My big question here, why are we as fans so passionate about the Sharks?
Is it a way of living, is it a dream that we all once had and could not complete, is this a dream that some of us touched sometime in life?
Think for once how the coaches need to try and keep everyone happy that calls himself a supporter, not only to the guys and gals that are part of Sharksworld, the fans that flock to the stadium on game day, the multitude of people watching the game at home, the supporter groups that come together and make a whole bring and braai of it?
We are all passionate when it concerns that Sharks, the black and white jersey. We see these guys living a dream that we would have loved to. The coaches may not always make everyone happy, the starting team this week might include players that we are not happy about, it may also include the whole match 23 that we love, but at the end of the day it is the results that we are after. If we win almost all is good, if we lose , then we try and do an investigation as to why that happened; we all have our own thoughts and beliefs about what the reasons is for the loss, it might be that we feel there was too much kicking, that there were too many handling errors, a lack of control by the tight five, the line outs, breakdowns… the list can be endless with possibilities, it might even be the whole list combined?
I think that all of us get hyped up a lot with the pre-season games. Yes, we played a bit differently than what we do now, might this just not be because we had actually nothing to lose in these two game, and they were just scheduled to get the guys game fitness and game time, to see what combinations work and which ones were better? The start of Super Rugby is then different as we as fans do want our team to win, as winning takes us higher up on the log, and creating superiority over that team, that is what we all want that our team be the superior one, not only in Super Rugby, but in the world. The bigger the superiority the bigger our pride becomes, and the bigger our passion and love for our team becomes
Just imagine if Willie could create something magically every time he gets the ball, pick a gap where there is almost none (will give him credit that he can almost), If Lambie can kick over 100% of the time. Just imagine Kyle Cooper getting all his line out work correct all the time, would you believe if if Joe caught every ball ever passed to him, if Coetzee won every turn over at every ruck he ever had been involved in. This would be a serious team if they could do all that, and we would not have enough money in the banks of SA combined to keep any one of them, not even a whole team of guys that can’t make any mistakes, these guys are human just as we are, we get so worked up and passionate because that is what we want them to do, run over every team with a 50+ score.
I for one won’t argue that we still have a lot of work in the Sharks team, most of the guys have experience in the highest level, but there are a lot of young guys also that is still trying to find there feet, and some games they will come of and some games not, I do not think that we should crucify them every time they do something wrong, you won’t learn anything in life or on a rugby field if you have never made a mistake, the best life and rugby lessons comes from making mistakes, the same also applies for the coaches. Super Rugby is different from any other tournament in the world, just look at what is happening to the Jaguares currently , ranked no 4 on the IRB rankings as Argentina and they are finding the going difficult. Rob Du Preez was the head coach of the Leopards which in all is still basically a Vodacom Cup team, he is also still finding his feet at this level; Gary Gold is in his 1st complete season as DOR, they will also gain a lot of experience through the mistakes that are made, and will learn from them.
We all would like a polished performance from the guys in the team, we have a lot of diamonds in the current squad, but to cut and polish a diamond doesn’t happen over night, it takes time and dedication, the rough diamonds in our team is getting shaped, and once all the cutting and polishing is done it will be a team that will shine the brightest with the talent pool we have. Some diamonds take longer to get cut and polished than others, but they still turn out to be amazing pieces.
One of my favourite sport quotes:
I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.” – Tom Landry
This is a catch 22 for everyone, coaches players, management and us as the fans, some love to see the ball being given air from the 1st whistle, some love the physicality , some will love the battle tactics behind the game plan. The key is to find the perfect balance in all aspects of the game and combine all of them, this comes from cohesion, not only from the team members but the coaching staff also, the more time they spent together the better all of them will understand each other, and understand what the coaches want to do and what their objectives are.
We are passionate about the Sharks, because we see a lot of ourselves in these guys, and we want the best for all of them every weekend, they are like children, brothers, friends and family to us.
Keep the passion and keep the faith, the diamond is in progress of being shaped into a very great jewel!
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Great article, and I get the sentiment Henk.
Having said that, I still feel we’re kicking the ball a bit too much. It looks like we’re not confident to run it.
Nice article Henk. Hope it’s well received.
