Jouba: Sharks have learnt
21 Oct 2008
Former Bok fullback Andre Joubert believes the experience of last year’s Super 14 defeat will benefit the Sharks in Saturday’s final at Kings Park.
The climax of the 2007 southern hemisphere showpiece will be remembered for Bryan Habana’s injury-time try and a remarkable Bulls comeback. However, the Durban faithful will look back at it as a case of the Sharks not killing off the match and losing it, rather than the Bulls orchestrating a victory.
Frans Steyn failed to convert Albert van den Berg’s try to hand them an eight-point lead, while Steyn also failed to put the ball out when the hooter had sounded. A penalisable offence from the Bulls at ruck-time went unnoticed by referee Steve Walsh, and the Sharks were left to rue what could have been.
Joubert, the World Cup-winning No 15 in 1995 as well as the rock at the back in the Sharks’ last Absa Currie Cup title a year later, believes the Super 14 final will be a painful reminder of why they won’t want to lose again.
“The Sharks have lost a few finals since ’96, but the one that will upset them the most would be last year’s,” Joubert told keo.co.za. “They will realise how one or two mistakes cost you, and how after all your hard work you can be left with nothing.
“The loss would have left a bad taste in the mouth, while the experience of knowing what that felt like won’t be great. They would’ve learnt from that, and won’t want to let it happen again,” said Joubert.
The presence of World Cup-winners from Paris last year will aid both teams, and Joubert feels these players and their leadership will be key. The Sharks can claim eight World Champions in their 22, while the Bulls are just edged as they hold seven players from that Bok squad.
“They may be different matches at different grounds with different crowds, but a final is a final. It is the same thing with the same atmosphere and the same tensions, so having those players will benefit both squads as the World Cup-winners give them balance. It just shows how much the Boks improve the standard,” said Joubert.
The Rolls Royce of fullbacks scored two tries in the Sharks’ 33-15 victory over Transvaal in ’96, and he believes the role of the respective 15s on Saturday will be even more important under the ELVs.
“In finals, the first thing I wanted to do was always to get my forwards onto the front foot. The packs are the most important aspects in finals, and you’ve got to tire the opposition by turning them around with clever kicks. You obviously have to score when the opportunity comes and try and make the defence guess by varying your play,” he said.
In the battle of the fullbacks Joubert believes the experience of Stefan Terblanche could give the Sharks an advantage in the quest for territorial ascendancy. “I think Stefan has been the best fullback in the country this year because he’s a great decision-maker. He is always positive and varies his kicking and running games. Zane Kirchner is a young, talented guy but he hasn’t been in an event like this before.”
By Grant Ball
137 Comments
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21 Oct 2008, 13:33 pm
dragons!!!!!!!!!!
21 Oct 2008, 13:35 pm
knock knock
Whose there?
Aspersie
Aspersie who?
Aspersie net geskop het…….
21 Oct 2008, 13:38 pm
Joubert feels these players and their leadership will be key.
Yes, which is why the Sharks should start with Smit.
I must be the only person in SA who believes Bismarck is just a tad overrated.
21 Oct 2008, 13:38 pm
# XhosaKid:
Congrats Xhosa, your first?
21 Oct 2008, 13:41 pm
yup we need Smits experience
21 Oct 2008, 13:42 pm
#3 PissAnt: Agree with you PA, think they need Smits steadiness and calmness,
21 Oct 2008, 13:42 pm
“A penalisable offence from the Bulls at ruck-time went unnoticed”
Just a pity no-one wants to admint the Sharks stole the ball illegally first. Bulls just stole it back. Nuff said.
21 Oct 2008, 13:46 pm
First of all i can’t believe stefan terblanche is still playing rugby. It just kicked in
21 Oct 2008, 13:50 pm
#7 Darquan: It is called selective memory……has amazed me since the s14 final last year………….
21 Oct 2008, 13:51 pm
I really can’t believe natal just won it 4 times since 1889.
21 Oct 2008, 13:54 pm
#10 Wezwp: I know, it actually seems so unlikely…….
