Rob Jr starts at 10, but this time Rob Sr has no choice as Fassi is out with a shoulder injury. Bosch comes back in the team at fullback.
Burden went along on the flight to Australia, but Cullen Collopy will have to make the step up from club & SRC level to a Super Rugby QF should Kerron van Vuuren need replacement.
15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Mzamo Majola
Replacements: 16 Cullen Collopy, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Luke Stringer, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Rhyno Smith.
Brumbies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 James Slipper, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Jahrome Brown, 22 Matt Lucas, 23 Tom Wright.
Tweet
Craig as his surname is turning out to be a burden on the unions’ finances. Thanks for the article. We really have a shot of winning this game
My heart says Sharks, my brain says Brumbies by 5
@jdolivier (Comment 1) : Burden is on the “‘Jacques Potgieter Deal” at the Sharks
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : And some people are keen on Paul Jordaan as well.
Ruan Pienaar as well I hear. Looks like Sharks are the old age home of SA Rugby. Access to medical care whilst enjoying time with friends and family. The added benefit of not playing and being paid.
What about underdog wins all around with a possible final at Loftus with the Sharks? 2007 revenge match!
@Keagan_Sharks (Comment 6) : Stop smoking that stuff it will destroy your brain 😉
Maybe Burden is filling in as attack and defence coach.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 8) : Attacking the buffet and defending his spot on the physio table? 😎
@Keagan_Sharks (Comment 5) : Theres a difference between Ruan Pienaar and Craig Burden,Ruan had a fantastic career in Ireland right up to his last game,Burden hardly played in France and was given a free release from his club.
We could do a lot worse than Ruan at 9 or 10,just watching how well a guy like Stephen Donald fitted in at the Chiefs same age as Ruan 35,he was never the first choice but he filled in for injuries handoff the
You can’t pay enough money for the experience Ruan would brigand unlike Burden he always was and is match fit
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : 1000 percent
@The hound (Comment 10) : agree with you, was being more tongue in cheek with my comments. Always rated Ruan, would be massive if he came back and mentored our boys. As for the Loftus final I concede that is a tik pipe dream lol. However if miracles do happen, let them favor the Sharks. Would be great to rub it in Stranskys, Mallets and Kempsons faces collectively if we win the Super Rugby final this year.
😯
I am disappointed with the selection of Du Preez JNR and the justification to it. I am however not surprised as I have already hinted towards the arrogance of politicians, etc. I am even more disappointed with us accepting the explanation. Maybe I watch a different match last week than some, but I am of opinion that JNR once again failed in the very basics of a fly half in managing the team. Within the first half, one of his kicks were blocked, he had a forward pass and missed a tackle. Rhyno Smith had a decent match and he could have played at full back.
I am not too sure about next year, but I really hope that Teichman would stay and found a way in releasing SNR from his obligations, but then again maybe SNR might be a different coach if his children are not in the team.
Personally, I would obviously wanted Plumtree back, but I assume that ship has sailed for now, Maybe Dick Muir. I’ve heard that Andre Joubert is also doing some minor coaching.
@Keagan_Sharks (Comment 6) :
Ai ai ai
If I wanted to fantasize or dream about these finals, why on earth would I include the Bulls? It might rather have been something like all the away teams win their games, excluding the Bulls. That would result in us playing a home semi-final against the Chiefs and then if the Highlanders beat the Hurricanes we would have a home final against them.
As I said, if I wanted to fantasize or dream about these finals……..
The sad thing if that miracle occurs, we would have to congratulate SNR like as if he is the best thing that ever happened to us. I reckon that is his fantasy or dream….
@BluffShark (Comment 13) : So what are your thoughts on smart cities and bullet trains?
@BluffShark (Comment 14) : A true supporter – would rather lose because you dont like the coach than take the win. Last weeks game must have been hell for you, Stormers just keeping their nose n front for the whole game and then Splat, 2 minutes after the hooter the Sharks win – a nightmare scenario for you.
@BluffShark (Comment 13) : I understand where you’re coming from.
@revolverocelot (Comment 17) : Not if you’ve ever been to the Bluff,
I’d rather the Sharks be the next SA team to win the Super Rugby trophy above all else.
@The hound (Comment 18) :
Not sure what you are implying 😉 😉 😉
, but sounds like you are cautious of the Bluff…. 😕 😕 😕
Watching Crusaders /Highlanders just realise how absolutely good this Sharks team can be.
We went there this year and we were never behind the Crusaders the whole game,it took bullshit refereeing to give them a draw, but the fact is they couldn’t beat us.,on their home pitch
No other team in the past three years can say that.
@BluffShark (Comment 20) : No just questioning whether he really does understand where you come from 😉
@BluffShark (Comment 20) : @The hound (Comment 22) : Do the toughies still come from the Bluff.
The nicest, kindest, sweetest girl (now matured) I know is from the Bluff.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 23) : Ha ha Warren Whiteley comes from the Bluff so not sure where that places them. Overall I would suggest its a pretty laid back place or at least I have found it to be when playing a bit of golf at their course and having a couple beers after.
@The hound (Comment 21) : Watching that game I thought that everyone else is playing for second place…
@pastorshark (Comment 25) : going to be tough to beat Saders and Jaguares at home so thiink it should be a Saders vs Jaguares final!
