Hi Sharks fans. It seems that all is not well in the land of the Kings. It would appear that the reports of players not being paid are true, with former Sharks centre, and at times Kings captain, Tim Whitehead confirming his departure from the troubled EP union.
Other players reported to be leaving are props Lizo Gqoboka and Tom Botha, highly rated wing Luther Obi, Eightman Tim Agaba, who gave us lots of trouble in the Currie Cup and wing Sylvian Mahuza. It might be a bit late in the day for these players to secure new local contracts.
Cheeky Watson is in Australia, but whether to attend a wedding or to secure a much needed sponsorship is not known.
It is a sad state of affairs for all the players and coaches involved, especially given the support the Kings received when they were last in Super Rugby. To compound their troubles Afriforum and the local rate payers association are taking legal action as it has been alleged that residents’ rates were used to fund the salaries of Kings players and staff.
We’ll all be watching this space avidly to see what steps can be taken before Super Rugby next year.
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Gqoboka is a good player and definitely worth investing in, but the one I’d REALLY want to get is Botha.
Id def take Gqoboka and Agaba. Could add big value. Luther Obi has serious speed so would be a nice to have.
@robdylan (Comment 1) : Really? Botha never popped up on my radar…perhaps i was looking elsewhere
Very sad state of affairs. Would be interesting to see the split between the administrators pay and players.
Id want Tim Whitehead back in DBN anytime if he can regain the form he showed us in 2012 S15.
You really want to buy Lizo.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 5) : bar injuries yes.. any time.
It really is terrible for everyone involved. Not only the player, but fans as well.
@Morné (Comment 6) : Agreed. We need quality props, and he looks the real deal
@Uli Boelie (Comment 5) : I agree.
@Another Nick (Comment 7) : For sure, would hate this to happen to anyone, but how come did they even get into this situation?
@Uli Boelie (Comment 10) : I would love to know. Probably not one specific thing, but rather the result of a collective collapse. Lack of sponsorship, financial mismanagement, poor marketing… geez the list can go on.
All the wrong people are leaving!!!!!!!
Somebody should really get rid of the root cause of all this crap. Fat Cats that stuff around with peoples careers.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 12) : Now that’s a good comment!!! I’m sure they all make certain their salaries are paid.
Oh and have a look at Sykes too while you are at it. He can prove invaluable in a very long Super Rugby season.
Twatson is the rot.
We should get that Luther fellow with immediate effect. Also have a look at their centres. Not too convinced by Deysel but in his defence, have only seem him play once.
I wouldn’t mind having a look at Agaba and one or two others.
I’d take Whitehead back in a heartbeat. Hated that Jakes discarded him so willingly. I think he’s a better 12 than 13 so we have space for him.
Echo the comment on Sykes…
@JarsonX (Comment 15) : for sure, that has always been the root of the problem in PE.
Two questions:
1. What happens to their age group teams?
2. Anyone care to venture a guess on what the future holds for the Kings in regards to Super Rugby? I assume they are contractually obligated to provide a team for the competition.
@vanmartin (Comment 21) : Interesting question, all I can think is that SANZAR may fine SARU with some huge amounts if they unable to deliver a team.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 22) : Definitely some interesting times ahead i feel. Dont think SARU can afford the hit in not fielding the Kings. So money and players will be made available from somewhere. The quality though im not so sure. Have to feel for the genuine EC guys that went to the Kings to make them a success on the field
Gqoboka by a mile. I dont much rate the others, but Agaba would be in with a shout. Only, the Sharks are not thin on the loosies so Agaba would be a waste (nothing harsh meant) of capital.
@SheldonK (Comment 23) : If anything Pumas should be included then. Kings had their chance and messed it up, yet again.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 25) : I think it gets tricky with the awarding of a super rugby franchise right etc. But perhaps we will just see the Pumas/Griquas disguised as the Kings.
@SheldonK (Comment 26) : There is a massive outcry here in the EC. The head of the previous Spears had arranged a twinning deal with Toulon but with Cheeky in Aus nothing has come if it. Desperate times indeed and both the Ceo and President doing an atrocious job of keeping everyone informed or at being transparent. All questions related to their own salary payment are being answered with “no comment”.