21 Oct 2008, 13:55 pm
#3 PissAnt: I would rather have Smith on the field for the last 30 min , especially if it’s a close game. The Sharks will need his leadership and calmness under pressure towards the end of the game. I’m not convinced that Smith can last a full 81,5 min. Smith was not on the field at the end of the Super14 final last year and if he was the situation might have been a lot different
21 Oct 2008, 14:01 pm
#3 PissAnt: Agree with you , i would also start with smith , they can’t start without him. He’s a bluddy good captain. I said it before if the sharks keep playing in the bulls half they going to win this game. Morne will have to on form , if not it’s for the Sharks to take it.
21 Oct 2008, 14:02 pm
#3 PissAnt: Make that two of us. Smit will be the key to this match.
21 Oct 2008, 14:02 pm
#12 pokkel:
Well he has had a long rest, no reason he cant play for 80 otherwise I will ask serious questions of the Sharks coaching team.
21 Oct 2008, 14:05 pm
Another question – do you guys think that there are still guys ‘down south’ who believe that Schalk Brits is the best 2 in SA…
21 Oct 2008, 14:06 pm
#16 Kerneels:
Did not believe it two years ago, and still don’t.
21 Oct 2008, 14:06 pm
Both Bissy & John Barney Smit are better hookers than Kuun…. fact…
21 Oct 2008, 14:08 pm
#18 grootblousmile: stem saam, but htat is cos he was forced bcos of injury etc to play hooker……
#16 Kerneels: have never really rated him
21 Oct 2008, 14:08 pm
#15 PissAnt: If I recall correctly he had a groin injury which would have prevented him from running for a while.He is looking a bit ‘stocky’ at the moment. OK he did manage 80 min against the Griquas. I would still start him on the bench. Bismarck can soften them up and he can come on any time should things go wrong. Just my opinion, but I really would want him there at the end .
21 Oct 2008, 14:09 pm
#18 grootblousmile:
I am a better hooker than Kuun, and I never played there.
21 Oct 2008, 14:09 pm
#3 PissAnt: Agree PissAnt they need John’s leadership for Saturday.
21 Oct 2008, 14:10 pm
#20 pokkel:
Finals are funny things, I reckon a leader’s value is more important in the opening stanza than the final minutes. Just from personal experience.
21 Oct 2008, 14:11 pm
#18 grootblousmile: lol. Hows the vibe in PTA? Here in Durbs cars are already waving the Sharks flags and people from tomorrow are going to start to wear their Sharks jersey. Then of course on Friday we will have a army load of Bull supporters here in there blue kits. Good vibe here gbs.
21 Oct 2008, 14:14 pm
#24 Puma: We are amongst you already…like in a sci-fi movie. Look for the guy in the blue tie… (dramatic Rex-just-said something-sinister Egoli music in the background)
21 Oct 2008, 14:14 pm
#23 PissAnt: Do you think that if Smith starts that he would captain he Sharks?
21 Oct 2008, 14:16 pm
#24 Puma: I’m not in Pretoria, so don’t know what the vibe is like…… will be in Pretoria tomorrow…. will report back afterwards.
PS! Do you think it’s OK to wear my Bloubul jersey to my brother’s wedding on Saturday….. it’s a genuine Gilbert after all ??
21 Oct 2008, 14:22 pm
An NB aspect of John’s leadership is his “referee-management”
Jonathan Kaplan has quite a no-nonsense approach as a referee. Victor Matfield’s body language and facial expressions will be key. He could find himself on the wrong side of 50-50 calls, just because of that.
John is always friendly yet relentless. Always checking something, reminding the ref of something or just generally having a nice chat with the ref. He almost positions himself as the ref’s mate. It will be interesting to see how Plum handles this.
21 Oct 2008, 14:23 pm
#27 grootblousmile: Clearly your brother does’nt know much about rugby if he gets married on CC final day. Jeez!
21 Oct 2008, 14:25 pm
#29 Die Griek: Absobleedinglutely…..shocking is all I can say, could have got married one week later or one week earlier
21 Oct 2008, 14:26 pm
#27 grootblousmile: Why not!!! lol. You better have it on if you team wins. Anyway let me know the vibe back in your city when you get back there. The vibe here is getting better all the time.