Horrible start, brumbies score within a minute, 7-0
Brumbies show how a guy hitting the ball and a gap at the same time will almost always result in a break
14-3
So 14-3 after 12 minutes, if the sharks don’t wake up we’re getting 50 on us today
2 tries behind and we go for poles. 14-6
Typically Louis, trading penalties for tries
We loose Paul and Dan
@Bokhoring (Comment 33) : Unless we get 3 lucky intercepts, this is not looking good at all
Sharks have all the territory…no points. That seems to me to be one of the major problems in SA rugby…
As hound said…this team certainly has the potential to be great, they show glimpses of actually be great…but that is where it stays…
Still, should we lose, last week’s minute after the hooter against the Stormers to boot them out and progress ourselves…has just about redeemed the season for me!
17-6, we have no answers to their speed and pressure
The pace of the Brumbies game and their precision is at least 100% better than the Sharks…
@pastorshark (Comment 37) : It looks like a superrugby team against a high school team at the moment
@jdolivier (Comment 36) : Yup…speed, pace of thinking and playing is the key…and they are just much better at that!
This is going to get ugly…
@pastorshark (Comment 40) : We’re fucked, absolutely no plan b, as per usual. Brumbies did their homework, we thought just pitching up is enough
So…in recent weeks we have been thumped by the Canes and by the Jaguars and now by the Brumbies…really disappointing, really concerning…where are we going?
And the Brumbies forwards destroy us with a maul. Can see old Laurie Fischer’s hand in how these Brumbies forwards play
Brumbies essentially at a point a minute. But Rob snr will keep his job
@pastorshark (Comment 39) : We seem to be happy playing a slow grinding it out game.
@Bokhoring (Comment 43) : Not entering through the gates, playing players off the ball and slowing down every ruck, yip, usual ozzy play
Getting out classed, no surprise… Thanks for the cc Rob, maybe you should let someone else take the wheel.
Yes we beat the stormers last week, but the stormers are only marginally worse off than us 😐
There we play quicker…immediately look dangerous, but then get bogged down by inaccuracy again…we are just not as good as the opposition…
@jdolivier (Comment 46) : Hmmm…I just think we are ponderous and they aren’t…and that is a fundamental issue…
@pastorshark (Comment 48) : You play the way you practice, and you practice the way the coach wants……………..
@pastorshark (Comment 48) : Just basics missing
@pastorshark (Comment 49) : Always play to the ref. If he misses a few things, adapt.
@Bokhoring (Comment 51) : yup…
@jdolivier (Comment 52) : just do the damn basics right…
@jdolivier (Comment 52) : If you play at speed refs will miss a couple of things. If you play in treacle the ref will spot every infringement
@pastorshark (Comment 54) : These boys don’t know the basics, evident all season
Did Tom Banks play Aussie Rules before – quite a strange kicking style
@Bokhoring (Comment 55) : All comes down to coaching, every single time we complain about basics, execution and game plan, all coaching
Oh…my…word…
We have lost the black art of mauling
Oh…my…word…just school boy stuff…repeatedly…how kak has our maul been all season?
Next week’s match in BA will be a cracker
We had a no-nonsense coach who insisted on players doing the basics (and putting in extra time if needed). Player power got rid of him
Coenie must come off ref has decided to ping him, even the aussie commentary is questioning the scrum calls
Every scrum…rubbish…
Every lineout…nothing…
Phases…rare…and going nowhere…
Basics…just not there…
And the result is we have played an embarrassing half of rugby against a good Brumbies side that has been the exact opposite!!
@pastorshark (Comment 61) : All the experience of Laurie Fischer against Jaco Pienaar 🙄
29% territory for the Brumbies and they lead 3 tries to nill
Coenie has been awful. Responsible for first 2 tries even if mallet and Co blame Rdp Jr for the 2nd. Du toit on please.
@Bokhoring (Comment 67) : exactly…
Anybody that expected anything different after our season is seriously deluded.
Come on Sharks! Give it all in the next half. If you have to loose make it a close one. We can still smash and grab this 1.
What we do is soooooo easy to read!!
Ai…aiaiai…aiaiaiaiaiaiaiaiaiai…
Pon…der…ous…
Du Preez must start putting his foot down on players mastering the basics of rugby and instill some competition for places. Too many senior players know they’re safe to start no matter what
Kerron Van Vuuren and Ruben van Heerden have been working their arses off
@Bokhoring (Comment 76) : Don’t throw Stringer away
Esterhuyzen scores eventually. Absolutely brute strength
World rugby really need to sort out the breakdown. Brumbies should be penalised at every breakdown. In from the side, interfereing with scrumhalf. Off feet
24-13. Brumbies seems to have fallen asleep a bit. Can the Sharks capitalize and make this game competitive
How is that not hands in the ruck
5 goes at it
Time to inject Cam into the game
We’ve at least been better in the last 15 minutes…but we still can’t maul for shit…
@pastorshark (Comment 84) : As well as the ref deciding that a brumbie falling to his knee in the scrum is a penalty for them
I get all the comments about the ref here…but to be honest, we are just our own worst enemies…no penetration…my view: we are just not quite good enough…
Go ahead boys…prove me wrong!!