Players stock was already limited and now best guys leaving under the contract breach. Things are looking very gloomy indeed and if a team is scraped together, it will be far too inferior. Pumas plus Kwaste plus Leopards currently a sane option. So sad for this region
Very Sad Indeed for the players and fans.
@SheldonK (Comment 26) : Interesting should that happen… what of those players that are contracted to those unions but usually plays SR for the bigger unions? Will they be forced to play for such a team. I know this is just speculation but that could be painful to try and sort out.
@Kabouter (Comment 27) : Very sad indeed. Especially as a good foundation was slowly being built with the u19s doing so well. It seems the top management were very good at shouting their mouths off in the press etc but less good at actually securing sponsorships and finance etc. I think the lack of communication from Kings upper management and SARu is a result of there being no answers to the numerous questions…
@Kabouter (Comment 27) : Depth and quality would be an issue.
Going to be a big mess in the coming months. Not what we need for SA rugby at all.
@Farlington (Comment 28) : As far as i understand it those guys are still contracted to the ‘smaller’ unions and are then loaned to the super rugby teams who then supplement their salary. But the ‘smaller’ union still holds all the rights to the player etc. S i dont think guys will be forced to go and play but as with everything there will be a ‘negotiation’ and if SARU under pressure there will be ‘consequences’ for not reaching a deal
@SheldonK (Comment 31) : What a mess. I know this is an old painful topic that most feel the same about but I really think the size of this competition is a major problem. I’m not 100% convinced we can field 6 competitive teams in any case but hey obviously the administrators feel different.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 10) : I take my hat off and admire the players that played the entire CC without any assuraces of getting their pay…and they always played with heart. And then their lighties win the whole damn competition. Pisses me off. Those empty promise makers dont deserve these players or fans.
@Farlington (Comment 32) : I fully agree
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 33) : Can admire those guys for sure. But can you imagine the stick they are getting from their wives/girlfriends??
Biggest rugby sponsorship ever in SA, my arse…..charge that man with something.
@Farlington (Comment 32) : Why is there no second tier competition with promotion and relegation?
@SheldonK (Comment 35) : They must just direct that anger in the right direction, uncertain times for these guys who surely had big dreams, and probably, at best were in most cases marginal “big time” players.
Yes to Sykes.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 38) : I think there are some very good players there who could have been competitive. It’s a pity about what has happened because this will cause a lot of disruption for the players mentally.
Big headaches for Hoskins and Roux, but they wanted the Kings in.
@StevieS (Comment 37) : The problem with that is who will play in the second tier competition? Will it only apply to the unions that want to play in SR based in SA, or for all SANZAR countries so called “smaller” unions. If the latter, then I think it will become a costly exercise especially when considering the travel involved between the nations. But I do think a team must prove it self as well as prove that it has the financial capacity to compete.
This is almost tragic. Where the hell is SARU in all this. I think they must also take a dollop of responsibility for this! Surely they had to be involved months ago in trying to address issues. And yet it still all falls apart. My word…
@StevieS (Comment 40) : Man, then they should have taken them by the hand and walked them to this point step by step. Ai…
One of the props and Sykes would do nicely…
@Morné (Comment 14) : yes but he might be too tall for the front of the line-out :p he is from the class of 2007.senior player.
I’m not overly convinced by their centres…
@StevieS (Comment 40) : There is undoubtedly talent there but they need the bigger stage to develop properly and be seen to be picked up.
The writing has been on the wall here for a long time, a while ago I said that SARU should step in and take control. I suppose the Rugby World Cup gravy train was more appealing.
If the sharks do decide to bring in another inside centre id look at daniel du plessis.
@Morné (Comment 14) do you rate daniel du plessis?and do you think he could be a conrad smith type player at outside centre?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 47) : Unbelievable…sad but true. SARU must share responsibility for this…
Can’t help but feel saru are the ones to blame by not fully supporting the kings, yes the kings got they spot in super rugby by not conventional means but we are stuck with them and I feel saru is trying to prove a point at the expense of the kings. Seems politics is more important than doing the right thing by the players
@Poisy (Comment 50) : Agreed…
@Morné (Comment 6) : is he a th prop?do you rate him?what about wilco louw or even frans van wyk?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 39) : i second that.
4 lock : potgieter (loosie/lock), sykes , giant ,kruger (loosie/lock),
5 lock : lewies ,wentzel , andrews (?)