@StevieS (Comment 1) : I think we are still looking for the balanced game plan, where we play the right way at the Wright time, but I’m confident that is not to far off
Well written article. And im definitely on the same page. The wonderful thing about sport is that every team has a chance going into a contest…no advantage in terms of points is given because a team has a better coach or players or even a perceived game plan. Its fully up to the players to execute on the day better than their opposition to get the result. Players and coaches will make mistakes during a game…that i can guarantee of any team. The opposition will be better or worse than they were last week. There are so many factors involved that it can never be a guaranteed result…and thats why sport is awesome. As a supporter you back you team because its your team…not because they all think exactly the same as you do and do whatever you want. You support because its your team…you enjoy the wins…you mourn the losses and be critical but the next game you fully support again because its your team.
Thanks Henk…
Its not about winning all the time. Team of 90’s did not win that often. But they won important games. And played a brand that caused all of us to be happy Sharks supporters. It faded away early 2000’s and then Plum came in and put us on the map again. Lets hope Rob can do the same and take it up a notch.
@ebenp (Comment 6) : I think we also need to bear in mind that rugby only turned professional in about ’96 i think and then only really reached the proper professional era towards the end of the 90s.I still think Sa teams in general not just the Sharks struggled to adapt to the professional environment and what was expected of a professional athlete and team. And that quite possibly had an effect on not only the game plan but the type of player that was selected. If i look at the school boys coming through the ranks in the last couple years…these are the professional athletes that we needed to develop from the late 90s.
@Henkb (Comment 3) : I agree.
I want to see our players empowered to play what’s in front of them. I think we’re getting there slowly but surely.
I wish to tender my resignation from Sharks World. No offense fellow Sharks fans. But if you think a 4 week ban is a bit harse then you have failed rugby and in particular Sharks rugby. All the best
@ebenp (Comment 9) : My reaction isnot on any comments on this post but I thought the title suited it. Passion for Sharks is one thing but tweeting bull shit just pushed me over the edge. I would gladly support any other forum regarding the Sharks… But SW has seen the end of me.
@ebenp (Comment 10) : Interesting reaction based on a couple tweets on a bit of an arbitrary topic…
@ebenp (Comment 9) : I shared my opinion. It’s what I do here. You’re welcome to disagree, so long as you do it respectfully and don’t engage in abuse.
Throwing your toys like a teenage drama queen really isn’t necessary, but if that’s what you want to do, by all means.
Did I miss something here now?
@Henkb (Comment 13) : You and me both…
Seems to be a Twitter issue?
Kids these days. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 12) : Sorry all caught up, I think that Sanzaaaaaar normal give a 1-2 week ban for similar types of offenses, and more in general for a red card offense, bar a couple but that was serious dirty play, and I know Willie landed extremely bad, and it could have been a lot worse, but replays show they actually both went up in the air, Emery’s timing was a bit of and went up later and thus causing him to go under neath Willie and as such took out his legs
@FireTheLooser (Comment 14) : I’m like you said previously, rather a farter than a tweeter 🙂
@FireTheLooser (Comment 14) : I tweeted that I thought the 4-week ban for Emery was harsh.
Anyone else want to overreact to that?
@Henkb (Comment 15) : The problem was Emery wasnt looking at the ball at all. He may have slightly got off the ground but his contact was shoulder charge into LeRoux while he was in the air causing LeRoux to land very dangerously. This is a target area for World Rugby referees so the ban makes perfect sense to me. He will ‘miss’ a few club games so doubt will miss many Highlanders games…and he isnt first choice anyway.
Good grief – South Africans really are an angry bunch nowadays.
@robdylan (Comment 17) : With that scenario being a target area for refs in 2016 i understand the four weeks. But with club games able to be thrown into the mix i doubt he will miss more than 2 highlanders games at most
@robdylan (Comment 17) : If it was Estebeth, Deysel or even Andre Esterhuysen it might have been 6 weeks. I do feel that as a first time at a disciplinary hearing they might have suspended it to 3 weeks. Sapoaga getting off without a sanction for his deliberate charge is farcical though. Intent from Emery is debatable, he did look up at Willie at the last moment, it looks horrific in slow motion, but not that purposeful in real time. Sapoaga on the other hand went for Reinach with all intent. Your opinion Rob?
@robdylan (Comment 17) : I’m fresh out of over reactions. Rain check?
@SheldonK (Comment 18) : will miss 4 weeks .
@vanmartin (Comment 22) : sure pal. I’ll try write something extra-provocative tomorrow. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 24) : That’s very considerate of you. Much appreciated sir!
@ebenp (Comment 10) : 😯 😯 😯
@robdylan (Comment 12) : Resignation accepted…
@robdylan (Comment 17) : Are you nuts!!!! I’m out of here….:twisted:
I’m shocked that a kiwi got such a severe ban on kiwi soil.