@pastorshark (Comment 86) : you going to tell me the ref has any understanding about coming through the gate after that last lenalty
I am thankful that the boys have not capitulated and have displayed some pride. We aren’t quite good enough but the boys have displayed pride…and I appreciate that…
Thats not a try, it’s a penalty for obstruction
Cleaned out behind the ruck and opened the gap for the try
Brumbies get a rare chance inside our 10 and Powell sneaks through. Lazy defense being used a lot by the commentators
@byron (Comment 87) : I get that…so why aren’t we doing the same? Why are we knocking balls, why aren’t we hitting space, why are we unimaginative, why do we have such lazy defence to concede the killing try…
No…we are not losing because of the ref. We are losing because we just have not been good enough…
@pastorshark (Comment 92) : because we get penalised …. Every time
@pastorshark (Comment 92) : Agreed
@pastorshark (Comment 86) : 70? territory 80? of the ball for 30min of the second half and they can only score 1 try!?!?!? Can’t blame the ref for that!!! That’s just poor attacking play!!!
@pastorshark (Comment 92) : All season…..
Collopy will add 3 minutes to his 1 minute already
@pastorshark (Comment 92) : and you’re allowed to come through the middle (doubtfully) release and rejoin from the wrong side to turnover the ball
And surely the last pass is a forward pass
Brumbies do know how to attack the gaps – we don’t
@byron (Comment 93) : We have had 80% possession in the second half! So clearly not penalised enough!
We have done NOTHING with that ball. That knock right there…I rest my case…and then letting in that try…penalizing has nothing to do with rubbish passing, poor running lines, amateur handling. No, I think trying to blame the ref is either just frustration or one-sided perspective.
@byron (Comment 99) : Dude – we got away with at least 3 forward passes ourselves
@Bokhoring (Comment 100) : Exactly…that is skill…not refereeing…
This team is crying out for professional coaching.
We were beaten by a much better side. Congratulations Brumbies…
Ref shit, sharks worse. Why does anyone allow Rob snr to get away with being pathetic. Last 3 games against decent opponents we have been found wanting. 3 fucking years and zero changes. The try from am last week sums up our entire game plan, wait and hope a team mate does something miraculous. We didn’t deserve to be there tonight. Honestly under Adolf du preez snr, we are lucky not to have lost every single game. As soon as our forwards don’t dominate, we are disgraceful. Where is plan b Mr du preez, you’ve had 3 seasons with one of the best teams on paper. #bringbackplum #fuckoffsnr
We were outplayed by a much better team. I may just stay up late for the semi in BA – will be a cracking game between two well coached and skilled teams
I am thankful for the fight they showed in the second half…but just fight wasn’t enough…
@Bokhoring (Comment 107) : agreed…
@Bokhoring (Comment 104) : When does Rob Snr’s contract expire btw?
There is no way that performance can be explained as anything other than poor preparation. Like the team management didn’t do their homework. With coach Rob under pressure, the ‘cockroach’ barbs are going to flow thick and fast, and he opened himself up for it. The mere fact that the Sharks snuck in the quarter-finals with a smash-and-grab was a result that belied their true status on the log. In light of this, coach Rob should do the honourable thing. He’s more publicly defensive than I would be if I were in his position. And until he resigns, there is nowhere for the team to go. My pride-swallowing firmly in place, but the Bulls looked prepared the way the Sharks should have been but weren’t. Which makes me suspect they’re half-arseing it. The Sharks management set-up needs a good dose of funding and professionalism that goes with it.
@HeinF (Comment 110) : 2020 apparently
SA Rugby announces contracting model overhaul
Cape Town – A creative overhaul of the South African player contracting model will lead to improved use of resources, greater national and provincial alignment and improved succession planning at Springbok level, it was announced on Friday.
The ground-breaking system was achieved through unprecedented co-operation between SA Rugby, the rugby employers (the South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation, SAREO) and the players’ organisation (MyPlayers).
For the first time since rugby turned professional in 1996, SA Rugby will no longer directly contract Springboks. While in a second major change, provincial unions have agreed to a cap player budgets.
“I would like to thank and congratulate SAREO, MyPlayers and Rassie Erasmus, our director of rugby, for setting aside purely sectional interest to come up with a new model that we believe will have long term benefits for all in rugby,” said Jurie Roux , CEO of SA Rugby.
“The existing model plainly was not working; the rugby economy could not continue to support such a large, fully professionalised workforce while the strategy to retain top players in South Africa had become too narrowly focused.
“The new model will see our best players properly looked after from a payment point of view – in the South African context – as well as from a player management and development point of view. At the same time it will improve the financial sustainability of unions by controlling budgets and sharing out the Springbok payment budget through the unions to a broader pool of players.”
“There will be challenges and growing pains I am sure, but for the first time the three constituent parties in the player journey – the players themselves, the employers and the national body – have been able to sit down, take a strategic view and come up with what we believe will lead to a more sustainable future for the game.”
Key outcomes of the agreement:
– Joint development of players of national interest (PONI) by unions and Springbok management
– Caps on squad size and player budgets per union
– Identified categories for payment: professional; semi-professional and development players (21 or younger who have not been offered a professional contract)
– And a “commitment clause” by which young players will be rewarded for longer term commitment to South Africa.
“The players fully support the model as it provides a clear career development pathway and greater certainty around contract renewals for players, while financial resources with regards to player salaries will be optimised,” said Eugene Henning , CEO of MyPlayers.
“The model is a positive development for the industry and should contribute to the long-term health of the game”
The overhaul follows a strategic assessment of the current contracting system against a backdrop of rising player costs, constrained union incomes and the ongoing departures overseas of South African players, said Barend van Graan , CEO of SAREO.
“The new model promises to overcome these challenges and to create a more sustainable contracting system tailored to the specific needs of the South African rugby industry,” he said.
“A complementary series of mechanisms are at the heart of the new contracting system. All player contracts – including those of Springboks – will be held by the provinces as the primary employers of professional rugby players.”