@Farlington (Comment 41) : I suggest second and first tier based on merit. Start off with best from each country and then promote two and drop two each year based on Super Rugby.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 47) : I can’t blame SARU alone, Cheeky has been in the news all the time talking about his ‘record breaking’ sponsorship and making all the right noises. SARU maybe just chose to believe him?
@Poisy (Comment 50) : @pastorshark (Comment 51) : SARU will have to act quickly to prevent an embarrassing situation for SA.
@Farlington (Comment 55) : Is there time to avoid it?
@50shadesofshark (Comment 53) : And at 5 we will shortly announce Botha…
@StevieS (Comment 54) : This has been a while coming…where was SARU all the while? You never just believe something anybody says…
@StevieS (Comment 54) : Absolutely, but at some point during the CC SARU should have realised that train was derailing.
The Kings, being a success, should have been of the utmost importance to SARU.
@Farlington (Comment 55) : They should have acted MONTHS ago when this first came up…and they should have been helping the Kings get ready for Super Rugby since they first announced it. This is an abject and pathetic failure of leadership…
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 59) : Absolutely…
Maybe the day Cheeky spoke about getting the biggest sponsorship ever (out of the Fee State) nogal should have been the day that SARU pitched up at his door and started demanding to see the documentation. I was sceptical, they should have been more so.
Very very sad!!!!!!!!!!! Think all the top players will be gone before the end of this weekend!!!!!!! and must say can’t blame them who would want to work for a boss that repeatedly did not pay you!?!?!?!?!
Only way this can be resolved is for Sa Rugby bosses to take over all control of the union!!!!!!!!!!!
@StevieS (Comment 56) : @pastorshark (Comment 60) : Ditto, teams are already preparing for the tournament and how should the Kings prepare under the cloud hanging over the union.
@Farlington (Comment 64) : They can gather under the poles for a chat like they would during games 😉
@SheldonK (Comment 65) : Hahaha… shame but I really feel for them. It sort of puts the problems we have into perspective doesn’t it?
@Farlington (Comment 66) : Yeh true. Altho when last wasnt there some issue or another at the Kings? Border rugby is an absolute disaster. If SARU want the EC to be a rugby success its time they make some harsh calls.
@SheldonK (Comment 67) : Agree 100%!
@pastorshark (Comment 58) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 59) : @SheldonK (Comment 67) : I agree it’s disgraceful, but spare a thought for those poor fans like Pierre. They just want, and deserve, I might add, some quality rugby, and now because of inept management they may lose that chance, or at best see ‘their’ team catch major hidings every weekend.
I think SARU should put EP and Border under administration and commit Rassie and his coaching squad to helping out for next year’s Super Rugby. Drastic times and all that.
Time to bring Sykes and Whitehead home…they should never have left in the first place.
Whitehead is our answer to Conrad Smith and will solve our problems at 12. I was beyond irritated when White left him out of the Super Rugby squad!
@StevieS (Comment 69) : Would be awesome to see what Rassie can do.
@StevieS (Comment 69) : I think it becomes difficult as not sure how much authority SARU has over the Unions. I think for the most part the Unions govern themselves so they would be the ones that need to take the first steps and we all know how stubborn Cheeky is. With the calibre of feeder schools in both the Border and EP region it really is shameful.
@ChrisS (Comment 70) : whitehead and sykes are home.ep/border region is a massive feeder for sa rugby.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 73) : I think he means where he feels they belong lol
@SheldonK (Comment 72) : Surely there’s something in the SARU Constitution about financial stability and best practice re: governance?
I agree, you have Dale, Grey High, Selborne etc etc etc. You could see those stars in this year’s u19 team.
@SheldonK (Comment 72) : Is the EP Kings Rugby Union not also a registered Company with Shareholders and such? If so could the shareholders not vote a Motion of No Confidence and force him out. Unless those shareholders are pretty much cut from the same cloth.