21 Oct 2008, 14:27 pm
#26 pokkel:
I would be surprised if this was not the case, but his mere leadership on the park is enough.
Sentiment might leave Muller captain.
21 Oct 2008, 14:27 pm
#29 Die Griek: I think I bliksemmed him too much and too often when he was young…….
Think they’ll have to play that song of ***** (Robbie Wessels) – Wie reel ‘n troue op ‘n Final… when they walk into the Reception Hall……… hehehe
I’ve already punished him… we had his bachelors on Saturday AND Sunday !
Heeeee haaaaaaaaaa
21 Oct 2008, 14:28 pm
#25 Kerneels: lol.
21 Oct 2008, 14:29 pm
#29 Die Griek: I think I moerrrrred him too much and too often when he was young…….
Think they’ll have to play that song of Robbie Wessels (P03NA) – Wie reel ‘n troue op ‘n Final… when they walk into the Reception area……… hehehe
I’ve already punished him… we had his bachelors on Saturday AND Sunday !
Heeeee haaaaaaaaaa
21 Oct 2008, 14:31 pm
Why the Bulls didn’t sign Smit when he was looking for a contract earlier this year, I would never know. Now the Sharks have two GREAT hookers, while the Bulls have – Kuun!!
#32 PissAnt: Still you have to respect Smit’s captaincy abilities, especially in Finals.
21 Oct 2008, 14:32 pm
#27 grootblousmile: as long as its genuine – may I suggest some blue shoes to match…
21 Oct 2008, 14:33 pm
EEE #30
I got married on the CC final a while back. Thank goodnes I was in curch at the time, because Naas licked Transvaal with his numerous drop goals. Have never liked him since then. At least Brian Mitchell won his first world title that night.
Get the guys at the venue to tape the match.
21 Oct 2008, 14:36 pm
#37 gunther: Blue undies, blue socks, blue shoes, blue jeans………. ALLES IS BLOU !
Al wat ek wil sien is die BLOU MASJIEN !
21 Oct 2008, 14:37 pm
#30 EEE: Sê ek ook mos….. uiters SWAK beplanning !
21 Oct 2008, 14:39 pm
Prooooooovince!
21 Oct 2008, 14:40 pm
Surley the heading should be:
Jouba: I ****** hope that the Sharks have learnt
21 Oct 2008, 14:40 pm
#39 grootblousmile: You don’t make ANY wedding plans until the currie cup schedule is released. My missus had to wait until after schedule was released before we could set the wedding date. Weekend after the final is perfect, it won’t clash with any of the end of year tour matches either. Otherwise you just have a bunch of mates who aren’t just pissed but pissed off as well
21 Oct 2008, 14:41 pm
#28 Sheriff: ah yes but John is no match for Victor when it comes to facial hair..
21 Oct 2008, 14:43 pm
#43 Boelie: Little boetie is’nt a rugby supporter…….. can you imagine it….. the brother of GBS is NOT A RUGBY SUPPORTER……… eishhhhhhh, skande in die familie !
Dit sou beter gewees het as hy MOES trou !
Hehehe
21 Oct 2008, 14:43 pm
#35 BloemBull: Just pleased that the Bulls were a bit slow there in signing John. Think he will captain the Sharks again next year. Well hoping as Plum seems to be a faithful type and he may give the captains role to Muller this Saturday but think John really should be captain this Saturday.
21 Oct 2008, 14:44 pm
#44 grootblousmile: lol. Does he support any sport team then? Maybe a cricket supporter? lol. Wear your Bulls shirt on Saturday that should teach him to get married on the cc final day.
21 Oct 2008, 14:45 pm
#44 grootblousmile: It could have been worse, he could have been a WP supporter.
21 Oct 2008, 14:45 pm
The Sharks should start with John if they are to have any use for his leadership abilities. The Bulls will wrap this one up in 60 minutes. 33 – 21 for the Bulls.
21 Oct 2008, 14:47 pm
#44 grootblousmile: Dit kon erger gewees het. Hy kon met ‘n WP ondersteuner getrou het
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