Rudolf Straeuli , SAREO chairperson, added: “Players required for Springbok duties will be ‘seconded’ by the provinces to SA Rugby. The national Director of Rugby will identify Players of National Interest (PONI Players) at the various provinces, and will cooperate with those provinces, through an agreed ‘high-performance programme’, to ensure that PONI players are contracted and deployed to the benefit of both the provinces and the Springboks.”
Straeuli said that key to the new contracting model would be a reliance on fewer contracted players and greater use of younger “development players” and club players (on a short-term, injury replacement basis).
To deliver the player reduction, limits have been agreed on the number of contracted players per union and an overall remuneration limit.
The player categories are:
– Professional players (full-time players) who will be eligible to play in Vodacom Super Rugby, PRO14 and Currie Cup Premier Division competitions;
– Semi-professional players (part-time rugby players) who may only be contracted to play in the Currie Cup First Division and in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge;
– And development players (21 or younger who have not been offered professional contracts) who will play in the Under-21 and Under-20 competitions. However, they may be made available as temporary replacements for professional and semi-professional players;
– Club players may be contracted as temporary replacements for injured professional and semi-professional players.
Critically, agreement had been reached on squad size and player salary bill:
– Super Rugby, PRO14 or Currie Cup Premier Division unions may not contract more than 45 professional players and have a salary bill greater than R60m (which will be phased in over three years) or of more than R15m in the case of the Pumas and Griquas.
– Currie Cup First Division teams may contract no more than 23 professional players or more than 40 players in total (including semi-professional players). Their remuneration cap is set at R6m.
– Unions may contract an unlimited number of development players providing they stay within a cap of R10m for Super Rugby and PRO14 unions (reducing to R7.5m in year two) and R1m for all other teams.
The unlimited development player pool is designed to provide a reservoir for identifying and nurturing young talent within financial limits. Promising development players will be utilised in the senior competitions to temporarily replace players who are injured or unavailable, preparing them for a senior career.
And an innovative new initiative has been designed to encourage young talent to commit to South Africa. A player receiving a contract for the first time to play Super Rugby or PRO14 will automatically commit to make his services available to play rugby in South Africa for a period of three years provided the player’s contract is renewed on the same or better terms on or before a specific date during this time. If such renewal offer is not made to the player on or before the specified date the player will have no obligation to play rugby in South Africa.
This principle is only applicable to players entering the professional rugby playing system from November 2019.
“The major benefit for the player is that it gives him clarity and certainty on his future, rather than the current situation where contracts expire in October with players not knowing if they’ll receive an offer from their franchise or should start looking elsewhere,” said Henning.
If the players is chosen to represent the Springboks in that time, the option clause extends to a fourth year.
Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby said the new contracting approach was designed to create a system to identify, manage and reward the best players to the benefit of the Springboks and the franchises.
“SA Rugby will identify and help nurture young talent from the schoolboy ranks and contribute to their remuneration through the unions,” said Erasmus.
“This way we will have upwards of 60 Players of National Interest involved in Springbok planning in an integrated plan with their contracting union.
“It broadens the Springbok pool and will work to encourage our players to remain in South Africa to pursue their Springbok dream. It also gives the national coaches the opportunity to work with the franchise coaches on honing the players’ skills on an on-going basis.”
The new model has already been agreed by SAREO members and will take effect at the start of the new contracting cycle at the end of the 2019 season.
@revolverocelot (Comment 113) : for the most part this seems a good idea
@SeanJeff (Comment 112) : Will have to buy him out of the last year…
Groundhog day again. Cant wait for next year for the yearly quater final snot klap. Amateur union achieving absolutely nothing. Ref was bad though in mitigation.
@pastorshark (Comment 101) : Commiserations for such a disappointing season man. And it is about to get worse as the Sharks are set to lose the most influential players.
On the positive side, some fantastic junior players in the ranks. Dunno ??????? if the Sharks will keep them, as this is sure to impact on finances too. Sharks had the players to perform this year. Next year could get ugly.
Cheetahs had there ugly rebuild season, hoping we can crack the semi’s next Pro14 season
@KingCheetah (Comment 117) : a lot of good players at the union so we should be fine next year but not good enough to challenge for the title. Big loss will be Botha and oosthuisen otherwise largely unchanged team. 1) Schoeman 2) Van Vuuren 3) Thomas/Meyer 4) Van Heereden 5) Andrews 6) Stringer 7) Jean luc 8) Dan 9) Wright 10) Bosch 11) Mapimpi 12) Esterhuisen 13) Am 14) Ward 15) Fassi
@Byron Wright (Comment 118) : Give that team to any French or New Zealand coach and they will amaze
@jdolivier (Comment 119) : i agree that with a decent coach and maybe a year or two more experience we can be awesome
@KingCheetah (Comment 117) : personally think it’s time to cut loose all the players that want to leave. Use that money to contract the youngsters that want to play for the Sharks. Rather build a team that want to play for the jersey than guys who are just staying to see out their contracts before heading abroad for the money!
Don’t want to say i told you so BUT i did tell you so! i mentioned at the beginning of the tornament that the lack of continuity is going to hamper us. Added to this was the possibility of overseas players carrying injuries and niggles negatively impacting on the season which it did. Off course, it did not help that we have a coach who is suited more for CC rugby.
