 243) : Good Lord mate, he’s a kid. Will probay never again after getting dismembered by this pack of rabid dogs.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 240) : Thought you were as an arsehole man all along.
@The hound (Comment 246) : Nice, a homophobic slur. Just when I thought you couldn’t go any lower
@The hound (Comment 246) : @VinChainSaw (Comment 247) : Neither of you are being all that classy if I’m honest.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 245) : He’s a professional, this is his job.
ja, enough now, please.
Wow, reading the comments it seems I’ve missed a colourful few days and weeks. I’ve been away for two weeks leading two youth camps (one for ages 8-12 and for 12-16). Stuff was learnt, friends were made, fun was had…but I didn’t have much time to be on here. Anyway, I tried to sum up my thoughts in one lengthy comment. I’ll just stick with that…
Tomorrow after the church service I head off on some much-needed leave! So family time and not much Sharksworld for the next 9 days or so for me! 😆
@pastorshark (Comment 250) : we’ll miss you!
@robdylan (Comment 251) : Thanks…
I’m going to enjoy the holiday!!!