@StevieS (Comment 74) : I would assume there are rules etc that SARU would lay down etc. How quickly/ effectively they can be enforced is another matter though. We all know that Cheeky will use every loophole possible to keep his piece of the pie. Guess time will tell. In hindsight it seems such a waste that the Academy that was in Empangeni and servicing us well was relocated there and well now this…
@Farlington (Comment 75) : Im really not sure how the individual unions are structured. I would assume its a company of some form or shape. But who the shareholders are im not sure. Its not publicly traded so the directors and shareholders could be the same. But yeh really not sure of the structure
It really is sad. In 2012 when the Lions were forced out of Super Rugby, everybody predicted that this would happen to the Lions, but the Lions started to rebuild from the ground up and never received a hand out from SARU. The Kings on the other hand was given a place in Super Rugby and given a place in Currie Cup, never earned. The Kings got so use to hand outs from SARU that they never fought for anything and now they have the results. But I would not mind Agaba coming to the Lions, with Whiteley going to the 7’s, Agaba would do well to come to a winning team
@Mutley (Comment 78) : Is Whiteley definitely going? I thought he was just training with the 7s with a chance to make the cut. As with a few others. I know Hougaard got a contract with a few other players but really can’t remember Whiteley’s name under the contracted players.
@Farlington (Comment 79) : Whiteley isn’t contracted, but he’ll have to play in 4 tournaments to qualify for Rio.
@SheldonK (Comment 76) : That academy did really well, and the Rhinos benefited from it.
@Farlington (Comment 79) : As far as I know, Whiteley want to go to the Olympics and the Lions will not be standing in his way if he wants to go, Kwagga is definitely going and apparently Jaco Kriel’s name is also on the radar. So the Lions will be thin on loosies with only Warwick Tecklenburg and Derrick Minnie left. The Pumas signed Chris Cloete from WP so he will also be available for the Super Rugby, The Lions biggest concern is No8. Other that Whiteley we have no real options
@StevieS (Comment 80) : Yeh Rhinos seriously benefitted. That u20 side they had was seriously good. Just wonder if the Kings u19s are now reaping same rewards. I mean they have a good schools, a good academy, a good u19 side, they have a Varsity Cup side…if their seniors got their act together then thats the ideal platform for success
@Mutley (Comment 81) : I wonder if players from other countries that usually plays the 15 man game will also be trying out for 7’s?
But it will be a loss for the Lions to lose of that caliber but I really can’t blame any player for trying to go to the Olympics.
@Farlington (Comment 83) : Lions were without Tecklenburg and Minnie for the CC and Whitley was only available for the last 4 games, Kriel also missed a couple of games. Still with the structures Ackerman put in place young guys like Step de Wit, Ruan Lerm, Jano Venter and Fabian Booysen got exposure during the CC and are good players to fall back on. I especially rate Jano Venter as a potential Bok No8
@SheldonK (Comment 82) : All of the ingredients are in place except for the senior team. I think most unions would beg to be in the position the Kings are structure wise. They have feeders all the way from school to a Varsity Cup side.
@Mutley (Comment 84) : I don’t know too much about Jano Venter?
@StevieS (Comment 86) : Young guy. Big strong, fast too, but he can think so not in the Heyneke Meyer mold. Played Vodacom Cup this year and during the Currie Cup Ackers gave him 2 or 3 games of the bench before he got injured.
@Mutley (Comment 87) : He sounds very promising. Looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table. I like that he’s a thinker as well.
@SheldonK (Comment 67) : Yup…spot on…
@StevieS (Comment 69) : I feel for them too…have plenty of mates down there and they are not happy!
@StevieS (Comment 69) : yes a time when they should have been excited about next year and now they have an even bleaker outlook than the Sharks and Cheetahs combined!!!!!
@StevieS (Comment 85) : and yet seemingly no contracted senior players!?!?!?!
Time for: #wheredidthemoneygo !?!?!?!?!
@Farlington (Comment 83) : think SBW is going to try to get into NZ 7’s team.
@Mutley (Comment 81) : if the Lions hurry there’s a couple of loosies available in PE!?!?!?! ;-P
@Mutley (Comment 81) : You’re assuming he will get selected because he wants to go? In that case, I want to go too!
Not to sound too opportunistic. But Sharks can clean up quickly. Get rid of some deadwood immediately and buy some quality in place. Bye Murray, Oosthuizen, Adriaanse, Astle. Kill Brendon ‘ s advisor role and buy a whole extra front row and maybe one or two backline players before they leave the country.