The superrugby is not benefitting SA rugby. We need to dump this competition in favour of NH rugby primarily for the financial benefit. King Cheetah had mentioned before that the Heiniken cup is where the real money is . We need to enter our top 4 SA teams into the NH rugby calender and each union must contract their players for 4 years (not allowed to exit from their contracts willy nilly as is the present case). Suggestion would be to contract youngsters as well who can still join any other team after their 4 year stint and make mega bucks for their retirement.
With this type of continuity, we will be able to start competing for a top 4 place (and thus enter the Heiniken cup) after the 2nd year. We will then have mega sponsorship money and mega competition money to compete with the other teams in the NH and maintain the core structure of the team.
Cheetahs and the remaining unions can compete in the Superrugby with SA rugby contracting all the players and combining unions to pose a stronger challenge in the competition. Easier said than done i know but we really need to find a strategy to ensure a greater influx of money into SA rugby and Superrugby IS NOT THE ANSWER.
@dawj (Comment 122) : Super rugby was killed by the greed of administrators that just worried about getting more money and not about developing a long term sustainable top class competition!
I still belief Super rugby should reward top teams of each country (SA, Oz &NZ) for finishing on top of their countries league and should work basically the same as the Heineken Cup. No team is guaranteed a spot it is earned by performing in Currie Cup, Mitre Cup etc.
@Byron Wright (Comment 118) : Aren’t the du Preez bros heading overseas?
@JD (Comment 121) : I hear you, but it takes at least two seasons of continuity to achieve some success. And then the youngsters that develop are head hunted. I fear SA rugby is in a no win situation. We simply can’t compete with the cash flush overseas clubs. A rethink is required as to selecting boks. We can no longer afford to not pick our best regardless of where they play. Unpatriotic maybe, but realistic.
@KingCheetah (Comment 124) : Robert has signed a full time contract for Sale sharks, we will still have JL and Dan next year as they have only signed on to play in England for Sale for the period between the WC and the start of SR
That type of schedule worked out very poorly for RobJnr as you can see in this year’s SR he was a shadow of the player he was for us in his first season of SR at the sharks.
Hopefully we get BJVR, since Rob Jnr is leaving, we need more FH back up, right now all we have is Bosch (who we still need to agree a new contract with), ryno Smith, young Koster, and possibly Inny Radebe (who is maybe the best attacking FH I have ever seen play for us)
@KingCheetah (Comment 125) : we are to rugby what Brazil/Arg/Chile are to football
@Byron Wright (Comment 118) : why no Nkosi?
I wonder if we will keep all four of our killer centre’s AM, Andre, Ward, louw
You do need depth though
@revolverocelot (Comment 127) : I wouldn’t throw Brazil in there ….. They actually have silver trophies in the cupboard
In both the Jaguares game at Kings Park and the QF the Sharks dominated possession and territory and yet still find themselves at the wrong end of large scores. I guess one positive this year is that the Sharks can manage to hold onto the ball for longer. But we really need to find ways to break down defenses – our attack is totally predictable.
@byron (Comment 129) : so do we
When last has Brazil won a WC or a Copa America?
@KingCheetah (Comment 125) : exactly lock them in with decent contracts for 3-5 years. Couple of really good young Sharks at under 20 World cup that can benefit from other players leaving for greener pastures!
@Bokhoring (Comment 130) : slow ball is not all that hard to defend!!! Need to play with more pace to create space!!!
@revolverocelot (Comment 131) : 2002 swc and 2007 CA… And they won gold in the last Olympic games
@Bokhoring (Comment 130) : were attacking from too deep… Our backline sits 15m behind play.. Gives too much time to manout
That was coach firing performance if ever I’ve seen one.
Great to see Frans Steyn and Marcel Coetzee at the Bok camp
@Bokhoring (Comment 137) : Yes. And Reinach. Can anyone confirm if what Mike Greenaway is saying about RDP no longer being Sharks coach is true or not.
I also see Jaden H and JJ vd Mescht made the u20 world cup team of the tournament. Great stuff. I can definitely see Cam Wright moving on soon unfortunately
The Reality of the situation is that with the schedule we had in the quality of the squad we should have won our conference or ended fourth on the combined log (though sports almost never works like that)
So I’d rather see Rob SNR leave as the players are not responding to his coaching IMHO
@revolverocelot (Comment 140) : Do you think the quality of our squad is going to be reflected in the Bok squad?
Anyway, to the team and coaches, hard luck Im sure you all tried your best and gave of your best.
@sudhir (Comment 138) : I think its the race baiters wishful thinking (at this stage)
@revolverocelot (Comment 128) : Just an oversight of course nkosi on the right wing
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 141) : Nope, but m ore of that is form,and the fact that rassie will pick a fair fwew from overseas
From this years Sharks SR squad that will be in the mix for the WC (baring injury) I’d predict
Akker
JLDP
DAN
Nkosi
Mampimpi
Possibly Bosch
Beast
Tank
Coenie
Andre
Am
anyone else?
@Byron Wright (Comment 118) : @Byron Wright (Comment 144) :
So baring more departures and assuming everyone’s injury free: 2020 Sharks SR team (NB: We will need to resign Bosch as I hear his contract is coming to an end and WP were sniffing around, do they even have the money, and we need to sign a back up FH for SR season, lets see who emerges from the very short CC)
1) Schoeman
2) Van Vuuren
3) Thomas
4) Van Heereden
5) Andrews
6) Stringer
7) Jean luc
8) Dan
9) Wright
10) Bosch
11) Mapimpi
12) Esterhuisen
13) Am
14) Nkosi
15) Fassi
16) Mthatha/Burden/??