@jdolivier (Comment 21) : I do agree with you, as far as I get it, it was his 1st offense of this type, he is not a regular bad offensee if I can call it that, and surely they might have reduced it or suspended it on that regard
@vanmartin (Comment 22) : I’m storing mine up for when it might really be needed… 😀
@pastorshark (Comment 30) : I used mine a couple of weeks ago, so momentum is building again, but no use saying something in the heat of the moment like what he said, and I also learned that after I said on the site what I have said
@vanmartin (Comment 22) : After a certain person in power made such a sweeping statement, seemingly banning all hosting of international sporting events in SA – and then clarifying that it only effects the events we’ll probably not be hosting in any case (unless we extend our bribes to sports outside of certain sporting codes)….I’d say nobody has much over-reaction left anymore. 🙂
@FireTheLooser (Comment 32) : don’t cross the red tape, meneer…. 🙂
@FireTheLooser (Comment 32) : Tongue firmly bitten…this falls firmly in the “No comment” section…
Not that it comes as a surprise, but I see Rassie has now formally resigned.
@robdylan (Comment 33) : I really tried hard not to cross the red line with that red line subject – fit in so well with the over reaction angle though…..but I will cease and desist. 🙂
@pastorshark (Comment 34) : That’s the great thing about Sharksworld, people are able to read my comment and not go into full-blown stupid mode….other sites would go completely bonkers without any self-restraint.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 36) : good man
@FireTheLooser (Comment 37) : FJELN!!!!! 🙂
@Culling Song (Comment 35) : I was about to write that…just saw it now…
@robdylan (Comment 38) :
Nice article Henk – thanks for the effort.
Somebody throwing an FJELN over that tweet? Ek weetie! 😯
@Culling Song (Comment 35) : @robdylan (Comment 38) : @Big Fish (Comment 41) : Rassie to SARU: FJELN!
And just for the record I’m trying to get offended by the fact that everyone on SW has an opinion on everything but meh… effort…
@vanmartin (Comment 42) :
Clearly you lack passion…
@vanmartin (Comment 42) : @Big Fish (Comment 43) : maybe a FEJL(Le)N feeling
@Big Fish (Comment 43) : I want to respond by stating that I’m really trying here but that would lying which also requires some mental effort
I know I have said that I wouldn’t comment on these palookas again, but if this is true…
http://m.sport24.co.za/sport24/Rugby/VarsityCup/varsity-cup-saga-ukzn-being-told-to-keep-quiet-20160425
…then the only thing these *#%*#% (insert colourful name of choice) deserve is contempt of the very highest order!!! I think this has moved way beyond the ability to ever regain my trust and interest. Should ambassadors of this slop, like Francois Pienaar not show some integrity and say something? Ag…I’m throwing this in the trash where it belongs!!
@pastorshark (Comment 46) : That rug being subjected to all the sweeping-under of all tye unsavoury activities in VC, must be resembling a mountain by now.
Somewhere, somebody will receive a big enough payment to make this issue completely disappear. 😉
@FireTheLooser (Comment 47) : Pfff…into the trash…
@pastorshark (Comment 48) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 47) : will this now be to the FJELN guy / the Farcity cup as I think they must go hide in some hole for a while
@robdylan (Comment 17) : yes think it’s more about how Willie landed that his actions that caused his long ban. So ja maybe a bit harsh but then again good to see it’s not only SA players that gets suspected.
#FarcityCup needs to start trending on social media
I see Nandolo has also copped 4 weeks for his tackle. Is this how they keeping the NZ players fresh for the playoffs? hehe 🙂
@FireTheLooser (Comment 32) : Its like living life in your own Comedy Central sitcom, dated and rerun to death.
@pastorshark (Comment 46) : Varsity Cup Mafiioso. I wonder how much Bosman is paying Stelzner to look for / invent loopholes in this whole sorry saga.
Karma can be a bitch,
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 54) : I have this feeling that the UKZN ruling wont apply to Pukke because of some tiny hidden clause and because KPMG have signed him off…there are already signs of this being delayed and postponed and quietly brushed under the carpet. Id be very very surprised to see Pukke docked the points as UKZN were…very surprised.
Exactly, it would be such a huge embarrassment for them to now have to essentially go and dethrone their champion and effectively replay 2 semi finals and a final. Pathetic really.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 56) : Yup…they will just get a bigger carpet to sweep it under..
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 54) : There some chickens that I just love when they come home to roost…