If anyone is counting votes I’ll add my hell yes! For Sykes. Good player and good captain.
this is so sad, what the heck. I made them my second team in 2013 cause they were such huge under dogs and so many people were against them because of who theu perceive cheeky watson to be and because of what luke watson said at uct
very few people gave them a fair chance
and then they played really really well in 2013, much better than people thought they would anyway
so i was looking forward to seeing them in 2016
and now teams in and abroad are going to cherry pick most of their best players
my god
we should try and get Gqoboka (his a monster and Sykes
@revolverocelot (Comment 98) : I wasn’t a fan originally, but I admired the sheer guts and determination they showed.
The Lions are my second team because of the way that they play, but I respected what Solomons and the players did.
You’re right when you say that their players will be cherry picked. It’ll be a bargain.
@revolverocelot (Comment 98) : the ep u19 and wp 21 have good players also.sharks need to look at getting players from there.
Tighthead props like wilco louw (1.86m 132kg) and frans van wyk (1.89/90m 125/128kg).
Daniel du plessis (michael du plessis’ son) at 12 and ew viljoen at 13.this is 4 i can think of the sharks could try and lure to dbn .esp the 2 tightheads are going to be stuck behind malherbe and koch.do they want to play superrugby?and more than 1 or 2 games of ±30 mins?they are both baby boks.
The sharks are in the position to actually put on the table the real possibility of extended superrugby gametime.
Sure eddie jones is in ct but do those kids just want to run moves on the training field?
There is plenty of talent there.we must identify asap and move in.
any news about us possibly getting Ruan botha
I also take jean Kleyn if we could get him
@revolverocelot (Comment 102) : yes we need a quality 5 lock.
Tighthead prop is giving me a headache.i read thomas du toit wants to play there.
Majola is a loosehead prop.
Coenie and adriaanse -both injury prone-and thomas are our options.
Loosehead there is beast -who needs to be rested ,because a fresh beast still has a lot to offer used running into space at pace.and majola.the other options?i put coenie and thomas down for cover.not sure of the rest.thats why i have majola down behind beast.would like to include juan schoeman also.
@StevieS (Comment 99) : Although the Kings did not get their spot via the right channels, the performed beyond expectations based on time they had to prepare. An intercept by Stokkies Hanekom knocked them out of the promotion game, they did beat the Lions in JHB in a thrilling game. However all that good work was undone with all the poor / arrogant mangement in place. Either SARU or the board has to take immediate action but for the last three months payment has been a disaster and action should have happened already. The thirst for quality rugby in the EC is so high, this can result in a massive travesty and dire consequences for local players, clubs and structures. In fairness the Kings needed quite a few quality players as the current crop would be massacred by the Argies. This is still going to play out like a soap drama over the next few days
@Kabouter (Comment 104) : ja they’re in real trouble as a lot of the top will go to other teams and after this whole messy story how will you draw any new players never mind Super rugby quality players?!?! Only way this can work is if SA rugby bosses takes over control and management of the Kings!!!!
*shake head* So sad…
sorry guys . Lizo Gqoboka has signed a Bok contract
(this is the equivalent of signing for the bulls )
According to the EP Kings this morning only Gqoboka and Whitehead has given intend to leave the union so far….
Poor old S.P wonder how he feels about his decision to leave the Sharks and return to the Kings now.
Guys, just read that the Bulls signed Lizo. So there’s that chance gone then…
@Another Nick (Comment 110) : What is there to say, but the Sharks are obviously sleeping.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 111) : Ja, or the Bulls simply put in a better offer. Not sure where he would have been in the pecking order at the Sharks.. perhaps he thinks playing for the Bulls will improve his chances of playing for the Boks? 😉
@Uli Boelie (Comment 111) : @Another Nick (Comment 112) : Personally I think we would be better served by getting a tighthead from the Kings. While I rate Gqoboka, we do have Beast, Thomas, Majola, Schoeman (do we still have Chadwick?)…plus Coenie can cover there. But at tighthead we look a bit thin. So I would rather go for Tom Botha…
Here’s what I would do:
Re-appoint HM for 2 more years… Simply because I can’t see anyone actually available right now who is any better.