17) Beast
18) Jonny Meyer
19) Gideon K
20) Pepsi
21) LS or anyone of a number of options
22) Ryno Smith, Inny Radebe, Get April back? get Stander? get ben10 back?
23) Louw/Ward/VanWyk
Greenspan writes that Du Preez will undergo a formal review before any action is taken: https://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/super-rugby/sharks-have-plenty-of-young-talent-going-into-new-season-27380171. On a positive note, the backline is staying put for 2020, and names bandied about for coaches are old favourites, Muir, Bashford and Everitt.
*Greenaway … Greenspan thanks to autocorrect. We don’t need former chairman of the Federal reserve to comment about Sharks rugby.
I’m like a kid in a long car trip, but instead of asking ‘are we there yet?’ I’m thinking, is Du Preez out yet? He probably intended well, was simply reactive under pressure and perhaps closed to ideas not his own.
@revolverocelot (Comment 145) : I think thats probably about right but Akker has done very little in the past 2 months to warrant a look in (an in form Akker is another story) I feel JLdP may also need a consistant run of game time to also warrant a look in.
@revolverocelot (Comment 146) : Think that is a pretty accurate side and there are good players there. The biggest concern as you say is at 10 where we could have only Ryno Smit and I don’t think any top side should have less than three players available to play 10.
@revolverocelot (Comment 146) : If Greenaway is right Schreuder and Bosch will be back for 2020, Ive heard that Schreuder is probably on his way to the Kings again and also WP looking at getting Bosch.
On the other hand if reports in Rapport are correct then it looks as if WPRU are so financially hamstrung that there will probably a wholesale sell off of players from that union so who knows who we may be able to pick up there.
@SeanJeff (Comment 147) : Greenway is using some really flowery language (something Greenspan would never do :razz:) – “Grant Bashford, an exceptional coach”, “brilliant Sean Everitt”
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 152) : @Byron Wright (Comment 151) : The Pumas starting 10 for the past two season Chris Smith looks a decent option if we can get from them, not sure how iron clad they made his contract, he did train with the Bulls in SR as 10 cover.
As much as I liked the idea of us getting LS at first it hasn’t seemed to have worked out, his service is so slow, opposition defense seems to settle before we get going IMHO
Would be sad is Cam left
Seems the shorter faster 9’s are the way forward in Rugby again IMHO, I’ve met LS, His a standup guy
Yes WP’s financial worries are actually helping the cheetahs and Kings, Kings are slowly putting together a decent side, still feel they won’t make the pro14 playoffs in the coming season, but if they continue to build, maybe the next season, I figure they will get more wins in the 2019/2020 season
@SeanJeff (Comment 147) :
There’s a lot to be optomistic about once Rob departs
Even if we don’t win this year CC I will still be looking forward to SR 2020 with a new format of the tournament
@revolverocelot (Comment 154) : Bulls are losing Pollard. They will be in the market for another flyhalf
@Bokhoring (Comment 156) : Bulls already replaced Pollard with Morne Steyn.
Maybe Libbok might be willing to move if over looked again
The u20 FH Mollentze also looks like a good prospect.
@sudhir (Comment 159) : James Mollentze
GP: Centre/FH
H: 181cm
W: 100kg
STUD: B Comm
Agreed
@sudhir (Comment 158) : sounds like a plan, would love to get him
Although he is very similar to Bosch, I like contrasting options
@revolverocelot (Comment 161) : How does he rate defensively vs Bosch? At 100 kg he should be big enough to tackle aggressively and not be worried about injuries
@Bokhoring (Comment 162) : I think its Libbok that is very similar to Bosch, not the 100kg Mollentze.
Is Mollentze with the Sharks?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 163) : Mollentze is with Free State I believe
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 163) : Mixed up the posts – was thinking about Mollentze
@SheldonK (Comment 164) : Yep, he played varsity cup for Shimlas, is he coming to us?
Libbok has made 24 tackles in 311 minutes playing time – 13 minutes between tackles (Pollard at 12 minutes between tackles). Better than Rob Jr (15 minutes) and Bosch (42 minutes)
@Bokhoring (Comment 167) : Got to love stats without context
Id love to see a tackle stat for missed tackles that result in a linebreak, or completed tackles that result in a turnover. Now those would be value added. Not having a go at the comment, its actually quite interesting, just had stats without context in general.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 166) : Not that im aware of, if I were him id stay at Free State, played Pro14 and possibly catch the eye of a euro team there.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 163) : Correct I replied to the Libbok post saying his similar to bosch
@Bokhoring (Comment 165) : Mistakes happen, no worries
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 166) : Not that we know of, We are just discussing the merits of possible FH recruits for next years SR and he was suggested, or maybe we can get someone earlier and he can play some CC for us allowing him to adapt to durbs and the team.
Our FH options are thin at present: Bosch, Koster, Inny Radebe (could be injured), Ryno Smith…
Suggested option to recruit thus far
Mollentze
Libbok
Garth April (if fit)
Stander
any others?
@SheldonK (Comment 168) : I am sure the teams use detail stats like that – not available to all of us.
@Bokhoring (Comment 171) : Ive seen the range of stats they have available. Lots are tailormade based the coaches request but many are linked to video clips to give them context. The full range of what is available is quite crazy, like pages and pages of stuff.
@revolverocelot (Comment 170) : Scary thought if those are the suggested options at 10 😯 2 guys from varsity cup impressed me – that Dobela from Shimlas and then the Maties 12 (Smit i think)who I feel could be a good 10. I still would like to see Cameron Wright run at 10…
@SheldonK (Comment 172) : I don’t need detailed tackling stats to see from Libbok’s and Bosch’s overall tackling rates that they are not actually very similar players defensively.
@SheldonK (Comment 173) : Cam did play at 10 in 1 or 2 Currie Cup games, but I can’t recall how he did
Libbok and Bosch were the junior Boks 10 and 15 when Ward was captain. They combined very well and used to switch between FB and FH a lot during matches.
@SheldonK (Comment 173) : I’m also a fan of Dobela, he looks to have a lot of potential.
@sudhir (Comment 176) : On attack they did combine well, but on defence it was open gates and I remember the junior Boks really struggling with that in that tournament.
@Bokhoring (Comment 174) : Ditto that.
@SheldonK (Comment 173) : I think Stonehouse beat you to it, If Im not mistaken that Smit(h) turned out for the Pumas at 10 in the SS Challenge Cup.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 180) : Isnt that a different guy though, they had a Chris Smit at 10 last year, very useful player. The guy im thinking of is a bit of a tall rangy guy that played 12 for Maties in this years Varsity Cup but has a very good skillset and distribution. Currie Cup in a world cup year is always interesting as depends who is available after Bok call ups and departs due to no Bok call up
@SheldonK (Comment 181) :Not sure now. Seems the Pumas guy was with Maties last year, this years Maties Chris is apparently now with Griquas.
@SheldonK (Comment 181) : Chris Smit from Maties has already signed with Griquas
I know another 2 Chris Smit(h)s, but they are in Wakkerstroom and probably about 90 and 80 now.
Chris Smith also played for Maties in 2017 I think
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 182) : @Bokhoring (Comment 183) : Ah ok pity, good acquisition by Griquas, will be interesting to see how they fare in the CC.
I really do believe that the Sharks need to quickly invest/figure out their depth ahead of next year with the new contracting model coming into place. So with that in mind I believe we should use this CC to see who has the ability to step up and perform. So in backing the youngsters amongst some old heads id look to the following side:
1. Schoeman 2. Van Vuuren 3. DuToit 4. Van Der Mescht 5. Van Heerden 6. Stringer 7. Paul 8. Buthelezi 9. Wright 10. Bosch 11. Smith 12. Louw 13. Ward 14. Zas 15. Fassi
Bench: Majola, Burden, Meyer, Andrews, Richardson, Hendrikse, Radebe, Van Wyk
In case anyone is interested, Grant Khomo week has been happening… Our Sharks lads weren’t given a chance before the week started by most on the SBR website. So far they’re 2 from 2. Beat Border very convincingly on Monday and SWD today by 7.
@Karl (Comment 188) : thanks for the update, may I ask, what does “SBR” stand for
@revolverocelot (Comment 189) : School boy rugby 😉
@Karl (Comment 188) : Yes I saw that, also the under 13s doing very well.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 191) : Will be interesting to see how the u18 Craven Week side fares as for the first time in a few years Glenwood doesn’t dominate the side and its quite an array of players from various schools.
@Karl (Comment 190) : Thanks for the feedback
@SheldonK (Comment 187) : that’s a solid match 23
Although in the last two CC seasons match 23’s were only allowed after the round robin stage. We will have to take that into account.
With the Player available I would go for this Match 23
1. Schoeman 2. Van Vuuren 3. DuToit 4. Van Heerden 5. Andrews 6. Stringer 7. Paul 8. Buthelezi 9. Wright 10. Bosch 11.Mvovo 12. Louw 13. Ward 14. Van Wyk 15. Fassi
Bench:16.Burden/Mthatha ,17.Majola,18.Meyer ,19.Van Der Mescht ,20.Richardson ,21.LS ,22.Radebe, 23.Zas
Note: I put JJ on the bench, I start Mvovo and Van Wyk at wing, Zas drops to the bench.
Note: My match 22 would be the same, undecided which bench prop to drop, big fan of both Majola and Meyer.
@SheldonK (Comment 192) : True, they are going to have a very hard time to match last years side – they were very good,I managed to watch them at Craven Week in Paarl last year and there was a lot of talent there, they played in the feature game on the last Saturday but were blown away by WP in very wet conditions.They did manage 2 good wins against Bull and Free State.Big boots to fill but its also pleasing that the talent is spread across the province. That being said the Glenwood side of last year was exceptional and a pleasure to watch.
@revolverocelot (Comment 193) : What is the logic behind the 22 man squad. Is there any logic behind it?
@revolverocelot (Comment 193) : Yeh id be happy with that side as well. Just feel we need to have a proper look at our youngsters and whether they can make the step up.
Still feel its incredibly short sighted to have 22man squads…I do like the rolling subs idea that was introduced in SS rugby challenge though.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 194) : I have a feeling the KZN side will struggle as no KZN school features in the Top20 this year
@SheldonK (Comment 197) : Hopefully the sum of all the parts will make them at least competitive – always a challenge for a coach bringing diverse players together at short notice.
This is how it’s done: https://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/super-rugby/cooper-steps-down-as-chiefs-coach-a-year-early-27738043…Cooper guided the Chiefs to 2 consecutive playoffs but knows the time is right to move on ‘for the good of the team’. I don’t like the Chiefs, or any kiwi side, but this is really how it should be done. The team is more important than the individual.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 195) : The thesis to having a match 22 in the round robin as explained by SA Rugby is to reduce the monopoly of quality props at bigger unions that also double as SR and Pro14 franchises.