In those 2 years groom Eddie Jones in the ways of the unique monster that is “South African rugby”… Then appoint Eddie and watch the Boks become a team we can be proud of again 🙂
@CS (Comment 114) : Agh… Somehow posted in the wrong thread 🙁
@Uli Boelie (Comment 111) : I just hope we are really smart about this and get Luther. Agaba is very tempting but that would mean the end for Mthembu. I like Mthembu a lot but I like the Sharks more. Just wish the Sharks could be more ruthless when it comes to players that are no longer in the top 5 in the country in their positions. Take Odwa, he is no longer in the top 5 number 14 in SA. Why are we not making the hard decisions the Bulls seem to make every year. Luther should be already signed by John Smit as he is the future,especially if we want to play an open game. Never mind the added advantage that he is of the right colour (if you consider the SARU targets) and would be there on merit. Flip, I would even sign Agaba as our loose trio has not been balanced since Keegan left us. The skills Agaba brings to the field can’t be ignored. Imagine him and Phillip in our squad? Centre and lock still remain a headache for me. Number 4 is my biggest concern followed by number 5, 12 and 13. Centre is more a quality and depth concern. I’m very undecided about Jordan at 13 cause he has the natural skills to bring a different dimension if coaches would for once do their job and he could stay injury free. Maybe his best position is wing? It’s an injustice for players like Jordan not to have a quality coach that will bring out their natural talents. I just hope he still has the hunger and will to live up to all that promise he once showed and that Rob can make something out of him. Was reading what Eddie Jones has planned for the Stormers earlier. Wow!!
@GreatSharksays (Comment 117) : should the sharks not just rather consider jordaan on the wing ?play sithole at 13?
Is lukhanyo am from border an outside centre?
So I see the Kings are at least still signing a bunch of blokes…I wonder what the camp is like at the moment and whether any more are leaving…so far it is 5 players leaving?
http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super-rugby/70025-aussie-headlines-kings-signings
And this doesn’t inspire much confidence! What exactly are SARU monitoring? Are they seriously only monitoring a situation where the players are ALREADY not being paid? And then when they are asked the material question they just say no comment? I’m not impressed by SARU’s leadership in this matter…
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/kings-clock-is-ticking-hoskins
@50shadesofshark (Comment 117) : That’s an option.
@pastorshark (Comment 118) : wonder when these players signed? was it before the news about the non payment or after?
@50shadesofshark (Comment 117) : @GreatSharksays (Comment 120) : problem is I think only JW sees Sithole as a option at 13 so can’t see him shift back to 13 unless RdP has the same ideas as JW.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 117) : I think Jordaan would make a good wing. But im not sure what more Sithole would bring to the 13 position that Jordaan doesnt? At least Jordaan has had time there so understands it from a defensive perspective. But if we really do want to attack then play Jordaan and Sithole in the centres
@pastorshark (Comment 118) : “”All players were punctual and professional.” …..can the same be said of all the administrators.
@pastorshark (Comment 119) : The Kings as a Super Rugby franchise is a thing of SARU’s making, how they cant see that their involvement in making it a success (and that doesnt mean winning the tournament) is gobsmacking. Things should never have got to this.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 125) : Welcome to business in Africa…wait till disaster then only think about getting a solution together.
@SheldonK (Comment 126) : Its just crazy.
@pastorshark (Comment 118) : I think we can expect a mass exodus if the sponsorship doesn’t materialise.
Nobody will stay if they won’t be paid. SARU will have to bail them out in the end I think if they want the players to stay.
@SheldonK (Comment 123) : That’s been tried and, to my mind, the back line always looked disjointed and wasted Jordaan as a player. If you want to play attack, you need a distributor in the 12 jersey…
@JR (Comment 129) : The only distributor the Sharks have is Heimar Williams or at a stretch Lionel Cronje. People hated Meyer Bosman when he was here…but he is showing in France why a good passer at 12 is key
@SheldonK (Comment 130) : A multi skilled distributor is a must at 12 if you are serious about getting your back line to function. That obviously means little if your 9 clears the ball slower than a high school scrumhalf. For me we have a challenge at centre (12 and 13) and at lock (4 and 5).
@GreatSharksays (Comment 131) : In terms of the 12 i just like to compare the All Blacks before and after Nonu improved his distribution and kicking game…makes a massive difference as opposition cant just shut down the 10. I would say we have a number of guys that could play in the 4,5,12,13 positions but perhaps we dont have a genuine out and out quality guy there. I really believe we need Potgieter playing 4 though. And id like to see a guy like McDuling get more time at 5 perhaps.