So SA Rugby feels that doing this will encourage a broader spread of talent and discourages bigger unions from hoarding the best young prop talent, and makes it more likely that players will choose to go to for example: Griquas and start every game, as opposed to playing off the bench or not making the match 22 at a bigger unions.
How effective it is, is up for debate.
I guess I can see the pros and cons.
@SheldonK (Comment 196) : Fair point about playing the youngsters.
I seem to remember rolling subs in last years CC, I may be mistaken.
@revolverocelot (Comment 200) : Fair enough but does SARU stipulate what positions make up the match 22 ie do they say that there may only be 3 props in the team 22. Anyway this years Currie Cup are the Super Rugby teams plus Cheetahs, Pumas and Griquas and I think all 3 of the non Super RugbyTeams can handle themselves come scrum time and will in fact give better than they get. I remember Puma and Griqua scrums destroying our Sharks scrum in years gone by.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 201) : Good question: there are no stipulations on which position of players on the bench. though last year’s CC we went with one prop. some teams went with two in the matchday 22.
I know this comment is a wee bit late…been on youth camps…but I did want to say this: I know RdP has been blasted on this site and some of the criticism is valid…but Mike Greenaway’s piece last Sunday about Roach du Preez was just unprofessional. If we are going to blast du Preez for his demeanour and choice of dealing with criticism at press conferences (and at the very least I am prepared to say that it wasn’t good and it wasn’t the way to go), then it has to be said that Greenaway just displayed mind-boggling immaturity and a crazy level lack of professionalism. Can these adults just not control their emotions or what is going on? Respect lost…
@pastorshark (Comment 203) : 100% agreed
@pastorshark (Comment 203) : Very true. In terms of RDP id just love to know what happened that caused him to return to almost Jake White rugby where its all about the forwards and out muscling an opponent to win. When he first started we saw the Sharks move the ball and try to be a bit more adventurous. Yes there were a lot of handling errors and tries conceded from turnovers so I just wonder if that was the cause or if it was something else…because its a pattern with the last few Sharks coaches and their game plans and selections.
@SheldonK (Comment 205) : my personal take on it is “playing not to lose”. The fear of losing is so great that you forget to play to win! Pressure on players and coaches can easily cause this to happen especially if you are uncertain if you will be fired or dropped for not “producing the results” that fans and management demand.
Thinking of this now can also explain why the Sharks have a “habit” of playing better when they’re the underdogs. Losing to the Saders and co is almost “expected” so the fear of losing is gone and players (and coaches) can play freely as losing will not raise any eyebrows. On the flip side losing to the Bulls, Reds etc is not “tolerated” by fans (and management) as the Sharks are seen as better or at least equal to them. It’s then that the fear of failure takes over resulting in nervous and “conservative” rugby with the matching results that we see!
@JD (Comment 206) : Whilst I don’t think that may be the entire reason I fully agree that the “fear of losing” plays a major role in the thinking definitely.
And in other news, Sean Everitt has been announced as the Currie Cup coach…
@Culling Song (Comment 208) : And will be assisted by David Williams and Nick Easter.
I like this 😀 😀 😀
‘Sean is an astute coach with strong communication skills,’ Sharks CEO Gary Teichmann said. ‘We are confident that his experience and success with the junior teams will be hugely beneficial during this campaign, especially considering the young and hugely talented squad that has been assembled.’
@Culling Song (Comment 208) : @Choochi (Comment 209) : Interesting. Wonder what the future holds for RDP and our other forwards coach, name escapes me now
Not a bad move to See how Sean does in the CC he has been around the sharks structures for a while.
We will need a defense coach though.
@SheldonK (Comment 211) : Jaco Pienaar
@pastorshark (Comment 203) : I can only think Mike has been the victim of a body snatcher by the name of Mark Keohane
@Bokhoring (Comment 213) : That’s the chap…no mention of him during press release
@SheldonK (Comment 205) : The Sharks have definitely made efforts to hold onto the ball for longer this year – I believe we now top the stat for SA teams in putting together 7+ phases. The problem is that we doing it very predictably, slow speed, behind the advantage line and hardly any momentum
@SheldonK (Comment 215) : From the way we have been performing in set pieces – no great loss
@Bokhoring (Comment 217) : Nope, and hopefully this means Easter takes a bigger role
@SheldonK (Comment 207) : for sure it’s a very “simplistic” look at it and I also think there’s other reasons most of us do not know and probably will never know. Really just hope the powers that be can sort it out soon!!!
@pastorshark (Comment 203) : Greenaway, in my view, lost all credibility when he painted Du Preez as a racist in one of his articles. Being a journalist he will know very well what an allegation like that can do to a person and his family,especially in this country. Reckless and immature and mind boggling as you pointed out.
Do you get a lower form of life than a cockroach?
@Culling Song (Comment 208) : @Choochi (Comment 209) : I think Rob senior will actually be relieved by this. Im sure he probably wouldnt mind being out of the headlights for a while.
Im glad for Everit, he had a great run with the juniors and I think its just rewards for someone that has been around for a good while. Not at all sad to see that Ricardo Loubscher is gone as the backline (with heaps of talent) was a big let down as was our attack so we will see if Williams on his own can make a dfference, histiry with other teams seems to indicate that he can. Not sure what to think of Pienaar not being there but I dont see it as a negative and as for Braam van Straaten Im also not that sure as our defence was at times brilliant and at other times really loose and iffy.